shadow shot sunday

Breath sweeps 

mind.

Jakusho Kwong


A tale accompanies this week's shadow shots.   They were taken in a public place.   Not only were they taken in a public place, the said public place didn't allow photographs.
   
Because I broke a rule, I won't reveal the locale of this place, I'll keep that my little secret.   Upon my arrival there I made an inquiry as to whether or not photographs were allowed.   I had made the assumption they would be.   Not.  I'd been in larger museums that that and photographs were allowed.  I wanted to play by the rules, I truly did.  In spite of the ban,  I decided to tour the place anyway - it was my first visit, I was already there, I'd paid a sum for parking, and it was a bit blustery outside that day.

I paid the admission fee and began to explore,  keeping my eye open for posted signs stating "no photographs".   I needed to see it in writing I guess.

After seeing all there was to see on the first floor, I climbed the long stairway to the second floor...

to an extraordinary exhibit of polymer art.      Most of the pieces were displayed in cases behind and under glass and more than a few of them were casting whimsical shadows.   Did I mention that at the foot of the stairs there was a posted sign stating "no photographs"?   It was small.   Teeny tiny.    If one weren't looking for it, one could conceivably miss it.

When I reached the second floor I heard voices.   I wasn't alone!    Up to this point I'd had the place to myself.    This caper had suddenly gotten interesting - a challenge was presented.    The voices were coming from behind a wall, in a separate part of the gallery;  perhaps I could get a few shots off before I was discovered!    With sweaty palms I removed the camera from my bag and snapped the above photo.   My heart was racing so fast I was dizzy.    I had defied a rule!    I just don't do that.   Usually.    But for some reason, this adventure had turned into something really really fun.

The voices continued.    I snapped again. 

The beads of sweat on my brow began dripping down the sides of my face...I snapped again.

I was mesmerized by a giant wall sculpture, and at the same time convinced that I would be found out.   After taking another survey of the walls and ceilings for security cameras,  I got off another round of shots.  

Visions of a prison cell flashed before my eyes - metal toilet on the wall,  two-inch thick dirty mattress on the floor, and my name crudely scratched into the concrete wall - "Becky was here...".    Oh dear, Daisey's mom was a CONVICT.

Alright.   At that point I was so hot and sweaty I had to remove my coat.   That helped.    I cooled down, put away the camera, and composed myself.   As composed as one can act with large sweat stains under their arm pits. 

It was time to round the corner and confront the voices.    I casually strolled around to other side of the wall.  I think I may have even tried a whistle.

There was no one there!    The room was empty!    The voices were nothing more than a T.V. mounted onto the wall - playing a demonstration video of one of the artists explaining her creative methods with polymer clay.

A long bench had been placed before the screen.     I collapsed onto it.  
I had just narrowly escaped arrest and prison time.  Be still my heart.   Oh, bless that T.V. - I had never felt such relief to be in the company of a television.    Never ever.    

I watched the entire video but have no recollection of what the artist said, or what she was doing with that clay.   It all became a big blur.   Hallelujah, I had been saved.    I would not be hauled out onto the street in handcuffs to a waiting police van amidst the glare of media camera flash.   I would not be a convict.    I would continue to exercise my liberties as a free citizen.   Blessed be the day. 

I went to the ladies room,  took a selfie, and walked out still a free woman.  

I'm not a social rule-breaker.   I learned at a young age that when I broke a rule, I got caught and after the first time I didn't want that humiliation ever again.  I had learned the lesson well.    But here's the rub.   Having lived my life on the straight and narrow,  veering off that path for just 20 minutes felt so...liberating.   Were the shadow shots worth all that?     You be the judge. 

Head on over and say hello to Gemma, Magical Mystical Teacher, and Rose at  Shadow Shot Sunday to check out what all the other shadow chasers found this week.   Happy Saturday everyone.   And thanks for looking at my shots.