“In abstract mathematics or abstract art, the purpose is to describe inner states of our mind, and to explore the limits of our own imagination and our capacity for creativity. While this has some applications in the world, I think it leads to a distance from the world. Going to Congo was for me an act of seeking proximity, of breaking that distance. With abstraction, which is brilliant and vain, you divorce yourself from any kind of proximity to other people.” PeopleThinkingWorldMindKindArtPurposeImaginationCreativityMathematicsDistanceDivorceBrilliantVainAbstractApplicationCongo Author:Anjan Sundaram
“What I really intend to achieve is to be that fly on the wall, and to try and observe as much as I can without affecting what I've seen. I want to get a sense that what I'm seeing in a place would have happened had I not be there. Were I to make myself an important presence, that would be lost. The danger of a certain other kind of reporting is that people give you what they think you are seeking. People know what you want. When I was traveling in Congo and Rwanda and people asked me what I wanted, I would say, "Nothing. I just want to be here." And that immediately disarmed them.” PeopleThinkingGivingTryingKindImportantAchieveDangerWallCongoRwanda Author:Anjan Sundaram
“When people know what you want, they can then manipulate that to achieve the end that they seek. It's far more interesting and valuable to bear witness to a scene and make good relationships without explicitly seeking something. You're more likely to obtain a far richer and honest experience that way.” PeopleInterestingAchieveHonestSceneValuableWitnessManipulateGood Relationship Author:Anjan Sundaram