Study 25: The Ferry Docking forms part of my Life-world Series, a project that began as an exploration within my Ph.D. dissertation. This series seeks to highlight the Lebenswelt—the immediate and lived world—by transforming everyday experiences into subjects of quiet contemplation. Each film in the series, including Study 25, is an invitation to pause, observe, and engage with the unnoticed aspects of routine life that typically pass by without reflection.
The Act of Docking as an Exploration of the Everyday
In this study, the simple yet intricate act of a Washington State ferry docking at the Vashon Island terminal becomes the focal point. This scene, unhurried and captured through an uninterrupted take, invites the viewer into a meditative experience that slows down the perception of time. By observing the gradual alignment of the ferry, the rhythmic movement of workers, and the structured entry of vehicles, the film transforms what could be seen as a purely functional process into an introspective encounter.
The Visual Composition and the Art of Observation
Study 25 opens with a static, wide shot that holds the viewer’s attention on the ferry’s approach. This framing choice mirrors the visual strategies I used in earlier studies, such as Study One: The Street, where the movement of pedestrians and vehicles highlighted the flow of urban life. Here, the stillness of the camera serves to amplify the unfolding movement, shifting the act of docking from the background noise of daily life into a focal event worthy of deeper attention.
The use of a continuous take aligns with the intention to depict life as it is perceived in real-time, fostering a patient engagement that runs counter to the rapid, distracted nature of modern viewing. This method aligns with my approach in Study Six: Return Home, where the interplay of moving and stationary elements prompted reflection on the notion of transit and the spaces between destinations.
Philosophical Reflections: Subtitles as a Layered Narrative
One distinctive feature of Study 25 is the integration of on-screen subtitles, which serve as philosophical guideposts. These lines, such as “Time pauses, holding this interval between arrival and departure, where life reveals its subtler truths,” direct the viewer’s attention not just to the visual scene but to its deeper implications. This technique, also employed in Study Five: 雨 (Rain), acts as an invitation to engage with the scene in a way that questions the habitual, automatic perception of routine.
These reflections push the viewer to see the docking not as a mere transition but as a liminal space—a moment suspended between departure and arrival, where the mundane becomes a canvas for introspection. The subtleties of movement, the sound of engines, the orchestrated gestures of the dock workers—all become points of access to a meditative experience of reality that encourages questioning and re-evaluating one’s own engagement with daily life.
The Interplay of Sound and Silence
The sound design of Study 25 supports the film’s reflective nature. The ambient sounds of the ferry’s hum, the soft lapping of water, and the occasional call of seagulls create an auditory backdrop that enhances the viewer’s sense of immersion. This attention to sound draws on techniques from Study Three: Floating Notes, where layered audio interjected with visual stillness conveyed the complex relationship between perception and environment. Here, the soundscape blends seamlessly with the visuals, contributing to an embodied experience of the scene.
Routine as a Mirror of Human Existence
The methodical boarding of vehicles onto the ferry and the coordinated work of dock staff symbolize the predictable yet dynamic nature of human routines. In capturing this, Study 25 continues the thematic exploration seen in Study Eight: Intercity, which juxtaposed urban life in different cities to evoke a shared human experience. However, Study 25 narrows the focus to a single, localized routine, emphasizing how even the most familiar actions hold potential for new meaning when viewed with intention.
Subtitles like “Each arrival births a departure, a cycle endless in its simplicity” underscore this point, illustrating how routine can be both grounding and transformative. The ferry’s loading and preparation for its next journey become metaphors for the cyclical nature of life, where each moment of completion folds seamlessly into the anticipation of the next.
Concluding Thoughts: The Power of Cinematic Attention
With Study 25, the Life-world Series reiterates its commitment to transforming the mundane into a subject of meditative observation. The film invites viewers to slow down and look anew at the ordinary, presenting it as a space filled with potential for deeper understanding. By blending uninterrupted visual observation with reflective text, Study 25 underscores the idea that reality, when experienced with heightened awareness, can challenge the automatic acceptance of everyday life and its underlying narratives.
This study continues the series’ goal of using the medium of film to provoke a second glance at the world, revealing that what is perceived as mundane holds the profound, and that the true art of living involves recognizing these moments and engaging with them meaningfully.