FASHION OF THE MIND

clement:

Here, but Not Here: Family Portraits Held Together by Skype

We live in a world in which some of the people we are closest to are often not near us at all.

When we document our day-to-day existence in photographs and Instagrams, these people are absent. Their presence in our lives is absent in our digital memories. 

Photographer John Clang’s series Being Together seeks to correct this. Using Skype and projectors, he captures families visually as they are virtually. 

“In these images,” Clang told me over email, “I am marking the time for these families, enabling them to remember these strange moments of togetherness with the technology presently available. The picture doesn’t stop here, it lingers on in their memory. It embraces the intimacy and closeness of a family, no matter how far apart they are.”

Read more. [Images: John Clang]

Clever! I could use this!

First night out for dinner in Guangzhou and my parents finally update me with a more detailed account of our recent family history and father’s means of breadwinning. 

Respect and appreciation. 

My little sister is sound asleep on the bed to my right and my mom is reading an old fiction novel of mine to my left. 

Yes, home is where family is. 

Time elapsed since I’ve seen my immediate family members: 

• Dad: 8 months 6 days
• Mom: 3 years 5 months 13 days
• Sister: 3 years 5 months 13 days

I’m finally seeing my whole family today in less than 12 hours! Now for the usual routine: clean my room. 

On a lighter note!

Are you eligible?

(My first real attempt at Venning something witty).

Not my reaction initially, but I can relate.