Motivology Matters

Someone recently shared some images with me that were taken inside of old abandoned structures. These images were beautiful, but at the same time they were a little haunting and a little depressing. The individual that shared the images with me is working on a project that would explore various structures in Detroit. I thought that this was a very interesting idea and worth sharing. My perspective on the project, however, was challenged by someone I shared it with.

The individual who challenged my thinking referred to the project as “Ruin Porn”, which was something he could not promote. I had never heard that phrase used before, so I did what I normally do…I Googled it. I found several articles about “Ruin Porn” and read them with great interest. These articles and blog posts discussed the various merits and demerits of the work. Is it art? Is it obscene? What does it say about our society? Does it damage the reputation of the city where the images are taken?

After much reading and even more thought I came to realize that it is all about context. These images are just that, images. They hold no meaning. These places exist and the individual who has captured these images can do a couple different things that would impact how the images are viewed.
First, they can present the images in their rare form. In this case the context, the interpretation, of what these images mean would be up to the viewer. Granted, the method in which the images are captured might convey a specific feeling and I am sure that a true artist is going to be able to put emotion into their art, but the images are still going be open to interpretation. What I see and what you see could very well be 3 different things. I might see what was and the decay left behind by brighter times. You, on the other hand, may see what could be and how, like a phoenix; it can be raised from the ashes.

Second, the artist could place the images within a context that would advance a specific agenda. Detroit has seen this. I think this is why some people feel the hair on the back of their necks start to raise and their blood start to boil when a project highlighting blight and decay is mentioned. I can see why it would be called “Ruin Porn”. If the artist decides that they only want to show the ugliness, the devastation, and the complete ruin of a once shining gem of society they depress the viewer. They create a feeling of woe and helplessness. If, however, the artist places the images within a context of beauty and of what can be they can give the viewer hope.
If you have read this far, you may be wondering what all of this has to do with motivation. It has a lot to do with our motivation and our motives. By using the example above we can examine how we perceive information that is presented to us and how we present information to others. How are we being influenced by our surrounding and how are we choosing to influence others.

Our motivation, our internal drive, adapts as we receive additional information. We make decisions based on these internal drives. So, if someone presents us with images that are shrouded in darkness and negatively our internal drives that are pushing us to be more positive may steer away from those images, steer away from those surroundings. If, however, those images are presented to us in a positive light, in a way that inspires us, our positive drive may move us to those images and to those surroundings. Rumor has it that Greenland was given its name to attract individuals to it shores.

We also have our motives, our own reasons for presenting something in a certain light. Just as we must be vigilant in how we interpret the information that we are receiving, we must also be vigilant in the way that we present information. I would suggest that it is in our best interest to present information in either the raw form or in a positive light. It does not serve us well to be negative. If we allow ourselves to think negative we are only hurting ourselves.

In the end, it is all about context. An image is just an image.