While walking, have you ever walked around or over a spot that looks dirty because of leaks, spills, smudges, or splatter? How about bird poop?
The next time you come across what looks like a dirty area, donโt just keep walking. Stop and look, and have your smartphone camera ready. You will be surprised to find patterns that look like art in the area that looks like it should be avoided.
I initially started looking for patterns in nature and on paved surfaces, walls, and in other manmade objects that looked like the symbol เฅโor โOMโ, which is a symbol that has religious and spiritual significance for Hindus. I only found two patterns that looked somewhat like เฅ. .โ
At the end of the year 2016, I started noticing other patterns in spills, leaks, stains, smudges, splatter, spit, and weathered, eroded, and repaired portions of sidewalks and other paved and semi-paved areas that people generally step on without paying much attention. To my curious mind and eyes, some of the patterns looked like works of art. Soon I started noticing more and more โworks of artโ as I walked on paved, semi-paved, and unpaved surfaces. Using the camera on my smartphone, I started taking pictures of the artistic patterns observed.
I, now, have a growing collection of photos called โArt That People Step Onโ and am able to quickly spot art-like patterns in dirty-looking areas on surfaces.
Some of the skills used to identify patterns of art in what appears to be dirty-looking areas include focused observation, identifying patterns, making connections, rotational visualization, asking questions, curiosity, and imagination.
Viewersโ interpretations of what the pictures are and the artistโs interpretations may be quite different, and this is perfectly okay. Everyone perceives things differently, based on their prior knowledge, experiences, and cultural perspectives.
If the pictures provoke some conversations among strangers, acquaintances, friends, and family members who view them, I will be happy.
Photos from the โArt That People Step Onโ collection have been exhibited at the Beverly Hills art show in May 2019, October 2019, and October 2020. During the show in October 2020, one photo was awarded the Third Place ribbon by the judges and also won the Peopleโs Choice Award in the Photography category.
Why donโt you try your hand at it? What would you title this picture?
Dr. Mandayam Osuri Thirunarayanan was born in Madras, India. He became a citizen of the United States and currently lives in Miami, Florida.