ART OF EXPERIENCE

One of Mr. Farago’s points is stagnation. True enough. Long before this, unconsciously, RealStill was already building a runway out of the flipping that would be left over by reinvention and disruption. No fame, name nor money – the business of art. Result? Meaning. Purpose. Connection. Soul.

Grounded in lived experience, ready to lift off and freely go anywhere. It’s action art. Don’t call it an adrenaline habit. This isn’t about hormones and neurotransmitters getting excited. Dread is managed and redirected not sought. Control, discipline, discomfort gets the job done.

Nathan Apocdaco was featured as the best movie of 2019 according to RealStill. Combining daily tragedies with a cultural path to overcome what’s a pai into something good. Like over 10k from the internet and a new pick-up truck from Ocean Spray which go millions in free advertising. Plus his attempt to sell and NFT for 500k for his phone vid.

That feather tattooed on the side of his head is a link to putting body and mind to flight, but not forever.

Shooting down E. 165th St. from the Grand Concourse at sunrise requires a lot of attention and dancing around because the rising sun makes a complete blind spot to the east and trying to find a spot cars to get out of the way from. Add a cold-as morning and the movement and alertness is not just healthy but a source of clarity.

While shooting the passing train through the landscape, i saw him go by, but it wasn’t clear if i got it until confirmed on the screen.

Remember the film, Blow-Up that was an art film and very popular when released. Antonio had lots to say about images. It thrilled audiences at the time, and, I’m sure today, it wouldn’t be considered much, but, and it’s day. It has its place.

An art of experience leaves its marks. Experience being one hell of a teacher.

Think i’m kiddin? Although never a fan of urban exploration, and even the term. Some have made it into the higher echelon of the New York art photography by acts of trespass, climbing its skyscrapers.

“Drift” Wright’s “resume” is filled with experience:
https://robertmann.com/25-drift-coming-home-images
https://robertmann.com/drift-coming-home-press-release
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/arts/design/isaac-wright-photographer.html

Sarcasm becomes the only stance in face of the impossible, so much so, that today there’s no need for it, since simply using what is said, verbatim, with no embellishments, would be the ready-made scripts for the best absurdust satires ever created.

Not that i would ever resort to such a strategy in my own work.