the perception of an empty space is as every bit as prominent as what it is between.
the wait,
a pause -
semiautomatic breath.
transitional, it punctuates, always stepping aside to elevate.
space is what happens when we aren't paying attention, which is how and why we pay attention to that which contrasts the perceived empty space as something that is indeed a thing and not space.
So a "creation" is accentuated by the space that gives it its relevance; whether that be sociocultural or geographic.
Sociocultural, ie: popular mexican cultural images such as the Virgen de Guadalupe emblazoned on American Apparel shirts worn by non-zero gen mexicans. Because most zero generation mexican immigrants in the US are considered of a low economic echelon, powerless, or fashionless they become the space contrasted by the venerated; hipsters, yuppies, etc. who appropriate these same cultural images and give them a different relevancy...one that is not ignored. These appropriated cultural images repurpose what was otherwise invisible in the sociocultural space of a city/neighborhood.
In the geographic landscape, empty spaces are old dirty neighborhoods devoid of people who matter and/or are without the economic infrastructure to generate the significant capital to matter. These neighborhoods with their low rents, dense and diverse population and higher rates of crime become gentrified. The usually lighter skinned, high income "risk" taking land owners capitalize on this space to create something that is often in direct contrast with the character of the neighborhood. Appropriating a space to make it their own while leaving the inferior demographic to fend for themselves. While one may argue that gentrifiers are simply playing by the rules, what is disturbing is their sheer ignorance how they replicate a local scale manifest destiny.
Individualistically, space is often conflated for a "waste" of time. Its what happens when you are waiting for that which is what is considered doing. Waiting for our ride, for the show to start, for your friend to arrive is an opportunity to acknowledge and become aware of that space where you are at in time. To ponder, stretch, create, be amused, be on. Don't turn off. Don't waste your time but also do not forget to be patient with space.
While space may be essential to creating the "thing", I say recognize it as such, but do not forget what how and why that is so.
This is a call to pay homage to space and see the invisible, life is too short.
