I started off this project looking at how Kirkby Lonsdale is shown in the shop window reflections, however, what I am beginning to end up with is an exploration of, and possible illustration of, complexity!  

 

Shop windows, as are the vast majority of windows, are designed to be looked through – the main exception to this that I can think of are stained glass windows.  The windows allow the passer by to see what the shop has to offer with the intent of enticing them into the shop.  They are a form of advertising and marketing.  Some stores go to great lengths to try and ensure that external factors do not disturb the viewer’s line of sight – from the prohibiting of things being parked immediately next to the window through to the use of non-reflective coatings.  The reflection could distract the shopper.  Similarly, photographers can go to great lengths to minimise or avoid reflections through the use of polarising filters etc.

 

But what if we stopped trying to look through and started to look at?  The only time that someone might look at a window is when literally window shopping (i.e. shopping for windows).  By looking at the window we are starting to change our perspective on what we see – we are not just privileging what is behind the glass – what the store owner wants us to see; but rather we are widening our focus to see what is around us, and depending on our angle of stance in relation to the window we might even get close to a 360 view, with the only thing possibly getting in our way is ourselves!