It’s easy to get a print of this famous painting.
It’s free to get a really nice image of it online.
Yet, loads upon loads of people take photos of this painting (and some of us even take photos of people taking photos of the painting).
Why?
Is it, “I was there”?
Is it, “I would be too lazy to download a pic, but I want to have it”?
Is it, “I am too cheap to buy a print, but I want to have it”?
Is it, “Everyone else was taking the picture, so I wanted to also”?
Is it, something else entirely?
And, do you think many of the folks who photograph the piece in the museum get less enjoyment out of it because they are too busy fiddling with the camera to enjoy the art?
It’s sometimes, “I wan’t to try out my smart phone’s camera. Woo hoo.”
I sometimes take pictures of famous paintings or statues when I see them in a museum or gallery. But never when there is a crowd around. I like to experience the painting and then, if there was a connection, snap a photo as a reminder of the experience. It’s more than a visual record of a painting that I saw. It’s a memory.
Apparently it is sometimes “I want to blog about this phenomenon later, and I need a pic to prove it.”
Just as a complete aside, an interesting fact about Van Gogh – it’s believed that he was hooked on the foxglove plant (digitalis). One of the side effects is that it causes you to see halo and blue/yellow shades.
So, one theory is that this influenced his later paintings (note the halos around the stars and blue yellow hues).
And in response to above conundrum, I think we all feel compelled to collect memories.
@ Sumanth
he was addicted to absinthe too…
Starry Night is my favourite Van Gogh…would I take a pic with my phone…YES and then share it with everyone on FaceBook to preserve the moment…