Titans (colour photograph)

Titans (colour photograph)
Titans (colour photograph by Paul Politis), 2007
Titans (colour photograph)
Titans (colour photograph by Paul Politis), 2007

Titans is an older photo, from 2007 or so, whose title references Greek mythology, and Atlas in particular. I had in mind those popular images of him, on bended knee, carrying the weight of the world on his back.  This photo has always represented to me a kind of symbol for perseverance, despite my doubts, despite my weaknesses. A tenuous stalemate with the weight of the world. Though the uneven balance in the photo indicates that the world has gained the upper hand, there’s a certain grace and dignity. The crush is imminent and unavoidable, but in the meantime, keep your head up, carry on, and resist becoming a blubbering mess!

When I was in my late teens/early twenties, I would come across references in Camus and elsewhere to the Greek myth of Sisyphus. Certainly a good metaphor for pointlessness, and one that resonated with me and my existential view on things (though, of course, Camus concluded that we must imagine Sisyphus as happy).  But my imagination was captured most by the myth of Tantalus — temptation without satisfaction. Now there was an apt symbol for my young life!