Since the beginning of time, the sun brightened the world. The ancients learned how to control the sunlight because, until fire was discovered, it was the only way to overcome darkness. Fire was more easily harnessed because it could be used indoors and at night. Finally, lamps were made and true "lighting" was developed into a source of illumination and also decor. Lighting fixtures are as elaborate as a room-sized chandelier hung with thousands of crystals and candles, such as the one in the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna or as simple as an electric bulb suspended from the ceiling on a wire.
Any light source attracts me like the proverbial moth to a flame. When I saw this wrought iron chandelier, I was captivated by its massive design and yet it seemed to hover effortlessly over the grand hallway in which it hangs casting light as well as shadows. I have always been a keen devotee of Man Ray's photography, which sometimes abstracted the "ordinary" or elevated the "common." With Man Ray on my shoulder, I looked at the chandelier from various angles. I thought how elegantly abstracted the shapes created by this light fixture were as I looked straight up into it.
The black and white photograph may be viewed as an abstract that incorporates grays as diffusions or as a lamp with light and shadow. Or in any way that you like!
To learn more about the art of chandeliers visit:
http://www.designboom.com/history/p_chandelier.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/chandeliers-photos_n_3306197.html
For information about Man Ray visit:
http://www.theartstory.org/artist-ray-man.htm
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