Transparent.

Whether physical or conceptual, material that allows one to see through itself is insignificant for the moment. But time to elongate the view may reveal distortion, or clarity, or longing.

Philip Johnson’s Glass House was designed to reveal the clarity of its natural surroundings. But unbeknownst to him would be the stark contrast of the change of view as the transition of light from outside during the day to night time, when the only light sources were from the inside of the house. He would no longer see the rolling pastures outside. The reflection of the dark background would reveal his own profile. He wasn’t interested in seeing that much of himself. It wasn’t until his lighting designer installed lights to reveal the architecture and exterior that he was able to see beyond himself to his surroundings.

Transparent material requires adjacent attributes (such as light) in order to accomplish its purpose. The same is true for human transparency. It’s living out its best purpose when light directs the reflection toward the thing it’s intended to reveal.