Aneta Rusek

Hello Berlin, goodbye the sense of belonging

Posted in Digital Photography, Color Photography on April 2nd, 2009 by Aneta Rusek | 0 Comments.

Needless to say, two weeks ago we ventured out to Das Deutschland. From the very start, something felt completely wrong since we missed the train that was supposed to take us there in less then three hours. We took the complicated route and had to change the trains twice to finally cross the border. Surprise, surprise, it all felt weird. Trains, train stations, train windows, train music mixed with train announcements started to get to me. And then Berlin. Of all things, I remembered being in Berlin back in 2000. Seeing as things in Poland have improved so much since that time, I felt no amazement when walking around the city I once upon a time enjoyed. The city does have its hard to find, pretty places but lacks those things you could fall in love. It carries a lot of painful history but as opposed to Poland where everything has a painful history, Berlin is not a place to go back to and embrace for survival instincts. And even the Berlin wall, which is now an artistic get together for people that love graffiti at the East Side Gallery, tells us little about why it happened and what caused such a tremendous lack of understanding. Over the history tour, I felt like the lesson was barely letting us into the background and left me rather disappointed knowing that my own understanding was more accurate. Besides, again I felt like it all lacked the international aspect and concentrated on irrelevant, selfish things that in general history are only overshadowed by more important, truly inspirational events. Because how can you talk about World War II and not mention countries that were invaded, or talk about fall of communism and not mention Solidarność movement? German language reminded me that in school, I spent nine years struggling to learn its grammar. It was not hard at all, just failed miserably to connect with me. And one more thing, the shopping we expected to draw us in and entertain our extravagant side, left us with noses squashed against CLOSED doors. For future reference, Sundays in Berlin are strictly observed if not as a religious obligation, it is definitely a day off for everyone. So yes on the train ride back, I kept watch for the river Odra which is now the only physical border separating the two countries and breathed more regularly once we reached "home". I had no idea, I would feel so strongly about anything, and in this case about history and national pride and patriotism. I guess, I did learn something about myself after all.

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Art at the Plac Wolności

Posted in Digital Photography, Color Photography on October 26th, 2008 by Aneta Rusek | 1 Comments.

The great art show at one of the Poznań’s prominent spots brought me some hope that maybe I am watching history being made. And of course, I happened to notice the good part but also the bad and very discouraging thing about the traditional Polish attitude. The art show was composed of sculptures made by Jerzy Kopeć, a talented Polish artist. The art expressed the author’s stand point of view on birth and death being the matters we think deeply about. The name of the show: Sytuacje graniczne (Border situations) brought yet another interesting detail to the meaning of those sculptures. It is the issues that are likely to separate us that create the best discussion topics and therefore are worth bringing up to the public. I felt inspired with the idea and the successful presentation of such a large exposition in the city. Unfortunately, multiple of the art sculptures were destroyed by the local public and that is precisely where my sense of disappointment came from. Although, Polish artists do grow up to be representing us globally with their amazing talent, we are not yet ready for being trusted with the art work unless there is a constant, twenty-four-hour surveillance of the area holding the exposition. How can we be able to think about the depth of the art and its meaning if we do not respect the artist. I certainly hope that the city of Poznań will start doing something about the constant vandalism and acts of human irresponsibility. I hope that majority of the population will see it as an advantage if the law will finally be obeyed. Certainly, it all would help the image that we are trying to create about Poland being part of Europe and not part of the past.

The Gniezno Bronze Door

Posted in Digital Photography, Color Photography on September 24th, 2008 by Aneta Rusek | 0 Comments.

Couple of weeks ago, I went to Gniezno primarily to see the amazingly old, cathedral doors. The Gniezno door is crazy old and as you can see it is really well preserved. We are talking about a nine hundred years that this piece of bronze has already seen in passing. It has been around throughout the long history of Poland and, at least to me, it is a symbol of Polish longevity and endurance. The doors are not symmetrical since the right side is larger and the two lion handles take up different horizontal planes. However, the artistic appeal is still present especially when seeing eighteen pictures portraying the life of Saint Adalbert or Wojciech in the very specific manner. The pictures are arranged in chronological order from the bottom left side going up, crossing over to the right side and going down. The pictures on the bottom are arranged in the same way as the door. The story starts out when Adalbert is born (1st picture). After couple of years, the child becomes sick and is taken to a temple to be given away for church service if healed (2nd picture). The child gets well and is send to a monastery in Magdeburg where he starts his theological education (3rd picture). Next we can see Adalbert praying but the reason and exact place is a subject of historical disputes (4th picture). Later, Adalbert becomes the bishop of Prague but it is Otto III that nominates him in Verona not in Prague (5th picture). In front of the Prague cathedral, Adalbert frees a demon possessed person (6th picture). While asleep, Adalbert sees Jesus Christ who tells him that he does not approve of the slave trade that is going on under the watch of the bishop of Prague (7th picture). Adalbert goes to the Czech prince and disallows the human trade he has been overlooking (8th picture). During the stay in Aventino monastery, Aldabert miraculously prevents a falling plate from breaking on the floor (9th picture). The bishop decides to travel to Poland and convert the Baltic Prussians north of Poland. We can see him coming to Prussia in a boat with his brother and another priest (10th picture). The first conversions take place and end with a baptism of Prussia (11th picture). Adalbert continues preaching (12th picture) and leads out his last mass (13th picture). The trip ends tragically with the sacrificial death of the bishop (14th picture). His body is displayed publicly (15th picture). The king of Poland, Bolesław Chrobry buys the body of the martyr from Prussians and pays its weight in gold (16th picture). The body is carried in a procession from Prussia to Poland (17th picture). In the presence of Bolesław Chrobry, it is placed in the Gniezno Cathedral where it is now (18th picture). The doors are all yours now. Please, go and see it on your own.

Life in Poznań

Posted in Digital Photography, Color Photography on September 23rd, 2008 by Aneta Rusek | 0 Comments.

I am back in Poland with Stefan, my family, cats and some of our books. My life has been completely turned around once again. In general, the changes that we have made so far show us that we might not be able to do such things when we will get older. For now, we enjoy the fact that we are flexible enough to survive through it. Poznań has some really big pluses. It has a spacious and really pretty Old Town area that has one of the most impressive Town Halls in western Poland (Kraków and Warszawa still beat it even though some people would argue with me on that). The city is very modern and certainly has a lot to offer to young people. Poznań has one of the best shopping malls in Poland and there are a lot of them. In fact, every city corner, has something for its inhabitants. Also, we have been pretty pleased with the choice of restaurants in Poznań. Because of the more diversified crowd flooding the city every year for the International Fair, the expectations are high and so is the level of services. One thing that makes us truly happy is the public transportation, which is well structured and it works without any major problems although the tram/bus stops are quite rare compared to some places in United States. Unfortunately, Poznań will never be like New York City and that is what we compare it to and miss the most. My graduate school, Poznań University of Medical Sciences surprised me in a good way but also in a disturbing way. I know it sounds confusing, but there is no other explanation to this dilemma. The school is far along the way to becoming a great teaching place, but the way it is organized makes it fall behind. Simple things become a problem when you look at them in such a way. I am optimistic however that in some time it will either change or it will stop bothering me as much. For now, I just miss United States or maybe New York City specifically. Comparing one place to the other in such a way is not very objective so the final judgment will have to be postponed until I know exactly what I want to say.

New York City Art

Posted in Film Photography, Black and White Photography on April 13th, 2008 by Aneta Rusek | 0 Comments.

As I have learned rather recently, New York City has one of the best variety of wall art. The paintings on the old buildings surprise when they suddenly emerge in front of your eyes. It involves a lot of walking and searching but it pays off when you find those pieces. They are an amazing expression of the City’s character and diversity. The ideas are original and colorful while they portray variety of subjects. East Village holds the most interesting and independent compositions. Without a doubt, Brooklyn is the place to look for the biggest productions. Couple true gems can be found along Nostrand and Thomson Avenue. Let me know if you notice any other places that should be documented before they will be painted over by an overzealous landlord. I also urge the artists to continue their work in making the City one of the most interesting and versatile places in the world. Thanks to you, we can enjoy the art at its best without changing our daily route or going to a museum.

Mexico, here we come!

Posted in Digital Photography, Color Photography on March 26th, 2008 by Aneta Rusek | 0 Comments.

In a spectacular way, Mexico involved me in the adventure of my life. It is a place of wide variety, amazing experiences and color. The spirit of exploration took over me with the first breath of fresh air outside of Cancun airport. I wanted to see everything, touch everything, feel it without ever changing it. In the world of Maya culture and Spanish language, I felt more than challenged to approach everything with respect and appreciation it deserves. In fact, the revelation that the Maya did not cease to exist brought something of a relief. The mighty ruins of abandoned cities prove the architectural genius and extreme precision Maya had time to perfect for more than several centuries. Their inspiration with color, especially red, carried through to present times. Although, less visible in the ancient structures that were long bleached with sun and washed with rain, the color is clear and pronounced on more recent buildings in cities like Merida, Campeche and Chetumal. In addition, colorful graffiti rules the streets of the same Mexican cities. Roads, fences and bus stops are decorated with generous amount of simple yet sophisticated art. The same roads are surprisingly good but prepared only for the speed limits set in place. With no doubt in my mind, the symbolical Volkswagen Beatle becomes also an icon of Mexican roads. Truly, I have not passed a neighborhood, village or a parking lot without seeing one of those best known cars in the whole wide world. Although the country seems poor, it is probably the richest in the aspects other than the strictly financial one. I have never seen people more relaxed and trusting. The whole village attends and looks for the animals that do not belong to them while they run around without territorial boundaries. The dogs you might categorize as homeless wonder the streets as if they are part of the whole community rather than a part of one household. Our trip targeted mainly Maya ruins and started out in Chichen Itza, where we drove right after landing. Seeing the pyramid made our appetites bigger especially for places in which we could actually climb up the stairs of ancient temples and enjoy the vast view of the wild forests. More accessible places were crowded up with multilingual masses. We wanted the solitude and quietness that awaited us after the wonders of Dzibilchaltun, Mayapan, Uxmal, Kabah, Labna, Edzna, Hochob and Dzibilnocac. Of course, some of those places took our breath away, some of them demanded more time than others. However, the solitude and quietness we needed awaited us in the forests of Calakmul, Becan, Dzibanche, Kinichna and Kohunlich, in southern most part of Mexico. Separated from the world of our civilization, the ruins provided the best access to understanding the life as it used to be quite a while ago. All I have read about archeological studies done within Maya region was too dry and lacked the human factor to fully appreciate it. Seeing the same sun and moon, climbing the same stairs, being within a reach of Maya sculptures provides a logical proof of their existence. If I did not have pictures to prove the fact that I have been to those ancient realms, I probably would hardly believe it. Thinking about it, I would like to know what the explorers felt when they originally discovered those magnificent places. Was it fear, curiosity or maybe pure admiration? As a visitor, I have felt all of them during the short week of our trip. The last two are way too obvious to need an explanation. The sensation of fear was definitely present when a group of howler monkeys decided to scare us off their territory by jumping from tree to tree to get closer to us. While screaming their war calls to recruit more howler monkeys, they threw their arms around as if, in a moment, we would experience the bombardment of our lives. If you can imagine what I would do if faced with it and you find it amusing, I did want to see a jaguar. Coba and Tulum only brought us back to the less organic setting with some of the most impressive structures we have seen so far. I cannot write about Mexico without describing the food we treated ourselves to everyday. Being a big fruit freak, I was in my heaven with fruit plates, fruit stands and variety of fruit juices. Being vegetarian brought a lot of confusion, in result leading to still being served chicken and ham on various occasions. To make up for the lack of meat, we ate a lot of cheese, beans, guacamole and salsa backed up with chips and delicious, grilled veggies. Here again, we pondered the simplicity of the Mexican food and arrived at the conclusion that the simple things seem to taste and feel the best. The conclusion had more universal meaning in that it applied to the many aspects of our entire trip. Simplicity of the life style, daily activities and working environment gave this place the perfect characteristics of relaxed, vacation setting. There is no such thing as road blocks with mean Mexicans waiting to mug you. There are smiling faces, beautiful churches, inspiring color choices and people ready to share their culture with those willing to learn about it. There is a lot to see, taste, touch and experience. Do not go with the plan to see, taste, touch and experience everything. Do go with the plan of revisiting so that you can have multiple opportunities to discover what you missed the first time around.

New York, New York

Posted in Digital Photography, Night Photography on February 29th, 2008 by Aneta Rusek | 1 Comments.

Brooklyn Bridge

The spectacular New York City skyline has always made me think about how lucky I am to have time to enjoy it. I am standing in the middle of Dumbo with a generous portion of a multi-flavored, smooth goodness from the Ice Cream Factory. While listening to the loudness of the Brooklyn Bridge, I am able to fully understand why the song says, "It’s up to you New York." I have never seen anybody who was brave enough to come here and right away take full control of what was happening around him. On its own, the City either makes or breaks those who challenge it. It runs according to its own rules almost as if it has a purpose and reasons behind it. Waking up in the middle of the night in the "city, that never sleeps," makes me frustrated with the noise of its tireless machine. Unless you are trying to get a good night’s sleep, it is a pleasent feeling to see New Yorkers roaming the streets of the City at any time of the day and night. Have you seen “The Out-of-Towners” episode of the A-Team from season one? Suprisingly, unbelivable and bizzare crime schemes presented in old movies are lead out in the middle of East Village. New York is by far the safest feeling city in the universe, because it "never sleeps." In the end, old and famous New York City can be conquered when individuals finally understand and agree to adopt its philosophy. If you are willing to do so you might become the coveted "king of the hill," "number one," or "top of the list." The rest of us who do not want to commit to extremes become only spectators. After all, not all of us belong here.

White Guy and a Red Hand

Posted in Night Photography, Color Photography, Film Photography on February 24th, 2008 by Aneta Rusek | 0 Comments.

white guy and red hand

If you have ever been in New York City, you might have noticed the pedestrian crossing lights. To me, they are an example of racial symbolism. You have a white guy that encourages you to walk across the street and a red hand that makes you stop and look around. As far as my observations go, nobody ever disobeys the white guy. But pretty much everybody disobeys the red hand. From your own experience you probably know how hard it is to disobey the first one. I have tried many times, but even when I thought I was close, the crowd of mindless followers would take me across the street. Now, I also tried to obey the red hand, but how can anybody accomplish that if the streets are completely empty? Or should we go back to the green and red, please? Although challenging for color blind, the colors itself would not be associated with anything else. And the signaling would be universal with the rest of the world.

My Wonderful Friend: Escupito

Posted in Color Photography, Film Photography on February 24th, 2008 by Aneta Rusek | 1 Comments.

Pito

Since Escupito joined our family, I have taken endless amount of shots of him posing. As crazy as he is, he is also the most wonderful cat in the whole wide world. You have to know his story to understand that he is more than a cat to me. Of course, from the very beginning we bonded. His life started out in Tennessee where I first met him. He was named Escupito after the generations of Escupes that had one thing in common: they all licked people, in literal sense, depositing spit on their skin (escupir in Spanish means to spit). You have to know that I have never liked cats but I soon had to change my mind. Escupito had a meowing techniques that alternated depending on occasion. A meow that asked for food was distinctively different from a welcoming meow. In the cat world, Escupito was more or less alone just like I was in the human world. He lived with another cat (Katana) who was everybody’s favorite but she did not like him very much. Poor Escupito spent all his life trying to come up with ways to prove his love. And then, it was too late. One day, Katana did not come home. We took him to New York City to help him deal with anxiety and depression. Here, in the middle of Brooklyn, Escupito met Lusia, the female cat we saved from certain death at the Animal Care and Control. Lusia seemed to dominate the relationship up until Escupito showed his character smacking back his attacker. Since that time, the two were the best friends and we often walked on them licking and cleaning each other.

2009 update: Escupito is no longer with us. Poor thing died of a liver failure and it was heart breaking to watch him waste away. Lusia misses him the most. Although we don’t know why, she now licks our hands during petting. When in another room, she meows in a pitiful, shrilling way that makes us even more sorry for what has happened. Before Escupito, Lusia never meowed.

Being into Black an White Film Photography

Posted in Film Photography, Black and White Photography on February 24th, 2008 by Aneta Rusek | 0 Comments.

There is something about black and white photography that forbids you from wasting your precious film. Like in other film photography, there is no instant gratification. The process is more mysterious and has multiple steps. Whether you framed your shot professionally will be hidden from you for the next however long you decide to shoot the rest of the roll. The temperature, time and ratios of developing chemicals make the process of developing your own film very complicated. Success, and only success, brings awaited satisfaction revealing your work that is now vaguely remembered. All that is left is printing and it is not as simple as it seems when picking up your film at a drug store’s photography counter. Burning, dodging and using appropriate filters can leave you feeling totally helpless. Like everything in life, it takes practice. When it comes to your choices, choice of paper is as important as your choice of film. Whatever people say, fiber paper is the type to choose and use. Of course, RC takes less time but you also will be enjoying it less time. Artistically and physically, fiber paper outlasts the time.