Concept: Jim Zimmerman
Photographer: Yoti Telio

Like pornography, you know art when you experience art. The statue of David is art. A spread eagle naked young lady on a web site is not. The latest Björk album is a work of art. The latest vapid album by One Direction album is not.

Dylan and I often talked about the merits of art. We would discuss what made art “good”. I told him many times that I thought that a truly great work of art can only be created when it contains some expression of the artist themselves. It has to have a connection to the artist that makes it real. He understood what I was saying and would site an example. One such example was a particular Senses Fail album for him.

I had an idea for something visual I wanted to create. The concept was very clear in my mind. Symbolic, yet obvious to anybody who knew Dylan. I wasn’t sure if I would have the courage to see it through. I discussed the idea with Marisa. She would have to be okay with it, because I needed her to be part of it. She was great and did not hesitate for a moment. I told her I wanted to try to create art, and not just a picture of us. I’m not sure she understood, but went along with me. I decided that it would be a gift to Donna for her birthday. I kept asking Marisa if she thought Donna would like it. I might have been looking for an easy exit from this idea.

I am glad that I did it. And I am glad that Marisa was so good about it. Otherwise, I may not have done it. I felt a great deal of relief after it was completed. It felt good to get it out of my system. I’m not sure that we created art, but we tried to create something to visually represent Dylan and how I have been feeling without him here.

Special thank you to Yoti Telio at Santa Clarita Photographic Studio for being patient with me and being open to my ideas. I needed his expertise to not only make my idea a reality, but to make it work.

Link to full image.

“Moments of clarity are so rare.
I better document this.”

Björk