Photography
When I was a young woman, socially engaged, with a keen interest in philosophy and psychology, I was quite taken by the ‘To Have or to Be?’, a landmark book of the late 20th century by the psychoanalyst Erich Fromm, in which he writes about modern world becoming materialistic, obsessed with the unlimited production and hence unlimited consumption; determined not by what is good for man, but rather by what is good for the growth of the system. Two modes of existence struggle for the spirit of humankind: the having mode, which concentrates on material possessions, power, and aggression, and is the basis of the universal evils of greed, envy, and violence; and the being mode, which is based on love, the pleasure of sharing, and in productive activity.
We won’t go into dissecting this social philosophy – it may as well be a pervasive and universal truth, or just a ‘point of view’…
…
Cuba is a winter escape – white sand beaches, shades of blue, careless resorts, shameless laziness on our well-deserved break from work and harshness of the climate…we go there to enjoy curiosities and pleasures of vintage cars, colorful streets of old Havana, rich music of Cuba; we go there for a week to be pampered, because we have and it gives us a transient break from our busy lives focussed on making and having more…
Hung’s photographs give another point of view …simply and non-intrusively… They bring tears to my eyes each time I flip through them, even though they are mostly images of happy people…
Hung’s account of their origin:
‘It was one of the most memorable trips… with Spanish-speaking Maria and fellow photographer Andre; we were welcomed into homes and everyday activities of people who live in the poorest neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba. Their possessions were next to nothing. They enjoy life and make the best with whatever they have: lovers dress up and dance in a night jazz club (that evening, only the band, the couple, and three of us …); kids burst with joy flying kites made of plastic bags; a pride and happiness lights the face of a guy showing off his rooster… No self-pity, no anger, no despair… I was deeply moved by these genuine and warm people, being so gracious and so beautiful! ‘
To browse through a portfolio of photography by our featured artists, including the photographs shown in this video, visit this url:
Left Brain Artists 
One reply on “Point of View”
True beauty! Very beautiful and moving pictures
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