I do love those interesting coincidences in life. As you know, I never really look intently at the stickers I'm photographing. I generally just wander around and pause to snap photos of the things that catch my eye. Sometimes it's the actual sticker that gives me pause and other times it's the location that deserves my time. When I look into the stickers later on there are some photographs that end up just working out so well, you'd almost thought I planned it. Granted I'm sure a large part of this should be accredited the sticker placer, who felt this was worth taking the time to mark it, but I'd like to think that a little bit can go to me since I managed to find that angle that works.
I've always been rather fascinated with reflections, whether it's in a mirror or the windows of a building. That idea of seeing the world in a different way, or if you're feeling fanciful seeing a different world entirely. The amount of stories and plot points that I've read or watched over the years that center around reflections is honestly a little staggering. I think it really has to do with the fact that while it is clearly yourself that you see in the reflection, it still feels rather alien. Reflections give you that chance to see how you actually look to others or just a moment of seeing how you fit into the larger scheme of things. They can also distort the truth and your perception of it. So when I came across this sticker, I knew I had to do my best to capture the reflection. I really wanted to try to balance the buildings on the other side of the street, the signs in front of the shop, and the sticker itself. To give a quick snapshot of the Southside that you typically see but rarely think about. The sticker on the glass is a rather intriguing one. The main part of the image is a woman smoking in a ski mask. While you can't quite make out what exactly she's smoking, it isn't terribly hard to figure out that it has to be weed. Especially since the phrases on the sticker are "heads high" and "kill em wit the smoke." And if you zoom in on the right side of the sticker you can see the site http://www.smokersonlyworldwide.com/. This is a clothing site that provides shirts and hats to individuals who want to "subtly" and fashionably show their support and enjoyment of weed. It's an interesting collection of items but not really my thing. I've never been a weed fan and can't say I've really ever seen the appeal, I'm just boring that way. Obviously I've had plenty of friends who have smoked or still smoke, I just never got into it. Now what I love about the combination of the sticker and the reflection is that idea of distorting perception. I know that weed is often used and portrayed as a way to expand the way you see the world. So I think that by placing this sticker on the window, you create a space to reevaluate the world and how you see yourself in it.
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Maggie Ondrey
An amateur photographer and writer capturing a small portion of the city. Archives
August 2017
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