This vintage picture of a vintage miniature van has been the wallpaper of my work laptop for the past few months.
One day during a department meeting, I was staring blankly into this picture when I noticed for the first time something which I've never noticed before. Apparently, two other colleagues sitting behind me were also drawn to my wallpaper. After the meeting, one of them asked me what this image was about and we started talking about it. I asked if she had found anything amiss in the picture and to share her views with me. After coming to conclusion with almost the same view, we started eliciting responses from the people around us.
So folks, what do you see in this picture? Do share with me your views. It could be anything! An interpretation, a picture description or your feelings about this picture. I'm bursting to tell you what I see but I would love to hear from all of you first!
[Publishing of comments are on hold coz some of you might just be notti and read the comments before forming your view.]
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My views:
This photo exudes a lovely vintage feel with a sunset wash of tone. The depth of field photography brings our focus to the van. This van reminds me of a vintage VW van. It is definitely a miniature as you could compare its size in relation to the fallen leaves around it. Everything looks so beautiful but there is something that sticks out like a sore thumb -- the thumb tack on top of the van and what looks like blood!
What is the intent of this picture? Why is a miniature van with a bloody thumbtack being depicted? Is there a sinister story behind it all? Was this little toy left at some playground to hurt people? Why is such a beautiful miniature van used for such purpose?
All the above questions were running through my mind once I spotted the bloody thumb tack. I can't even remember where I got this image from. It must have been during the period when I was choosing vintage images as part of my personalized Christmas gifts to friends. Try as I might, I couldn't trace back the source.
It was fun reading your comments and for those who spotted the bloody thumb tack, good for you! I had so much wanted to reply to you in excitement. I can't believe I only noticed this detail way after having this image as my wallpaper. For those who didn't spot it, it's ok. You are just like me. Some of my colleagues couldn't even see it was a miniature van. One commented that the umbrella on top of the van looks weird though she can't figure out why.
I guess I would have to find a new wallpaper soon. The bloody thumb tack has since grown from disturbing to intriguing and any longer I might just become desensitized to such morbidity. It is just so difficult to find a picture I like with enough simplicity on the left so that my desktop icons are still easily visible.
Jo... I swear I'm dense when it comes to things like this... I can't wait to see what I missed (I even made it big and looked at everything... lol)
ReplyDeleteBy the way I hope you figure out a quicker way back and forth to work... they are doing an over haul of our metro transit next year... I really hope it makes things better for me :-)... I'm tired of taking so long to get to work as I'm sure you are too :-/
Launna, I just edited this post to reveal my views. Did you see the bloody thumb tack now?
DeleteI could cut half an hour of time if my hubz could pick me from the nearest MRT station to our place. So each time he can't, I would have to take a direct bus which is 2 hours or bus, MRT and bus which could sometimes be less than 2 hours depending on circumstances. That night was unlucky. I hope your commute gets easier for you too!
I love the picture, Jo and I think it's a great comp wallpaper. I'm not good with picture interpretation but I can't get over how it looks like there's a bloody thumbtack on top of the van. LOL!
ReplyDeleteShireen | Reflection of Sanity
You managed to spot the bloody thumb tack, Shireen! It just had to spoil the beauty of the whole picture right? On the other hand, it is really intriguing. I don't get this picture at all! I edited this post to include my views in pink at the end.
DeleteYea, it's a really lovely picture but the bloody thumb tack gives me the creeps! LOL!
DeleteOh I feel so dense but all I see it a toy van with a tack on the top. In my defense, I am awfully sleepy :) Attack of the Van?
ReplyDeleteYou saw the tack! But you didn't see the blood. Did your conscious state see the blood after that?
DeleteI missed the blood altogether. That could be because I am color blind...if I was color blind :)
DeleteI see adventure...because we don't know where they are going...possibilities are endless!! xx
ReplyDeleteYou saw the beauty of the picture like how I did initially!
DeleteNoooo! I need to know what you see Jo! I can't see anything but a "toy" like van on the side of the road enveloped with dead leaves. I hate things like this, I can never seem to form a proper opinion without being influenced by others LOL. The only thing amiss is maybe the inside of the van, like the windscreen. The outside image is slightly too clear not blurred as everything is around it and there's some weird large half circle. Maybe supposed to be the steering wheel but it's way too big. Is this it?! Please tell me it is. Or maybe the surf board on top? The fin is awfully sharp and the red reminds me of blood! Oh God I am hopeless at this Jo. I bet I am way off. There's probably something like 2 faces happening or another "is the dress black or gold" thing.
ReplyDeleteSxx
www.daringcoco.com
Sonia, you're not hopeless. You were reading more and more into the picture and you saw what I saw. The bloody thumb tack! You got it! I had to relook at the picture to know what semi circle you were talking about. I think that's indeed the steering wheel. It could be that big since steering wheels of vans are big no matter whether it is a miniature. The size should be in relativity. I tried google image VW vintage vans to see if I could see the steering wheel but it is not that visible from all the images.
DeleteHahah, Jo, this is a funny game! I enjoyed it! To be honest, I see a mini car/truck toy riding on a sunny autumn day, passing between golden leaves. The ground looks like it's wooden. Having in mind that this is a toy, maybe it is placed on a table outdoors or something like that. In general, I really like the light and the energy and joy coming from this picture! Let me know what do you see, when you feel ready. Kisses!
ReplyDeletesunandsany
Haha... Sany, You saw the beauty of the picture like how I did initially! Everything looks so beautiful until I saw the bloody thumbtack. I don't get this picture at all after I saw that! BTW, I edited this post to include my views in pink at the end.
DeleteIt appears to have a thumb tack on its luggage rack??? I don't know if that is a VW van, but it reminds me of one a friend of my dad had way back when. I don't think it ran, but it held fond memories for him. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks like a miniature or toy VW van. I like the details of this toy. You saw the thumb tack but did you notice the blood? That's very intriguing right?
DeleteI thought it was paint, but I like your interpretation better. :)
DeleteLol, you already know what I saw Jo and I dont know if Im the one crazy who maybe read too much legal thriller (thats why the blood!^^'). Share soon the revelation as Im so curious!:P Enjoy the weekend, hugs! xo
ReplyDeleteLilli, You managed to spot the bloody thumb tack! It just had to spoil the beauty of the whole picture right? On the other hand, it is really intriguing. It is definitely not your reading of too much legal thriller. I don't get this picture at all! I edited this post to include my views in pink at the end.
DeleteI have no idea what this picture really means, but as soon I saw it, I notice a drawing-pin on the top of this van. Moreover, I see a blood drop bestained this drawing-pin. What could it possible mean?
ReplyDeleteYou spotted the bloody thumb tack, Alex and yes!!! What does it mean? It's just too intriguing and mysterious.
DeleteIt looks like a painted miniature wooden toy van with a pin placed on it's roof, rolling along paving stones.. the van I can understand, the pin I cannot (that is, if it even is a pin haha!) :)
ReplyDeleteGabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
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You saw the pin/ thumb tack but did you notice the blood? That's very intriguing right? I can't understand it too.
Delete