A WORLD OF WORLDS 01-07-08

TRIP-3 ENTRIES   1 OF 3 – START 

Privet!
Hi!

My friend Kate Priest took this picture of me in Moscow in 1987. I was there to document a tour by Children as Teachers of Peace, the first group of American children to visit the former Soviet Union during the Cold War. My assignment last month for Inside the Vatican Magazine sparked many warm memories of the time I spent and the wonderful people I met on that trip 20 years ago.

How did Jerry, of all people, get a job from Inside the Vatican Magazine shooting a Russian Orthodox bishop composer and a 150 piece orchestra and choir? The answer starts a few years after my trip to Russia. I had pretty much given up being a photographer and was doing large paper collage artwork. Though I had already sold the image of my BIRDS OF A FEATHER artwork to The San Diego Zoo and The Nature Company for use as a poster, the money I made only paid for my accumulated debt. I was sitting in my Boulder, Colorado home/studio after I had borrowed the money to get the heat turned back on when the phone rang. It was some guy from Canada who said that he knew of a guy who might buy the original. “No promises,” he said, “but the odds are good.” I called my friend Joe who was living in San Francisco and asked if he wanted to go on a road trip. I rented a Ryder truck and, with Joe, hydroplaned the 1,500 miles to Toronto during a winter snow storm. I did sell the original to my now friend, Nick, who came through in the nick of time. The 6×8 foot artwork was later exhibited at The Royal Ontario Museum at the entrance to the bird wing.

The “guy” on the phone was Silvio. We were born on the same day, two years apart. Though I have only seen him on four different occasions over these 17 years he is a true friend who I call my brother. When he called asking me if I would shoot this job for his friends I, of course, said yes. Anyone who is a friend of Silvio is a friend of mine.

I created BIRDS OF A FEATHER not just for my love of birds and nature but also as an illustration of connection and individuality. It is about how we are all the same species and how every individual has a valuable place based on their own unique talent and personality.

I flew out of San Francisco on the 15th of December and headed East.

In less than two hours I was staring at the skyline of New York. In the next instant I beheld the sphinx in front of a pyramid in the absolutely unique world of Las Vegas.

Before long I was back in the air enjoying my bird’s eye view of the world as I winged my way to Washington DC.

I arrived at the hotel just after dark. The choir and orchestra didn’t arrive until 3:00 in the morning. I got up to record the arrival. The image on the right reminded me of a shot I made on my trip to Moscow. The children I was traveling with visited a number of schools. To create a symbolic image of this historical event I picked the cutest American girl and a beautiful Russian teen and set them up with a globe in the beautiful window light. All the Russian photographers ran over and took the picture. When they all finished I set up my tripod and directed the two girls to look out the window and imagine a bright future. The photographer from the state-run Pravda newspaper leaned over and said, “I see we are not the only ones who understand propaganda.” He had me there and we had a good laugh.

On Sunday I attended a two hour Russian Orthodox mass at St. John the Baptist in Washington. Golden icons and art covered every inch of the vaulted interior. There were no pews.

 Most of the ceremony happened in the middle of the room. And although it was a highly ritualized event, there was also a casualness. People came in late, walked through the ceremony and lit candles or walked to the bishop to respectfully kiss his hand and receive his blessing. It all had a touching sense of community.

 

I am always impressed with the number of ways we find to express the magnitude and beauty of the mystery.

Most of the ceremony happened in the middle of the room. And although it was a highly ritualized event, there was also a casualness. People came in late, walked through the ceremony and lit candles or walked to the bishop to respectfully kiss his hand and receive his blessing. It all had a touching sense of community.

The sense of warmth and community continued in a lunch by the parishioners to honor Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev and guests of the Russian Orthodox Church and government. The man in the red sweater is the Russian Minister of Culture, Alexandre Sokolov. There were many speeches and toasts, all in Russian. Each toast of wine or vodka was always accompanied with singing from the entire room. It was an absolute honor to be a part of this world.

As is my custom, I presented a stack of my business cards, each with a different image, to several of the tables and invited them to take their pick. One woman, after making her pick, pulled out her cell phone to show me why she had made her choice. I speak “niet” Russian. Small matter. We all have to eat and drink. We all look at the same world. We all can recognize a smile.

Thank you for accompanying me to yet another world inhabited by our same species, where every individual has a valuable place based on their own unique talent and personality. My life helps me see how differences are relative and how we are all related. I appreciate you being a part of my family. The next emails will be the rest of my warm time with the Russians, followed by a very white Christmas in Colorado and a rambunctious return to California. If you want to be removed just send a reply with “No Thanks” in the subject line. If you received this from a friend and want to be added to the list, send me an email. I will be delighted to include you.  jd@jerrydownsphoto.com. I leave you with another one of my collages that speaks to our connection.

Enjoy Our World of Worlds!

Love, Jerry

Jerry Downs Photography
P.O. Box 1082
Larkspur, CA 94977
415-686-2369
http://www.jerrydownsphoto.com/

“When you meet a man, you judge him by his clothes; when you leave, you judge him by his heart”

Russian Proverb

Website of Jerry Jampolsky and Diane Cirincione who created

Children as Teaches of Peace and

The Center for Attitudinal Healing

http://www.jerryjampolskyanddianecirincione.com/