Charles Cohen archival digital inkjet prints really stood out to me. I found it interesting the way he uses negative space to create a new atmosphere and another way of story telling. Rather than having the viewers see the whole imagine and analyze the meaning based on the content, he is asking the viewers to see how the negative space can create a new mood for the imagine. You do not know what is really going on, but assume from the way the negative space is shaped, you create a story. And this story would be more detailed and meaningful compared to the story that would of been interpreted if there was no negative space. The emptiness provides you with more room to be creative and innovated with your thoughts.

Cohen’s prints made me reflect on how not being there can actually have more of a powerful effect than actually being there. It is interesting to know that our thoughts are more powerful than the subject itself. Our minds can create a whole other reality oppose to the actual one. I’ve realized that recently with myself also, that thoughts and interpretation is a crazy thing because you can fabricate this image and idea about anything without knowing the truth behind it.  Unanswered questions and self doubt can really grow and expand when all there is, is a space to fill. For example, when you’re getting ignored, the uncertainness of why this is happening to you creates a negative space, you begin to think and analyze through the negative space about your actions, your choices or words that can lead up to the event of having been ignored. There is no answer, and that is what ultimately sparks this creativity for story telling.

Presence does not signify more power and affect, rather without presence the mind begins to unwind. The effect of not being there is more powerful when the mind is free for all interpretations.