“What if an entire universe existed in my cup of coffee?”: Ed Valfre on the stories behind the stories of TALES FROM DREAMLAND
In celebration of the publication of Tales from Dreamland, Los Angeles–based photographer Ed Valfre is taking over the Enchanted Lion blog. In this post, he shares six of the stories behind the stories from the book—the life experiences, art influences, and musings that led him to uncover the surprising, the magical, and the profound that surrounds us in the everyday.
Moments of Beautiful Light
This is the story of leaving Austin, Texas after college and driving to Los Angeles, a place I knew nothing about. I left with $600 and an old car and no idea what was to come of this bold move, but I knew I needed to shake things up. On the road, I became fascinated by the landscape and the light, even light in a cheap motel room. The road was the beginning of my journey to becoming a photographer and the beautiful light I was going to follow for the rest of my life. David Bowie once said that taking chances is like stepping into the water when you no longer can touch the bottom. It is scary at first, then you realize you are okay.
Levitation
I attended a salsa concert where everyone danced. Young and old were dancing together. There was such joy in these moments of movement and community. As I left the concert, I saw this older gentleman whom I had seen dancing with many beautiful women. I noticed a lightness to his step as if he were floating home. I believe now I will dance until the day I can no longer move, and maybe even then, I will dance in my mind.
Lunch in the Clouds
Years ago, I worked at the legendary Paramount Studios. During my lunch breaks, I would explore the movie streets where many famous films were shot. When I decided to finally grab a bite to eat, I had a favorite table. I liked the idea of the sky and my sandwich together on that glass top table. Did it make the sandwich better? Sadly no, but the few minutes sitting there were a perfect little moment in the day.
Coffee or Oblivion
I once saw a film adaptation of Jame Joyce’s Ulysses. In one scene, cream was poured into a cup of tea. It resembled a galaxy in a teacup. That image always stayed with me whenever I had my morning coffee with cream. I thought about Joyce’s Ulysses and the universe of this book taking place in a single day. What if an entire universe existed in my cup of coffee? These are the strange little thoughts I had that led to the story of a galaxy in a coffee cup.
The Last Photo
My dad bought me a little plastic camera. I would sometimes accompany him to a nightclub on the San Antonio River where he played New Orleans jazz. Taking photos and listening to the music were perhaps the happiest moments of my childhood. My dad had a great sense of humor and a love for music. I adored him. He died of a stroke at 56 years old. I was 13 and devastated by his death. I did not see this accidental photo until months after his passing. It was a beautiful and sad surprise. The person you loved might be gone, but the love stays with you forever.
What Song Do They Sing?
Music has always been the source of comfort, joy and inspiration for me. I wondered if earth was the only place in the universe where such a magical thing exists. Music is to me a spiritual experience. It moves me on an immediate level. As the story says, music is a beautiful form of math and physics is across the universe. Perhaps there are songs waiting to be heard from light years away.
TALES FROM DREAMLAND
Photographs and stories by Ed Valfre
Los Angeles-based photographer Ed Valfre imagines stories from snapshots of ordinary life, inviting readers to discover the magical in the everyday.
“Through the lens of Ed Valfre’s mind, the everyday becomes the ethereal. His images spark the imagination and take us to a place just beyond reach. Or perhaps the dream already exists and Valfre shows us the proof.” —TV producer Michael Feldman