A painfully beautiful book and a moving reason to create. A fitting tribute to her friend and companion, Ben.
The animals are not mere pets to a lot of us, but true companions. When my last dog, Maggie, passed away were on a long hike together. That was 5 years ago and I have not really hiked since. I am feeling I may be ready now, but it will still be hard. To go back out there. Without her. But she loved it so much. She would want me to go again. And remember her.
We have gotten another dog, Luna. She is a great dog - a fox hound. But, as you can understand, she is not Maggie. I hate it that my heart and my mind make the comparison , but it happens. Certain people and pets are just special in our lives and will always be remember differently in our hearts.
Michael, I am sorry you‘ve lost your Maggie. It so hard and devastating to loose them. When Ben died, I thought, I would never be able to visit the places we visited frequently together. I thought, it would hurt too much. But I would have moved to a different city, I would have wanted to avoid all the places we have been together. Step by step, I started to visit these places again. Some were easier than others. I often went alone, so I could cry when I felt like it (which I did). In some places the pain still lingers heavily. It hurts not having him by my side, but the pain softens and the memories of us together it all becomes more bearable. Step by step. All the best to you!
That is very sweet of you, thank you. I am trying to motivate myself for a lot of things. One problem - which has nothing to do with Maggie - is that once you get out of a habit it is hard to get back in. She and I used to walk 2 to 3 miles, at least, every morning. That was a hard habit to start and now that it has been broken for a while it is hard to get back into. I have go to do something though - got to shock myself back into it.
Thank you for the kind words, they really do help.
Oh, I can relate to that so much. Have you ever read Atomic Habits by James Clear? It helped me to built up routine which I found hard to establish. Anyway, all the best to you!
You are a true mensch for this deep dive into Susans Ocean. It is a tenderly conceived creation, for all the reasons you mention. It's good of you to support fellow artists like you do. 👊🏼
Susanne is an amazing artist and a beautiful person. Every single time when I got something from her (we had loads of film swaps) she added something extra in the envelope, a very very nice touch.
Great summary of a particularly powerful book by Susanne! It is hard to imagine what went in to this, given the background! Really well done, Darin and Susanne.
What an amazing tribute! And thank you for doing it. When I went to buy the book it was too late. But you’ve more than made up for at least a survey of such a beautiful tribute! Thank you, Darin and thank you Susanne for sharing an incredible labor of love.
One reason I never buy handmade zines is because I feel I'm not worthy - I could never make a book like this. But maybe if I could at least construct my own, I'd feel like I could join the club.
Hell, Kevin, I don’t think that I could even cut the paper straight, I’m the kid they invented those round-tipped scissors for. I still buy them, when I know the person making the zine.
Holy Moly, Darin! I don‘t know what to say. First my jaw dropped, then my chest started to hurt and then tears started to roll. I am so moved - firstly because you decided to order this book, but also ( and probably even more so) because you took the time to really look closely at my work and write about it here. And not just write a quick review about it, but actually a really deep and on point analysis. I am really blown away. I can‘t thank you enough for this. You really have a talent for this.
I didn‘t make the coonection, that it was the oceans where it all started, but I like that thought. With the constant rising of the sea level - Maybe that‘s where it all will end, too?
Btw. I usually keep all those treasures I find. But I decided to send a little something with every order of this book, so every buyer would have their own treasure connected to the sea, the book and the passage of time.
I am also so delighted, that you noticed the packaging. I know, not everyone cares about stuff like this, but for me it is a great way to show my gratitude. I once bought a zine on Etsy from a young film photographer (with her own darkroom and all) and when the zine arrived I found out it was printed and shipped by Amazon. Which would have been fine, it would have been declared in the listing on Etsy. To be honest, it was a bit disappointing. That day I made a promise to myself, that I would always include a small personal note. That is the least I can do.
It was’t until I started shooting the book, that I saw the connections to the beach, and the passage of time. The connections seemed so logical, that I wondered if you had specifically chosen those shots to highlight that subtextual narrative. My review, was based on what I saw as I was shooting your book.
The passage of time is an underlying thread that weaves through all my work. Sometimes it is more obvious; other times, less. But your observation on the waves, as well as the cliffs that slowly but irreversibly change, is on point. By presenting several photos that look almost the same, I want the viewer to slow down and look at these flickers of time. There are other methods I used to express the passage of time, too. F.e., the last couple of pages where I "zoom" out of that one scene (the cliffs) by making them smaller (the print, but also the scene itself) is another hint of how time moves on...
I am truly moved by how many observations you made here that are exactly what I tried to express here.
Also, thank you so much for recommending my newsletter! I really appreciate it!
PS: Your review - writing something so good- would have taken me days if not weeks.
Also, I had written a completely different review, first, looked at it the next day, and thought, what a load of crap is this? I knew then themes that I wanted to touch on, so I binned the first draft and wrote what you eventually saw. My first attempt was not good enough for your book.
I am happy to know that the beauty that you created was purposeful, and that I actually saw it as you meant it (I am not usually that perceptive). One of these days, I will look to put together a zine, and I will use yours as my template, in the same way that generations of sculptors, looked at David, and used him as inspiration.
A painfully beautiful book and a moving reason to create. A fitting tribute to her friend and companion, Ben.
The animals are not mere pets to a lot of us, but true companions. When my last dog, Maggie, passed away were on a long hike together. That was 5 years ago and I have not really hiked since. I am feeling I may be ready now, but it will still be hard. To go back out there. Without her. But she loved it so much. She would want me to go again. And remember her.
Remember her, and share the joy with another dog.
We have gotten another dog, Luna. She is a great dog - a fox hound. But, as you can understand, she is not Maggie. I hate it that my heart and my mind make the comparison , but it happens. Certain people and pets are just special in our lives and will always be remember differently in our hearts.
I know what you mean.
Michael, I am sorry you‘ve lost your Maggie. It so hard and devastating to loose them. When Ben died, I thought, I would never be able to visit the places we visited frequently together. I thought, it would hurt too much. But I would have moved to a different city, I would have wanted to avoid all the places we have been together. Step by step, I started to visit these places again. Some were easier than others. I often went alone, so I could cry when I felt like it (which I did). In some places the pain still lingers heavily. It hurts not having him by my side, but the pain softens and the memories of us together it all becomes more bearable. Step by step. All the best to you!
That is very sweet of you, thank you. I am trying to motivate myself for a lot of things. One problem - which has nothing to do with Maggie - is that once you get out of a habit it is hard to get back in. She and I used to walk 2 to 3 miles, at least, every morning. That was a hard habit to start and now that it has been broken for a while it is hard to get back into. I have go to do something though - got to shock myself back into it.
Thank you for the kind words, they really do help.
Oh, I can relate to that so much. Have you ever read Atomic Habits by James Clear? It helped me to built up routine which I found hard to establish. Anyway, all the best to you!
I have skimmed that book, but never gotten deep into it. Perhaps it is time!
You are a true mensch for this deep dive into Susans Ocean. It is a tenderly conceived creation, for all the reasons you mention. It's good of you to support fellow artists like you do. 👊🏼
Thank you, Mark.
A beautiful book by Susanne and a very endearing review of it, Darin. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Ralph.
Susanne is an amazing artist and a beautiful person. Every single time when I got something from her (we had loads of film swaps) she added something extra in the envelope, a very very nice touch.
She reached out when she saw that I had ordered the zine, I thought that was very nice.
Great summary of a particularly powerful book by Susanne! It is hard to imagine what went in to this, given the background! Really well done, Darin and Susanne.
Thank you, Søren.
What an amazing tribute! And thank you for doing it. When I went to buy the book it was too late. But you’ve more than made up for at least a survey of such a beautiful tribute! Thank you, Darin and thank you Susanne for sharing an incredible labor of love.
Thank you, Juliette. I ordered Susanne’s book as soon as I read about it. I knew that it would sell out, and I am happy to have one.
One reason I never buy handmade zines is because I feel I'm not worthy - I could never make a book like this. But maybe if I could at least construct my own, I'd feel like I could join the club.
Hell, Kevin, I don’t think that I could even cut the paper straight, I’m the kid they invented those round-tipped scissors for. I still buy them, when I know the person making the zine.
Yeah, I'm not saying it makes sense, but that's how I feel. As for you, I'd say make the zine. Embrace the wabi sabi! ;-)
Holy Moly, Darin! I don‘t know what to say. First my jaw dropped, then my chest started to hurt and then tears started to roll. I am so moved - firstly because you decided to order this book, but also ( and probably even more so) because you took the time to really look closely at my work and write about it here. And not just write a quick review about it, but actually a really deep and on point analysis. I am really blown away. I can‘t thank you enough for this. You really have a talent for this.
I didn‘t make the coonection, that it was the oceans where it all started, but I like that thought. With the constant rising of the sea level - Maybe that‘s where it all will end, too?
Btw. I usually keep all those treasures I find. But I decided to send a little something with every order of this book, so every buyer would have their own treasure connected to the sea, the book and the passage of time.
I am also so delighted, that you noticed the packaging. I know, not everyone cares about stuff like this, but for me it is a great way to show my gratitude. I once bought a zine on Etsy from a young film photographer (with her own darkroom and all) and when the zine arrived I found out it was printed and shipped by Amazon. Which would have been fine, it would have been declared in the listing on Etsy. To be honest, it was a bit disappointing. That day I made a promise to myself, that I would always include a small personal note. That is the least I can do.
It was’t until I started shooting the book, that I saw the connections to the beach, and the passage of time. The connections seemed so logical, that I wondered if you had specifically chosen those shots to highlight that subtextual narrative. My review, was based on what I saw as I was shooting your book.
The passage of time is an underlying thread that weaves through all my work. Sometimes it is more obvious; other times, less. But your observation on the waves, as well as the cliffs that slowly but irreversibly change, is on point. By presenting several photos that look almost the same, I want the viewer to slow down and look at these flickers of time. There are other methods I used to express the passage of time, too. F.e., the last couple of pages where I "zoom" out of that one scene (the cliffs) by making them smaller (the print, but also the scene itself) is another hint of how time moves on...
I am truly moved by how many observations you made here that are exactly what I tried to express here.
Also, thank you so much for recommending my newsletter! I really appreciate it!
PS: Your review - writing something so good- would have taken me days if not weeks.
Also, I had written a completely different review, first, looked at it the next day, and thought, what a load of crap is this? I knew then themes that I wanted to touch on, so I binned the first draft and wrote what you eventually saw. My first attempt was not good enough for your book.
Awe! Well, you nailed it with the final version! Truly!
I am happy to know that the beauty that you created was purposeful, and that I actually saw it as you meant it (I am not usually that perceptive). One of these days, I will look to put together a zine, and I will use yours as my template, in the same way that generations of sculptors, looked at David, and used him as inspiration.
Ha, what a great compliment. Thank you! And if you ever want to hear my two cents about your zine or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
I will!
Beautiful.