Through the Lens

Visiting Dick Groot’s exhibition last weekend made me realize that each of us sees the world through a particular lens (see his website). Whether it is photography, painting or writing, we capture a particular personal perspective.

This observation was confirmed for me, when I received a couple of emails from Europe. As someone born in England after the Second World War, I left the country in 1969 to undertake graduate work in Canada. This has shaped my lens.

From my old school friend, Andrew Ronay, I received a notice from the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Wisley. RHS Hilltop at Wisley calls itself the ‘Home of Gardening Science’. I was impressed by the opportunity to both read and listen for more information on this venture.

Later in the week, Peter, my brother sent me a link to Radio 4, Guide Books with Damian Barr, Episode 3 ‘On Nature with Helen MacDonald and Melissa Harrison’ broadcast in the UK on Tuesday, June 29th at 11:30 am. The series of three episodes is subtitled ‘Books to help us navigate everyday life’.

These two emails illustrated a couple of perspectives on my own lens. The RHS email reminded me of the gardening culture in the UK. The Radio 4 program was a fond reminder of some of the best of BBC programming.

Meanwhile home in Nova Scotia, we are busy gardening; harvesting rhubarb and red currants; producing jams for the Winter months.

Postscript

How are our youthful memories of the English or Dutch landscape translated into our perception of the Canadian landscape? Or the class Society of mid-Twentieth century Europe into present day Canada ? They have shaped the lens.