A couple of years ago I wrote a short blog piece here called Valentine Shmalentine! which I thought I’d revisit today, not only as it is Valentine’s Day but because of the passage of time. Since that entry Francino, the old man in the rainbow hat in the Bar Italia image, has died . Dini the barista has also moved on, but in an onward and upward way, and has opened his own place – called My Place – also in Soho.
Over the years I’ve taken many images of found hearts. some of these are actual representations of hearts such as the following graffiti exclamation of love from Venice:
Here’s another Venetian heart graffiti:
I like this Cuban proclamation of love, which uses text – big capital letters – and no heart icon:
Recently in Tel Aviv I came across these faded stencils on a pedestrian boulevard: the first one means “LOVE REVOLUTION”
But I also see hearts in my food and in nature:
Here’s a tuna steak:
Toast:
And in the natural world:
In puddles:
And in branches:
In found objects on the pavement such as the shower cap, elastic band and tangerine peel:
But how does one depict actual love?
I like the tender, tactile connection between two of my friends, partners for several years, who shall remain anonymous unless they want to be credited!
I like the fact this seems like a real embrace with real people, even if it is intentionally posed in front of the Pont de L’Archeveché in Paris. It could have been spontaneous – does that make it more romantic?
Here are a couple that posed for me on the bridge, a couple of years ago with a padlock they are about to attach:
I’m drawn to signs of physical affection and tenderness in old age:
And this image – I think it was a reflection if I remember rightly – of a couple in a gallery:
And I like the hand touching Frida Kahlo’s face – though it could be ambiguous – a caress or something else? A took this shot off the TV monitor from a film about Frida and Diego Rivera.
Beautifully written and visually striking. Thanks
Thank you so much Mario – I really appreciate the feedback!
Very well written, and the imagery brings the words to life, beautifully diverse photographs