Absence and Presence
"Wherever I am, I am what is missing" - Mark Strand
"You know that its happening when you're no longer bored by the absence of the spectacular" - Robert Hughes
"Fundamental equation of our lives is absence and presence" - Maria Relka
absence · [ab-suh ns]
noun
1. state of being away or not being present
2. period of being away
3. failure to attend or appear when expected.
4. lack; deficiency
5. inattentiveness; preoccupation
Is it really a deficiency or a lack of something? The space which is absent is sometimes as full or even more occupied than what is actually present. Whatever is not there at that moment is absent, but it still holds the memories, emotions, history, motion, and presence of the past. We can't see it physically, but we can sense it sometimes even more so than what is actually present.
presence · [prez-uh ns]
noun
1.the state or fact of being present, as with others or in a place.
2.attendance or company
3.immediate vicinity; proximity
4.the military or economic power of a country as reflected abroad by the stationing of its troops, sale of its goods, etc.
5.Chiefly British. the immediate personal vicinity of a great person age giving audience or reception
6.the ability to project a sense of ease, poise, or self-assurance,especially the quality or manner of a person's bearing before an audience
7.personal appearance or bearing, especially of a dignified or imposing kind
"Wherever I am, I am what is missing" - Mark Strand
"You know that its happening when you're no longer bored by the absence of the spectacular" - Robert Hughes
"Fundamental equation of our lives is absence and presence" - Maria Relka
absence · [ab-suh ns]
noun
1. state of being away or not being present
2. period of being away
3. failure to attend or appear when expected.
4. lack; deficiency
5. inattentiveness; preoccupation
Is it really a deficiency or a lack of something? The space which is absent is sometimes as full or even more occupied than what is actually present. Whatever is not there at that moment is absent, but it still holds the memories, emotions, history, motion, and presence of the past. We can't see it physically, but we can sense it sometimes even more so than what is actually present.
presence · [prez-uh ns]
noun
1.the state or fact of being present, as with others or in a place.
2.attendance or company
3.immediate vicinity; proximity
4.the military or economic power of a country as reflected abroad by the stationing of its troops, sale of its goods, etc.
5.Chiefly British. the immediate personal vicinity of a great person age giving audience or reception
6.the ability to project a sense of ease, poise, or self-assurance,especially the quality or manner of a person's bearing before an audience
7.personal appearance or bearing, especially of a dignified or imposing kind