[Don Schaeffer]

The Ultimate Measuring Instrument

The waiter entertains us
while we wait for dinner
with an electronic toy
that guesses whats in my mind
in twenty questions.
We laugh when it succeeds.

Is the space of my mind
so small that it fits
within twenty questions?

There is only so much space
unexpandable despite the
shapes within it. Life
shrinks to fit its container,
but the space around life
stays the same.

Can the toy guess
a shrunken life,
when its objects
fall out of it,
in fewer questions?


Man Carrying Dog


Discussion

[Cremetti]

Mr Schaeffer,
I wonder, could you explain the rationale behind your highly individualistic work, please?
What is your inspiration, your goal, your intention?

Thank you.

[Don Schaeffer]

I like irrationality. I don't deal in rationales.

[Cremetti]

I like irrationality. I don't deal in rationales.

I see.
Thank you for your reply. I cant pretend to understand it though...........
Does irrationality appeal to you as an everyday concept?
That is, would you feel comfortable if your car only drove backwards?
At what times does it work for you?

As I see that you are a prolific poster of your art and verse, I realise that you must be motivated deeply. I still cant see by what, though.

Your thoughts appreciated.

C.

[Don Schaeffer]

There are many motives. I'm very vain and want attention. I want to document my life, my environment and my time. I want to make people wonder. I want to restore awe to a blase world. I take pictures on the bus during long bus rides to see my wife because it keeps me busy.


That's not a fair question.

[Cremetti]

Awe. A much misused word in this day and age.
People fail to see or respond to it, yet it can be experienced in every sunrise.

Strange people, all of us. Dont you agree?

[Don Schaeffer]

not strange enough.

[Cremetti]

not strange enough.

Not strange enough?

How would a stranger person be an improvement?

Perhaps though, you are simply joking. I must say that I can see all that you do may be humourous in a rather oblique way.
Is this so?

[Don Schaeffer]

i don't havew a fixed idea. I shoot what I feel is interesting.

[Cremetti]

I'm afraid that I dont understand the connection between my question and your answer. Maybe my english is not up to it?

[Polly]

I like Don and I like what he does.

I may not understand all of it but what I do understand is that Don has a knack of making himself and his city come to life for me. He has so many facets to his character and he shares all of them - shares so much of himself.

Pol

[Cremetti]

Good afternoon, Polly.

I'm glad you enjoy Mr Schaeffer's work.
Perhaps, (since I see you are both "old hands" on this forum), it takes a while to grasp the perspective?

[Polly]

Good afternoon, Polly.

I'm glad you enjoy Mr Schaeffer's work.
Perhaps, (since I see you are both "old hands" on this forum), it takes a while to grasp the perspective?

I think maybe you've summed it up nicely there!

The way I see it, many peeps take loads of 'pretty pictures'. They faff about with the technical stuff and try to stay within the 'rules' but there's nothing of the 'person, nothing of the togfa' coming across when you view their pictures - no personality.

When you look at Don's work you see DON THE PERSONALITY - you know there was a real person on the other end of the camera, a man who thinks and feels, a guy who loves his city and his family, a guy who misses nothing. He sees, he feels, he can be amusing, he grasps life by the throat and takes snapshots that make you see what he saw, what he was doing, what he was feeling. Look at some of his videos, the ones with musical backgrounds and you can FEEL the vibrance and the life going on around you in Winnipeg.

BTW - Don already knows I seee him and his work this way 'cos I told him a while ago - so I don't think he'll mind me repeating it here. I hope not anyway.

Pol

[shuttertalk]

Yes, Don is certainly one of the characterful parts of our forums - much like art in a museum, you need to spend some time appreciating it and it tends to grow on you after a while. Also, like art, not every piece appeals to everyone...

[Don Schaeffer]

Wow! Blush, Pshaw. Thanks guys.

[Cremetti]

Well, I'll have to watch you very closely, Mr Schaeffer. Hopefully, I will learn something new.

[Don Schaeffer]

I'll get stage fright.