This might be a repeat or conglomeration of previous blog posts but these are some of the thoughts that I have had for working on my grad project.
I have had to re-evaluate how I planned on approaching a grad project this year. Just weeks before the start of classes an unexpected opportunity was offered to me that I could not pass up. I was forced to think about a common thread that binds my practice, and what factors have been the driving force for me over the past two years studying photography at Emily Carr. I wanted to be aware of how my personal objectives as an artist and photographer would manifest themselves through the lens in unfamiliar territory.
Living in southern California while I work on this project situates me as an observer rather than an occupant in the locations and spaces that I want to document. It is an unfamiliar position for me to be in, and far different than the way I have approached my work in the past. My relationship and familiarity to the places that I photograph give me the opportunity to tell much more of a personal story. Familiarity has afforded me the opportunity to approach my practice with a certain sense of comfort. Now I can look at how my story relates to this place and not how it exists within.
In the past my work has exhibited an interest the urban landscape and popular culture. The theme of transitional space has always been a common thread throughout my exploration of these themes. The images speak about a lack of ownership and individuality in a landscape that seeks to mimic itself. Within the images I ask the question of how my personal identity relates to these spaces. I am interested in how people, myself included, interact within this culture while trying to maintain a sense of individuality.
The objects and arrangements found within these spaces, and locations can speak volumes about the occupants and how they have chosen to approach this dilemma. I have always been interested in letting objects speak for the people that do not have the ability or desire to speak for themselves. Traditionally my images have maintained an absence of the human figure within the frame, giving the spaces and objects the opportunity to tell the story.
Consumer culture dominates this part of the country, and this has far reaching effects into all social classes. Although just a few miles away from the multi million dollar homes and materialism that dominates the landscape, this part of the southern Orange County holds on to these ideals by a thread. It resonates as being the place of last or lost hope in an attempt to live the American dream.
Using ideas of consumerism, a lack of ownership, and transitional space as a frame work I have begun to collect images looking at the landscape through these parameters. In doing so I immediately noticed that there are a strangely high number of Motels in the city where I am living. The Motels are littered through out the city in very odd locations. There are the obvious ones off the main roads but they are also spread out through residential streets. Its strange to see the tightly packed houses with a motel squeezed in, trying to blend into the community. They are all unique; no two seem to be alike. It is obvious that time has not been kind to many of them, and signs of neglect dominate their appearance.
As these neglected motels have become more prominent it has had wide reaching effects throughout the community. Similar signs of neglect can be seen throughout residential neighborhoods and in local businesses. I can't help but notice the desperation in this place. The day laborer's waiting to be picked up in the morning in hopes of having a full days work juxtaposed against the patriotism of the soldiers that are stationed at the army base on the southern edge of Orange County. People cling to this patriotism for a country that has been so unkind to them. This town is alive with desperation. It gives the city a certain rhythm that is uncomfortable, but at the same time irresistible.
For the body of work I plan on producing this year I will photograph as many of these locations as possible. There is a unique relationship between state, religion, and patriotism that is very visible. It is important for me to explore all of these details in compiling a survey the area and its culture.
I'm shooting based on instinct, realizing that distance is a key component for me, here, now. I feel like an outsider. I can ask myself how my story relates to theirs, and what that collaboration will create in my images. I feel as though the American dream is collapsing in on itself here. People are following this dream with blind faith not realizing that this ideal that is keeping them at a distance from it.
