"My favorite thing is to go where I've never been"

Diane Arbus elegantly captures the ethos of exploration and the allure of the unknown with her statement: "My favorite thing is to go where I've never been". These words offer a profound glimpse into the spirit of curiosity that defines both the artistic journey and the human experience as a whole. There is an inherent magnetism to the unfamiliar, a gravitational pull toward places, ideas, and perspectives that challenge what we already know. Arbus, known for her fearless photographic explorations of the marginalized, was not merely discussing physical travel, but perhaps more importantly, the voyage into uncharted emotional and intellectual realms.

To seek out what is unfamiliar requires vulnerability. Stepping beyond the boundaries of comfort means opening oneself to uncertainty, risk, and transformation. Arbus’s sentiment honors the courage found in curiosity, the willingness to be changed by what we encounter. Whether it is a literal destination, a new line of work, a relationship, or a fresh vantage point on a familiar subject, venturing into the unknown is a form of growth. It is an antidote to stagnation, routine, and complacency.

Moreover, the hunger for new experiences reflects an openness to the vast complexity of the world and the myriad lives within it. There is empathy in choosing to see beyond one’s own narrow circumstances, in seeking to walk paths that diverge from our own. For artists like Arbus, such forays not only provided inspiration but also produced work that revealed overlooked or hidden aspects of society.

Ultimately, there is a romance in perpetual discovery, a kind of faith that the unexplored holds beauty, truth, or meaning worth uncovering. Embracing the unfamiliar, as Arbus suggests, is not about escapism, but about deep engagement with life’s infinite possibilities. Each step into the new expands the boundaries of who we are, ensuring that our favorite places are always just ahead, waiting to be revealed by our curiosity.