Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Public Places















The public park is full after school. After-school goes on until dark. These boys filled the bench. After I took the shot, a boy said, 'Isn't that against the law?' 'Not in a public place,' I answered, identifying myself as a writer and blogger. 'Freedom of the press,' another boy said. We talked for a while about public and private. 'It would be against the law if I took your picture in a private place without your permission,' I said. They asked me about taking pictures of famous people. They didn't express any interest in being famous themselves and weren't interested in seeing the picture of themselves. They wanted to discuss ideas.

I like public pleasures--frangipani, sea grape, palm, park benches, beaches open to all, though I wish my fellow citizens would not litter the beach. These boys should have access to fine public schools, public universities. They have access to the park, to flowers, to the ocean, to a first-rate swimming pool, and tennis courts--all public.











































































14 comments:

  1. What a 'corner stone / bench' of hope.

    Over here one either sends kids to private or public schools, visit either public or private a hospital / doctor. With public sector being nearly out of money, too many times on strike, a challenge indeed.

    Please have a good Thursday.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. hank you, S.T.

    Robert: I thought so too--about the boys. Here in the States it's mostly against the law for public employees to strike. Given the recent stepped up attack on public employees, they eventually may choose to break those laws. As a state worker, I went out on the picket line but still went to work with my colleagues. Difficulties here too but so far not the crisis you're experiencing in Greece.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mim, I love that your photo-taking resulted in interesting discussion with these young boys... I just scrolled down to your photos, I think there is a terrible tarantula or sth huge down below and I am slightly traumatised! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. nmj--those thorns grow on certain palm trees, Giant spiny tarantula legs: I see those legs now because you have. The boys were super, so lively and bright. Sending warm wishes to you in cool Scotland.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Now I'Ve been trying to find those tarantula legs...I didn't.
    But instead I found a hidden man, a face and part of the body, like a graffiti, at the last photo. can you see it? (on the left side, below) I love those hidden faces; I've got one on a wall in my appartement, and for this reason I never paint the wall at that spot.

    and 'bench of hope'... nicely said!
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Smilla saw the reflection of Mim the photographer and her camera in what appears to be glass in the background. (In the next to last photo) You can see the camera too. Good eye!, Smilla!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Smilla: I do see something that may suggest a human shape. You must know those hidden faces in Atget's photos. They seem almost alive, when the photos are often so still.

    Bluedog: I don't see myself. Mysterious: what we see and don't.

    Who knows what will show up today. Thanks for taking a peep!

    ReplyDelete
  9. i so enjoy these posts, mim--even though it is definitely time for you to return to New England (the snow is *almost* gone!), i still get a thrill form your brightly colored, sunshiney pix. and i love the populace that you are drawn to...so exotic by Maine standards.
    love,
    susan

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello, dear Susan--No granite here that I know of but plenty of of lush tropical flowers. I'll post more. The Miami mix is the new America, I think. xo from gringo Mim

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sorry, I found the tarantula-type monster below in FAMILY post...

    ReplyDelete
  12. It looks as if they've created a little private bubble for themselves in the public space. Girls keep out!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely glimpse of your corner of the world, Mim. I especially enjoyed the photo of the boys though I'm not surprised they questioned you given the thorough training of Stranger Danger they receive which is good training. If my son were being photographed by a Stranger I'd have piped up you can believe it. I'm glad you stayed and talked to them but I wonder what their parents will think of it. We live in such weird times but not any weirder than any other times. An ex step father tried to abduct me from school when I was in 2nd grade but my brother saw me and grabbed my sweater as I was getting into the car.

    xor

    ReplyDelete