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This is the picture that lives on the wall in my bathroom. It’s a good talking point.
What do you see?
I fancy I see the character behind the mask, face concentrating, sweat on his brow, slightly arrogant “I’m-winning-at-life” smile…but whichever angle I try to look at it, I can’t actually see a face behind the visor.
A visitor once told me that not being able to see the face makes it rather sinister, especially as it hangs in a personal space. Like someone is watching.
My two-year-old grandson, not yet having the experience or ability to make sense of it, sees what his brain can understand…an elephant.
My worldly wise four-year-old grandson knows it’s not an elephant, but he has no frame of reference. Is it a person? How can he tell that? He decides that “I don’t know” is an appropriate answer and goes back to playing with the toys in the bath.
My husband just sees a fighter pilot – no character behind it, even with the name on the helmet – it is what it is. My children just roll their eyes and, having grown up knowing Tom, indulge me.
I’m reminded that, however obvious a photograph, vista or situation, everyone sees something different. Everyone draws on their own experience of life and the world to interpret and reach a conclusion on a suitable response or action.
I’m reminded that it is important to look closely, to listen, to talk to others about what they see, before deciding on an appropriate answer. Something that might look obvious to you, can evoke very different reactions in others.
Talk to 1st Pillar if you are looking for another point of view.
Happy half term
Emma |
