“Stop thinking about artworks as objects and start thinking about them as triggers for experiences. What makes a work of art good for you is not something that’s inside it but something that happens inside you.” ―
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Confession time, I’m a box hoarder. I’d like to keep original boxes for any substantial device I get. Of course, I’d justify this by saying that I’ll need that box in case something breaks and I have to send it back. In truth, I can only remember one time when I used an original box after the fact, a Nikon D600 sent in for warranty recall. Except for some computers and cameras, most small devices are disposable these days. They seem to last at least one day pass the warranty, and so when they break you buy a new one, you seldom have repairs done. Bonnie makes fun of me for wanting to save boxes. With full-time RV’ing a few years ago and a continuing path of living lite, I’ve gotten much better controlling these urges.
I thought of this because recently, I recycled a few boxes as I was decluttering and reorganizing my computer station desk with a couple of new stackable storage drawers. But that initial urge was to save those boxes. :-)
In a previous post on May 28th titled “Simple Things Viewed Anew” I spoke of taking the simple and often ordinary things, one might encounter in a routine day, and finding a way to view them in new ways. Since then, I’ve posted several images of things (plants, flowers, etc.) I’ve seen on morning walks with Maggie. I’ve found this effort to have a “new view” to both inspire me and center me. The image above is of common Johnson Grass growing along the mowed edge of a park. The morning sun was striking its bowed leaves providing an interesting division of light and shadow. A dual-tone complementary color effect and simplification of distracting details along with other adjustments gave me what I wanted for this “new view”.
I do the same with photo stuff have the boxes for every camera and lens I have. As well as for my laptop and desktop which actually are no longer returnable. I guess I should get rid of them. But what if I want to sell lenses to upgrade etc. I totally love that quote. And also think it’s totally true. We are all different and the internal experience of artwork reverberated differently for everyone dependent on the particular piece.
Well, from reading these comments it seems I’m certainly not alone in saving original boxes for at camera equipment. :-) A few years ago when I sold all my Nikon gear I did have some of the original boxes which were convenient for packaging but didn’t seem to add anything to the perceived value or speed of the sale for the gear. And most of those boxes had been stored for years. I totally agree with you on the quote. Take care, Howard, stay well and have a good weekend.
I admit this is a tough one for me too. Sometimes it is in case I need to send something back and have all the original protective packaging. Other times it is because I think it will hold “more value” in the future if I resell it. But more often than not, it seems to just take up space.
From the comments so far, it seems to be a commonality. At one time or the other, I’ve made all the arguments trying to defend my “box saving” but years of experience hasn’t supported most of my arguments. The only point that seems to hold a little water is that the original box and packaging is convenient for shipping if you need to ship the gear.
Then there’s that box or bag of cables I have stashed away…USB, RJ-45, audio, display, power supplies and charging cables saved from almost every device I’ve ever owned. But that’s another subject. Haha :-)
Thanks and have a good weekend, Mark.
Oh no……you save cables too?! I thought I was the only one.
Howard, maybe we can get a group rate on therapy. LOL 😎
Count me in on that therapy!
For cables and chargers – I have been affixing labels to the cords to indicate what device they are for. I think that is perhaps a hint at a larger issue.
OK, got you on the list, Mark!
Oh, an OCD hoarder…that may require some extra sessions. :-)
Uh oh…I do that too. But only for devices that are hooked up and in use.
I’m in
I’ve got a good place to store boxes, so I do keep them. The trick is to get rid of the boxes when I get rid of whatever came in them. I have traded in and sold some camera gear, and while I don’t think it adds any value it’s a good way to package things up for shipping.
Yeah, I don’t have any qualms in getting rid of a box when I no longer have whatever came in it…there is some method to my madness. I think the point of keeping an original box and packaging because it’s convenient for shipping has some validity. But then when you look at it from the point of view that you’ll store a box for years and years to save a few minutes of using bubble wrap and shipping peanuts that logic can get a little cloudy…even with a good place to store them. :-)
I’m a box saver, too. I recently did some clean up (due to forced shelter in place) and got rid of the box my old HP computer came in. I got rid of the computer 5 years ago but KEPT THE BOX! That’s how disturbed I am.
Ooooh Ken, now that’s a very bad sign 😊
Ken, you’re definitely overqualified for our therapy group plan. It sounds like I’m going to have to rent a bus to transport us all. :-)
Thanks.
I’m all in!
I’m guilty also! Looks like it’s going to be a big group session.
Wow on the image. I just stared at it, my eyes moving all over the place. I think my walks with my camera and being open to what I see is because it “inspires me and centers me” also. I’m of the belief it helps me view things anew. It is a form of therapy, meditation and prayer.
It will be fun, we can get a bus!
We can write “Therapy Bus – All Welcome “ in big letters in the side. And inside the music will be The Who’s Magic Bus!
Sounds good to me. 🚌👍
Thanks for your comments on the image, Monte. I saw those grass leaves as bold quick strokes with a brush of light and the shadows as background context. I hoped the complimentary yellow and blue carried that impressionistic view.
I have no doubt your camera, walks, and openness to seeing and truly view are having a positive effect. I think your posts and photos reflect that very positively.
Also, welcome to the group. As you can see we’re a very enthusiastic bunch. In addition to our “Therapy Bus,” there probably should be t-shirts as well. I’m just not sure what would be on the shirts? :-)