“…you are suspended in space…that sense of suspension is the ground according to the non-reference point of view of how to experience absolute symbolism.”

Chögyam Trungpa, Empty Gap of Mind from the book True Perception

About Absolute Photo Eye: Found Modern Art Exploration

This course engages direct perception without reference points. Not even the reference points of contemplative photography. You will learn to “let go,” enter a visual gap, and let the visual world manifest in its own direct ways.

The equivalent images are energetic, vivid, and aesthetic. They are Found Modern Art.

The aesthetic of these images resonates with works of certain schools of American Modern Art. A feature of this course is the cultural studies education. We will consider schools and artists such as Color Field (Ellesworth Kelly, Kenneth Noland et al), Assemblage (Robert Rauchenberg), Pop (Andy Warhol et al), Minimalism and Conceptual Art.

One of the intentions of this Zoom course is to produce brilliant found modern art images. You will become Absolute Photo Eye artists.

An in-person component

For those in the Toronto area we will schedule a Saturday or Sunday group visit to the exhibit “Moments in Modernism” at the Ontario Art Gallery. This is an exhibit of selected Modern American Artists.

No photographic experience necessary. You need a digital camera. (A smart phone camera works.)

Program price: $130
Patron price: $150

Our generosity policy applies at all times to ensure anyone may join us. If your financial situation is tight, please pay what you can. 

Registration Cap

This course is capped at 15 attendees. Please register below to reserve your spot.

About Your Teacher

John McQuade is a senior teacher at the Toronto and other Shambhala meditation centres. He teaches the contemplative arts and has co-authored two books on contemplative photography: ‘Looking and Seeing’ and ‘Heart of Photography.’ You can read more about John here.