Sofia has chosen a very interesting theme for this week – please visit her blog for more inspiration! Personally I might go for Simplicity/Complexity for the most part, but the labels are not easily set… So, let’s discuss them – and I will start with a quote of my liking:
Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
– Antoine de Saint-Exupery
It is preoccupation with possession, more than anything else, that prevents men from living freely and nobly.
– Bertrand Russell
The first two images could go for simplicity/complexity as well as minimalism/maximalism – but, I feel there is a certain difference… do you feel that too? Sofia wondered if it had to do with the subject – and I think it might.
The first one shows an old boatsman’s cottage, sparsely furnished in light, Scandinavian colours. The second one is the abandoned cottage of Åke, the man who made Kyrkö Mosse famous for its car graveyard in the forest. Do you think his single room could be called complex/maximalistic? It is sparsely furnished… but abandoned and left in a mess of details and colours – which also could be a description of what maximalism is about.
To me, the first photo shows a scenery for my eyes to rest on, and in the second photo my eyes are immediately drawn to strange details instead.
You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.
– Vernon Howard
The second couple of images might be minimalism/maximalism if you compare them, but the white dress is still detailed and elaboratedly made. Simplicity? Maybe, but the right one, a man’s dress, could easily be labelled both maximalism and complexity. Both outfits were made for great feasts but in different countries of Europe.
The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.
– Hans Hofmann
Last week we went for a couple of days to the small town of Västervik, where we wanted to see graffitti from three years of festivals. In an art museum, they also had some old Cirkus posters from one of the world’s greatest collections exhibited. Because of their fragility though, they were now being digitalised before going to the archives. (6000 of them were already there.) Some were as old as late 18th century. In the early history of cirkus some established artists, such as Tolouse Lautrec, were engaged to make the posters.
I would call the first poster minimalistic and the second one the epitome of maximalism. The Cyrk posters were made in Poland, and Trolle Rhodin held his famous cirkus shows in Sweden. Notice the US theme. I find the Polish poster very artistic, and still telling us the story perfectly well – what it is all about – without many details.
My last example is the beach – the first one the way I like it best, and the second one I would never visit. So, what does that tell you about me? I guess I am more minimalistic then, but I still like details… And how did I manage to take the second beach photo? Well, I went there just for a photo of the incredible crowd…
Finally, like Sofia, I will end with a scene that once blew me away – a poster for a fashion exhibition by our world famous designer Lars Wallin. I still find it so ”clean” and delicate.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
– Leonardo da Vinci
Thank you, Sofia, for making me question my thoughts on the essence of these words, and what I really like the most. An eye opener.
I would like to thank you all for the wonderful challenge responses last week. Magnificent, so many inspiring and innovative triptychs! As for this week, Sofia invites us to think of which fits our narrative best, simplicity or “more is more”, minimalism or maximalism, or does it depend on the subject? We’re looking forward to seeing your posts. As always, use the Lens-Artists tag and link to Sofia’s original post.
Next week the brilliant Anne at Slow Shutter Speed will host so make sure to have a look at her blog.
If you want more information about the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.
Leya 
Pingback: Lens-ArtistPC-202-Minimalism-Maximalism – WoollyMuses
Love the images and corresponding perfect quotes.
My favourite is beach images.
What a contrast!!
The last image is the ultimate simplicity at its best.
Thank you AC
So glad you liked them! I think it was a fun challenge – much to think about…
Great exploration of your personal style…and comparisons of both minimalism and maximalism. Great variety and wonderful images. I love the comparison of the clothes…and the beach. I figured you used a telephoto lens for the crowded beach! Wonderful post, as always, AC! Enjoy the weekend.
Thank you so much, Patti! Much to do this weekend – so little time.
What a great variety in photos! You have had so many varied experiences, some but probably not all captured by your camera. Thanks for sharing. I love those top two!
I am glad you liked it! And those two are my favourites!
Really great examples of the subject matter, Leya 👏 The near empty beach was definitely my favourite, so peaceful & serene 😃
Thank you, Jez – mine too.
Wonderful post for this challenge Ann-Christine! My favorites are the two beach scenes. Of course I tend to like the minimalistic scene, but the crowded beach is an amazing photo. It’s difficult to compose such a busy photo and you did a spectacular job.
Thank you, Anne! And then I just threw away a shot to remember the extreme crowd.
Wonderful examples, Ann-Christine! With these examples, I would tend toward simplicity. Too much detail, too much complexity makes me feel confused and unfocused. I love the beach scene with the two people. That’s my idea of a beach. The other one would be a nightmare for me 😉
Thank you – no way I would stay there either…
Wonderful photography as usual and I love your comparisons. 😀 😀
I am glad you like them, Cee! Thank you – I had fun with this challenge.
You raise a lot of interesting questions here. Except one: which beach to go to 🙂
😀 ♥
Your photos really bring this theme to life! And I like your thoughtful accompanying commentary. I found the circus posters very interesting with their contrasting styles, but the biggest impact has to be the two beach scenes – what a contrast! Of course I much prefer the beach on the left, it’s beautiful and perfect for photography 🙂
Thank you for a lovely comment! See you on the beach then, Sarah!
You’ve really embraced this challenge. The one that packs a punch is your duet of the empty beach and the – er- rather less empty one. I’ll take the first one please!
See you there, Margaret!
Erm. Which one 😉 ?
The best beach!
😉
They’re very interesting concepts, with subtle nuances
True
Loving the Mona Lisa poster!
Thanks – fun, isn’t it!
Yes 🤣💟
All-around wonderful, A-C. In that top set, I agree that the one on the left feels simple while the other feels cluttered, perhaps literally. Of course the beach scene covers both my idea of heavenly (the left) and of hell (the one fill of people.) Although I appreciate the photo, it makes me shudder to even think of being there.
Janet, thank you for your comment – and I can assure you we are shuddering together…
😁
😁. I thought as much.
😁
Great post! I LOVE the top photo, so beautiful. And the empty beach, I’m with you on that one! Lovely 💜
Thank you, Lisa, On the beach!
That Wallin poster was very cool and was put together well
My top photo from
Your rich post was the beach umbrellas at the beach 💛
Such a crowd indeed and it does change the experience big time
Thank you very much! So glad you liked the post, and I really liked this challenge.
☀️💛
I’m with Brian A-C, a wonderful post all the way through. Of course my favorite image is the last as I too think I am a minimalist and that is a fabulous example of it. I also loved all of your quotes – the first from my favorite book 😊
Ah, happy to hear, Tina! It was interesting, because the post ended up in me questioning the interpretations of those words. I enjoyed it very much. I like it when things take their own turns!
Great photos and comparisons. Very thoughtful.
Glad you like it, John – I started to question my interpretation of those words while working on the post. it was interesting.
Simplicity brings peace to the eye and the mind . . .
It does…
Well done explanations of your incredible photographs. My favorite example was the beach scene. I remember the crowded beaches on Long Island’s Jones Beach. A lovely beach with lots of colors, and smells from foods, and suntan lotions. Here on the west coast, I am more likely to find quiet beaches with coastal rock formations.
Ah, sunny memories then – thank you, Marlene!
This is a wow post Ann-Christine. Your examples are so thoughtful and stunning 🙂 🙂
Thank you for your positive comment, Brian! I started to think about how we define those words…and then I was not that sure anymore!
I was much the same 🙂
🙂