“The perception of apparently significant patterns or recognizable images, especially faces, in random or accidental arrangements of shapes and lines.” — Definition of pareidolia
I didn’t know there was a word for it.
"You may have learned the word 'pareidolia,' but I'll still call it 'cloud-gazing.'" — used in a sentence
I obviously have a bad case of it. Years ago I was teaching a studio class to a group of middle school boys. They were a wild bunch and often less than engaged in the lesson.
It was a warm day with the wind rolling some interesting clouds through the sky. I decided to take a career risk and take the drawing class outside.
It took some mild cajoling, but soon the boys were discovering all sorts of fanciful dragons and things. They had to draw fast, for the sky was continually changing.
They got quiet, the concentration level of the group rose. They were producing some really good drawings.
They forgot to be awkward adolescents and enjoyed a deep dive into the simple pleasure of discovery. They stopped picking on each other. They had been given the freedom of childhood again.
All too soon, it was time to go in. I thought of my own childhood — hours spent wandering in the woods — and wondered. I wondered if these boys ever got much time outside, save for organized games.
I wished for them an afternoon in nature.
Photos by Bob Kirchman
Both Sides Now
Joni Mitchell
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would've done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions, I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancin' way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughin' when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions, I recall
I really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well, something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions, I recall
I really don't know life at all
I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions, I recall
I really don't know life at all