The image I found is that of an electronics store in Akihabara, a really quaint, out of the way, not known about part of that small town called Tokyo. This image works on multiple levels, especially to someone who really loves electronics (such as myself). We can see a vast array of different items on display, all maticulously tagged and priced properly, ordered within a "tiny space". What we don't see IS if this is in actuality a tiny space due to the angle of the camera. This image gives me a claustrophobic feeling making me feel as though all stores like this would be small and jam packed, but for all we know this is one small wall in the world's largest department store (SPOILER: It really isn't.).
The neat thing about this picture though is that at first glass, it is extremely chaotic. Just look at all that stuff shoved in there. But when you give it a second look, realize the order and grouping, and how everything is tagged, you now see order and peace. I find this very interesting because glancing at the image, and then studying the image really give you two seperate feelings. I think the colors in the image also work to this effect. At a glance, you see all that bright yellow paper sticking out at odd angles, which makes you see this image as uneven. But when you study the electronics which do not stick out as well, you see the order. Once you find this order, then look back at the yellow paper, you find that they aren't chaotically sticking out at different angles, but instead acting as children to their parent electronical device, making their positions totally sane and ordered.
I think I lost my train of thought here, but in a nutshell I see this as: An electronics store that offers skin-level chaos within deeper order. The ultimate place where you can learn a bit about yourself and pick up an IPOD Nano. So was this image taken with the ultimate goal of showing us that there is order in madness? Or could it have been done with a deeper, more sinister intention, such as showing someone's trip to an electronics store... you decide.
(Why is my text purple?)
EDIT: ORDER IN MADNESS!? How could I have left out my dear friend who proved there was order in madness!? RAMSEY THEORY.
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ReplyDeleteHow many times must I tell you to stop writing it with dashes? They don't even make sense!
ReplyDeleteGet over here so I can punch you in the face. I'm waiting.
I only write it with dashes because you instructed me to do so. I would never dream of purposely trying to cause mayhem. :)
ReplyDeleteOk, I didn't read the description because it was too long and I didn’t want to be influenced by it. This picture appears like a nice way to turn an everyday life scene into art. I enjoy the humongous amount of electric “stuff”, and its diversity of colors, the names tags are creating a kind of funny pattern. It looks like someone has been piling up everything in order to make it fit in the smallest possible space. The signified might be this fact that in Japan the space is really an issue and the technology plays a important part in the modern society.
ReplyDelete@Vinz
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you there on everything. I hadn't really seen how the mismash of colors really makes an image of its own. Great comment.
I agree as well! If I'm getting the hang of the "signifier" and "signified" concept, I would say that the signifier is electronics and the signified is Huge JUMBLE of STUFF! No, but I would venture that the signified is technology. I don't know. I don't know if I quite get it. But, taking a photo such as this would to me indicate some sort of awe with how many electronics can fit into such a small space, especially for someone who is fond of electronics. The only other place I've ever really seen this is in NYC, and even there there is space between the items to be seen. But this photo does indicate a vast industry of technology. Besides silver, the colors of the electronics are predominantly light pink and dark blue, which I found interesting.
ReplyDeleteAdding on to what Vinz said, you know those puzzles that are images made of smaller images (like this http://www.puzzlesusa.com/mas_assets/full/101215.jpg )? I also feel like if you were to step back far enough you would get the same sort of feeling.
ReplyDeleteBut this is so Akiba- Fitting as much as you can into as much space as you have. Reminds me of those cluttered houses you read about in Japan.
-Claire (Late I know...)