Collecting photos and artwork

[autism-and-autotune]

Um, I don't know if this discussion should go here, or in a special interest thread, or...something else. It might be weird but bear with me.

So, you know how there's this portrayal or just...quirk that some men (trying not to generalize, but) have about collecting either images, statues, whatever form of visualization of women? You know--some rich guy in a movie having essentially Playboy but fancier in one room, and not even for erotic or sexual needs---just to have. this post may seem sexist or misogynistic but that's not my intent.

In college, during a masterclass/studio, I remember the head pianist talking about one fellow piano instructor she'd known who was pretty respected in the piano community, and a very good instructor, but a curious fellow. "When he died, for the bust on his gravestone he wanted a cello, but it was a cello that looked like the midsection of a naked woman." That disgusting pig, I remember thinking.

...but the more I learn about autism and fixations, and indeed my own mistakes and quirks of the past, the more it's got me thinking. Collecting things, even if they have no 'immediate purpose or otherwise value' is definitely something we're prone to doing. I don't like pornography in the least--it's become too weird and commercialized the industry itself is toxic and harmful to women, so for moral reasons it's nothing I engage in---but having been an awkward young man who hyper-focused on nudity and sex, both of which harmed myself and my relationship---is it too far-fetched to think that anatomy in art form (paintings, statues, etc) is, well...taboo? Or not taboo? Golly I'm embarrassed.

So for example, there's this movie called Cashback about a guy with insomnia who can control time and is also a photographer. Specifically he views the female form as artwork, and not out of desires of lust or other urges. Now some could see that films and say, "Oh, this is gross and sexist!" which I guess it would be if that was all he desired from women, and not having a relationship or normal platonic friendship/work relationship/etc, which he certainly did.

In college, especially because it was the first time I'd been really around girls, I just couldn't not have a focus on sexual desires. Not that I actively pursued things from random girls; it would've been wrong and I was too awkward. But it felt like I was a prisoner in my own head--'we want what we cannot have' sort of thing. I was Tantalus in Hades, and everything my brain made me desire was the fleeting water or the fruit hanging just out of reach.

I don't know where I'm going with this, nor how to conclude it.

 

[Outdated]

I never understood collectors. I have never had those inclinations. I have a rather large music collection because I like music but I never buy anything to complete any collections. Some bands I have everything they ever created but only because I'm an Aussie and we tend to share our music and update each other's collections.

So with bands like The Beatles and Floyd I have complete collections, but they're only complete by accident, not by design. I lied about this during my autism diagnosis though, I was really trying for ASD2 so I could get the pension.

 

[autism-and-autotune]

I never understood collectors. I have never had those inclinations. I have a rather large music collection because I like music but I never buy anything to complete any collections. Some bands I have everything they ever created but only because I'm an Aussie and we tend to share our music and update each other's collections.

So with bands like The Beatles and Floyd I have complete collections, but they're only complete by accident, not by design. I lied about this during my autism diagnosis though, I was really trying for ASD2 so I could get the pension.

Yeah...collectors/hoarders are strange, to me. I dislike clutter. Sure I'm messy but I don't like having so much stuff. My mother is infamous for hoarding teapots. "Oh, I don't have autism!" I imagine her saying...sure ma.

Can you explain please ASD2? Is it referring to levels? I don't know what level I am...

 

[Outdated]

There's others that can give much better technical descriptions than I can, but basically it goes like this:

ASD1 autistic but functions well in society, often people don't realise they are autistic, also known as Asperger's.
ASD2 is severe autism, poor social function, struggles in many situations.
ASD3 is people who are disabled with autism and need full time care.

 

[autism-and-autotune]

There's others that can give much better technical descriptions than I can, but basically it goes like this:

ASD1 autistic but functions well in society, often people don't realise they are autistic, also known as Asperger's.
ASD2 is severe autism, poor social function, struggles in many situations.
ASD3 is people who are disabled with autism and need full time care.

Hmmm....Thanks for your description! I feel that I'm level two. This is the most apt description of me.

 

[Outdated]

@Crossbreed is really good at describing how this works, perhaps he can refine what I said and help you work out where you fit.

 

[autism-and-autotune]

@Crossbreed is really good at describing how this works, perhaps he can refine what I said and help you work out where you fit.

Also...well, not to sway the results of my hopeful examination by the state, but how can I ensure to be level 2? In recent paperwork, I was adamant on emphasis of what I cannot do because of my autism (which, in reflect, is a lot).

 

[Outdated]

As it turned out, I didn't have to try too hard. At the end of my diagnosis they tried to talk me into allowing visits from social workers.

I just didn't hide anything at all. I've always been weird though, ever since I was little. I was unable to act like everyone else and gave up trying, I didn't learn to mask and mimic until after I left school. I had a great life until I was 35, I was very social and very active and earning much more than most.

But then I had a massive burnout which in the end saw me walk out of my life to go live like a feral animal in the rainforests. I think telling them about that was the clincher for me. I'm on a full pension now.

 

[autism-and-autotune]

As it turned out, I didn't have to try too hard. At the end of my diagnosis they tried to talk me into allowing visits from social workers.

I just didn't hide anything at all. I've always been weird though, ever since I was little. I was unable to act like everyone else and gave up trying, I didn't learn to mask and mimic until after I left school. I had a great life until I was 35, I was very social and very active and earning much more than most.

But then I had a massive burnout which in the end saw me walk out of my life to go live like a feral animal in the rainforests. I think telling them about that was the clincher for me. I'm on a full pension now.

Hmm...I see! I just remember that in my initial diagnosis, there was the issue that my autism doesn't affect how I live my life--I don't need help with chores, dressing, bathing, etc. But it does affect the socialization of my life, which curiously wasn't seen as as much of an issue? I always fear that I'm not 'disabled enough' to warrant getting SSI/SSDI. All autism, no matter how severe or otherwise, is disabling.

 

[Outdated]

fear that I'm not 'disabled enough' to warrant getting SSI/SSDI.

To put it bluntly, I did what my father always called "bunging on an act". Getting diagnosed isn't cheap, I wanted my money's worth.

 

[autism-and-autotune]

To put it bluntly, I did what my father always called "bunging on an act". Getting diagnosed isn't cheap, I wanted my money's worth.

You're right! If my writing and various notes didn't prove anything...I'll have to further prove it in person.

 

[Judge]

Funny to consider that while I've collected certain things throughout my life, I've never focused on them having to be "complete". I guess that's one case where my OCD didn't intrude its ugly head. Go figure.

I have a photo album, though most of it is relative to film cameras and prints from the 80s to the end of the century. With some of the pictures involving girlfriends who enjoyed being photographed in various stages of undress. Probably because I developed my own b/w images at the time. Taboo? I never really thought about it that much. They had fun and so did I. But those images are not hanging on my walls, nor is my photo album on a coffee table I don't own...lol.

I also have a select number of prints of a particular artist (Thomas McKnight) hanging on my walls, but with no desire to increase their number being well aware of the limits of my wall space. And not wanting for my apartment to look like a restaurant.

 

[velociraptor]

So for example, there's this movie called Cashback about a guy with insomnia who can control time and is also a photographer. Specifically he views the female form as artwork, and not out of desires of lust or other urges.

I think it is possible to do tasteful studies of both nude male and female forms, it's just not something I'm interested in. The only thing I collect per se is vintage film cameras. I love them and have a large collection. I gave up my collections of books, movies, and music to save space.

Other than my vintage cameras, the stuff I collect is stuff I use, e.g. the electronics in my home-based online station.

You'll notice nothing sexual or even nude in my collections.

 

[Crossbreed]

@Crossbreed is really good at describing how this works, perhaps he can refine what I said and help you work out where you fit.

When you get a diagnosis, that person determines how much support you likely need.

Hmm...I see! I just remember that in my initial diagnosis, there was the issue that my autism doesn't affect how I live my life--I don't need help with chores, dressing, bathing, etc. But it does affect the socialization of my life, which curiously wasn't seen as as much of an issue? I always fear that I'm not 'disabled enough' to warrant getting SSI/SSDI. All autism, no matter how severe or otherwise, is disabling.

If you cannot afford to pursue a diagnosis, see...
https://autlanders.blogspot.com/2019/07/finding-support-resources-in-usa.html

 

[autism-and-autotune]

I think it is possible to do tasteful studies of both nude male and female forms, it's just not something I'm interested in. The only thing I collect per se is vintage film cameras. I love them and have a large collection. I gave up my collections of books, movies, and music to save space.

Other than my vintage cameras, the stuff I collect is stuff I use, e.g. the electronics in my home-based online station.

You'll notice nothing sexual or even nude in my collections.

What an impressive collection! That's some dedication right there.

 

[velociraptor]

That's some dedication right there.

You know how all the Aspie quizzes ask if you are fixated on your interests?

Uh, yah.

 

[SusanLR]

I have only one thing that I really like to collect. Rocks and crystals.
Nothing about nudity or the human body attracts me as far as wanting photos
or statues and such.
Nothing wrong with it for those who do IMO. But I would think there is some
psychological reason for wanting to. Perhaps it is sexual or perhaps it is just liking the form of human creation. An admiration for it?
Like I admire the form of a well- bred horse.

In anything I don't understand about my own or others psyche, I always think backwards and ask why. Why am I attracted to rocks?
I believe the answer lies in childhood. Being born and living the first years in the desert SW, what did I see the most of? Rocks.
I found the desert and rock formations attractive.
And being a rockhound was a very popular hobby there.
Then my parents moved to forest country and later tropical terrain.
I always wanted to go back to the desert, but never got to.
So maybe the rocks remind me of where my heart lies.

Always digging deeper to find the root of matter.

 

[Crossbreed]

Perhaps it is sexual or perhaps it is just liking the form of human creation. An admiration for it?
Like I admire the form of a well- bred horse.

This.
I like looking at animals at the zoo.
More, I like a wide variety of humans with flattering proportions.
More still (in this context), I slightly prefer women over men.
My wife & I often people-watch together.

I like nudity when there is an appropriate context for it, but most of the time it strikes me as TMI.

 

[velociraptor]

I have only one thing that I really like to collect. Rocks and crystals.

We collect really pretty and unusual small rocks. They're kept in a crystal dish on our end table. It's more my wife's thing than mine, but I do enjoy looking at them.

 

[autism-and-autotune]

You know how all the Aspie quizzes ask if you are fixated on your interests?

Uh, yah.

I was once very fixated on my interests---the music of Bach, whose music I would list out in many lists (by number, or in alphabetical order) and listen to on my iPod constantly. It was a way of predicting order and safety; his total works take about a week to eight days to play, nonstop.