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I've always been fascinated by how our perceptions affect our perspectives. How people can look at the exact same thing and see it so differently.
So, I hit the streets to see what a random sampling of Portlanders saw when they looked at the same surroundings. I handed them my iPhone and asked them to take one photograph of what they were drawn to and tell me why.
(extra credit if they told me their favorite candy)
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
Henry David Thoreau
10:30 a.m. | Corner of West Burnside & NW 10th Ave.
For a very brief period, I worked for the Naito family. Bill Naito put me in the Dr. Martens warehouse, quality controlling the soles of returned shoes. Not my favorite job, needless to say. I was warned by my peers in the warehouse that sometimes Mr. Naito liked to hide in the packing boxes on the conveyor belt to spy on the workers, making sure we were doing our job.
erin (favorite candy: Black licorice)
I've always loved to read and always wanted to see Powell's.
Leslie (left)(favorite candy: Reese's with white chocolate)
I was drawn to the mural of the women in sports, because you don't see that celebrated very often. We're big soccer fans and have season tickets to the Houston Dash.
Calice (right)(favorite candy: Reese's, even though I'm allergic to them)
This is one of the first things I saw, because I'm VERY hungry. I love pizza and I think that's a funny pyramid.
Anthony(favorite candy: Twix)
The separation of people caught my eye. The contrasts. People in Doc Martens and people wondering how they're going to eat.
James(favorite candy: Butterfinger)
11:30 a.m. | Inside Powell's Books
What can I say? I'm a dog lover.
Erin(favorite candy: Black licorice)
I was drawn to the color in an empty space. And it reminds me of the Riddler. There's a sense of nostalgia in it for me. I've always been a big Batman fan; I WAS Batman from age 2 - 10.
Jared(favorite candy: Pear Jelly Bellies, followed by Whoppers, Dots, Lemon Heads)
We're visiting from Honolulu. We don't have any bookstores there anymore. So, I'm nostalgic for them. Also, I'd love to have time to read on the weekends, but they're always booked.
Di (right)(favorite candy: Skittles)
I shop with intention, especially at a place like Powell's. So, I'll buy a lot and usually look for the baskets right away. These ones drew me in because they're so colorful.
Cady (right)(favorite candy: Twix)
I'm in strategic/marketing communications, so this installation drew me in. It's colorful and fun, off the wall. Not something you'd see at Barnes & Noble.
Jennifer (left)(favorite candy: Twix)
12:30 p.m. | Pioneer Square
My girlfriend and I have talked about doing this when we hit a "certain" age.
Erin(favorite candy: Black licorice)
I've often thought, 'I don't even know Mrs. Claus's first name.'
Tim(favorite candy: Snickers)
My grandfather passed away recently and it's really nice to see all these older people sharing and enjoying their talents. It makes me happy.
Madison(favorite candy: Sour Patch Kids)
It's really nice to see the intergenerational connection, the kids interacting with the seniors. The different ages coming together and sharing a space.
Matthew(favorite candy: Starbursts)
There's a lot going on here today and I've been drawn to these flowers, holding their place. I like that some of them are dead and some still alive and blooming. The contrast of life.
(Thanks to Karen, I now know this study I'm on has a name. Sonder: "The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own."
Karen
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