Ghost

Charles Ghost, Stool Standing

Even the humble and insignificant can look tall and intimidating. A couple of days ago, I browsed through a photo book at Borders titled Inside North Korea. In it was a picture of a colossal statue of Kim Il Sung taken in Pyongyang. The caption to the photograph noted that photos of the statue can only be taken as a whole, meaning one can't just publish a photo of the head or legs of the statue alone. Doing so would be a mark of great disrespect. I find it amusing how the North Korean authorities try to control the simple act of framing a photograph. Perhaps this highlights the understated power of a perspective. Thus, if a symbol of authority can be diminished by framing, so a humble stool can be exalted by a different angle. Its all a matter of perspective, ain't it.