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D.B. Kim

In the Waiting Line

January 30, 2009

Vogue Cafe, Tokyo; photo by D.B. Kim.

“Between the wish and the thing life lies waiting.” ~ Proverb

Like it or not, waiting is a part of traveling, and, let’s face it, a part of life. Over the years, while tackling such a necessary chore, I have developed the useful activity of painting visual vignettes: cropping out unwanted views and focusing on details that stir something in me. In this world, I find a silence, which is probably why people accuse me of snubbing them. I get lost in my own construction of patience.

Blue Lounge, Vals, Switzerland; photo by D.B. Kim.

As many of us must often do, I wait for friends, family, and colleagues—outside a movie theater, in a restaurant, at a museum, etc. It is natural for me to be punctual. Friends attribute this politeness to my Korean descent. I am not sure if most Koreans are punctual, but I am sure that tardiness exists everywhere with everyone.

Wherever I must wait, I always discover something from the given atmosphere—sights that often appear as ordinary. I squint my eyes and stare at walls, windows, furniture, fixtures, people, and, in general, just plain stuff. I visually crop and edit. I wait. I do it again.

Blue Lagoon restaurant, Iceland; photo by D.B. Kim.

At times, my views are inspiring and precious, but some remind me of what not to do. These are most important as well. Certainly my inspiration comes not only from beautiful sights, but also from unimaginative ones. Possibilities are endless, and it is up to me to gently, and sometimes hastily, interpret my surroundings as something significant and motivating.

Today, the following images are about interiors in which I have waited. Some are of notable structures, others from more ordinary spaces, such as restaurants, diners, and a cinema. I hope this slideshow will inspire you to create your own worlds while waiting.

Posted by D.B. Kim on January 30, 2009 | Comments (14)

Industries: Research

February 2, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Joseph episcopo commented:

i love the graphic and modern scope of the vogue cafe. great visual. in addition i really love the contrast of the second picture. the color and life of a flower against the sterile unnourishing cold of nature. i can almost hear those flowers gigiling against mother natures failure to smother their lives. very poetic.

February 2, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Jim Isaacs commented:

Beautiful,serene,inspiring. Thank you for this gift D.B.

February 1, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Tommy St Allman commented:

Wow, when I wait in line I grow so frustrated, and that frustration just builds on it self. I do see beauty all around, but I had never thought to look there, in line. Thank you for the idea and beautiful imagery.

January 31, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Siri Jenthanomma commented:

Your prospective is less painful, better than the actual and more inspiring!

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
fashion fairy commented:

waiting as a thing itself- rather than a thing in between. i like that. a lovely insight

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Miry Park commented:

Your beautiful images bring forth beautiful memories of waiting along with you. Thanks!

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Emma kim commented:

Very well spoken. Beautiful pictures. - emma

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Chris commented:

It is refreshing that "waiting" is used for something useful like appreciating beauty and not staring at a blackberry. I found the picture from Vals, particularly appealing and will store it in my memory bank for recall later. Thank you.

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
ron laxamana commented:

How inspiring! As I travel often, I understand what D.B.'s exemplifying here. Can't wait for next visuals...

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
wyndham commented:

i love the glass mosaics at Klee as well. in my travels i've found beauty in the ugliness and dirtiness of some places: the walls of the metro in mumbai, the cracked sidewalks in nicaragua, the bodegas in brooklyn...

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Gino Gianneschi commented:

always worth the wait...another wonderful group of photos.

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Rafe Totengco commented:

I find myself sketching when I'm waiting but sometimes you find yourself totally absorbed by what's happening around you that you lose yourself, and I love it when it happens.

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
voltaire gutierrez commented:

i like to think that waiting are just moments in between, and can become itself, a destination. i also find myself getting lost in the silence of the moments between. its a great time to renew and find stillness........ i much rather be early and wait, then be anxious and rush..... i enjoyed your slide show of images. i found great abstraction with geometry, lines, and forms. thanks much.

January 30, 2009

In response to: In the Waiting Line
Joshua Mann commented:

I can relate as I am usually punctual.