The Butterfly Catcher

I read Kathryn Rickett's essay, "The Butterfly Catcher" several days before our class with her and I remember having to sit on it before writing a reflection on it. Clearly the days passed and I did not end up writing one but I remember I wasn't prepared to write it fresh after reading it. We've encountered a lot of embodied mathematics through physical movement and dance in this course and I have always struggled with it.

There are a few points as I try to break down my interpretation of her essay. It was without doubt, hard for me to relate to. Immediately after saying such a thing, I find it imperative to mention that it isn't always about finding something that relates to you - there doesn't always have to be such a self-centred approach whenever you interpret media in any form. Sometimes, despite the lack of personal connection, you can appreciate something for what it is and find the beauty of it through the creator's perspective. I was unable (unwilling?) to do that while reading this writing. Part of it I think was the conviction with which Rickett's wrote. Truly, I was unable to get passed the dominating topic of dance and performance to see through to the shared emotions of humans such as perseverance and true friendship. 

As I sit here now (actually I'm standing because I hurt my back playing basketball), I'm enamoured by Kathryn's gesture of staying by her friend's side during a difficult time for him. To drop everything, and go to her friend to help him with his life is something remarkable and shouldn't be looked over despite unshared hobbies and interests. 

I am not sure if you remember "Humans of New York". It's basically a man who used to take pictures of people and post his conversation with them in the caption - to say it took the world by storm may be an understatement. There are several posts that I know will stay with my for life; one of which was of a man who was (is?) a photographer. If I remember correctly, his partner had passed away and he said when he used to come to the park he used to see beauty in everything and could take many photos every day/week. After his partner passed, he was barely taking a picture a week. There is something so profound about that and I couldn't help but think about it when reading this article. I have an obvious inability to see the beauty and appreciate the meaning behind Kathryn and Jorge's dance act/performance. I am sure however they themselves as well as the dancers and audience members who can find appreciation in it will see the relevance, will capture what's being said and will find the beauty in it.