Metamorphosis – April 2015

 My clinical background was related to end of life care, when that subject was not getting much attention. The opportunity to volunteer at Hospice House seemed in keeping with this earlier interest.  Spending a four hour time period each week with clients (patients), their families and the health care personnel was a privilege.  Often, our work was housekeeping, caring for flowers, or counting linen, but I always felt that our managing these menial tasks freed up the professional staff to do their important work.  At the same time, we did have patient and family contact, and in some way this felt like a sacred privilege.  The camradery with other volunteers provided support and happy times as we worked together.  Having that designated time period, Wednesday mornings, provided a rhythm to my week, and I dealt with it like a job.  I was consistent and on time, and it felt good to contribute.  At the same time, the support for volunteers was extensive.  We were carefully instructed and trained to do this work, and we were acknowledged for our contribution.

Edward S. Curtis’  Native American Exhibit at the Bellingham Lightcatcher

 In 1906, when J.P. Morgan hired Edward Curtis to photograph Native Americans, his goal was not just to photograph but to document as much of Native American traditional life as possible before that way of life disappeared. He wrote in the introduction to his first volume in 1907: “The information that is to be gathered … respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind, must be collected at once or the opportunity will be lost.” Curtis made over 10,000 wax cylinder recordings of Native American language and music. He took over 40,000 photographic images from over 80 tribes. He recorded tribal lore and history, and he described traditional foods, housing, garments, recreation, ceremonies, and funeral customs. He wrote biographical sketches of tribal leaders, and his material, in most cases, is the only written recorded history although there is still a rich oral tradition that documents history.  Mr. Curtis’ accomplishments, as shown in this exhibit, reflect those of a cultural anthropologist rather than a photographer. ^]Hopefully, if you haven’t already visited this exhibit, you will get the opportunity to do so before it closes, after May 10, 2015.  I was informed, on a recent docent visit to this exhibit, that Mr. Curtis allowed his subjects to pose in their natural state.  Instead of suggesting a particular mood, he photographed his subjects while observing them.  There is so much emotion depicted in his photos.