Saturday, October 20, 2007
The Draft
On wed I was in Hollywood to see The Draft play at the Knitting Factory. Its pretty much the same line up as Hot Water Music minus one of the members. It was a great show. Before the show we ate some great Vietnamese food at a hole in the was restaraunt on sunset. Today we are heading back to LA to see a few galleries and see Lucero play.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
mash sf
Last night was the mash sf premier in LA. There was a race before the premeir with the finish line being the theater at Hollywood and Vine. It was down a super steep winding road with no street lights on it. It was pretty crazy. here are a few pics from the night
Friday, October 12, 2007
Beirut
I saw Beirut last night at the Avalon theater on the corner of Hollywood and Vine in LA. It was the most overwhelming show I have ever been too. If you ever get the chance to see this band play you need to go. It was absolutly spectacular.
http://www.beirutband.com/
Tomorrow there is a fixed gear race to the premier of http://www.mashsf.com/ . I am fully prepared to get droped. People who ride fixies in LA are crazy. So fast.
http://www.beirutband.com/
Tomorrow there is a fixed gear race to the premier of http://www.mashsf.com/ . I am fully prepared to get droped. People who ride fixies in LA are crazy. So fast.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Grad Project
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.
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.
Monday, October 1, 2007
sleep is for the weak
It seems like as the week roles on I get progressivly more pre occupied with what southern California has to offer, and I am not able to update this blog as much as I would like. So i hope I don't leave any thing out.
On Wednessdays my friend and I have begun a routine of hitting the BMX night at the local skatepark as a prelude to beers and live music. Both of us used to ride as much as we could growing up, as the years have gone by it seems like I ride my bike less and less. We joke that its our old man BMX night, because we ride for about 10 minutes and then just hang out untill they shut off the lights.
After the park we stoped by the Detroit bar. They have great sound there, and all the music that I have seen there sounds incredible. I think just by virtue of being in southern California the talent level in some of these bands is incredible. This week was no exception.
The next morning I was up early for a ride with the photo editor at the magazine, which was a huge thrill since I have been reading the magazine since I started riding in the mid 90s, and he was one of the founders of the magazine 14 years ago. As it turns out he assumed that I had a car, which was going to be important since we were shuttling the trail that day. Our only option was for me to drive the Powder magazine car. This is a mid 90's police car with "powder" spraypainted on the sides, skis screwed into the hood in an X shape, and stickers covering every square inch in the most charmingly tacky way. This car is definatly a sight. Polariods are pinned to the roof as documentaiotn of all the people who have travelled in the car, along with notes written on the doors, dashboard and anywhere there is free space on the interior. The car has been an ongoing story for the magazine over the last three years, it is on the last page of every issue and chronicles its cross country travels during every ski season. It drove just like how I though a cop car should drive... fast!
The trail was in the Ortega mountais in Orange County. The road leading up to the trail head was only wide enough for one car to drive up. The landscape was littered with huge bolders that from a distance looked liked giant tombstones along the mountain range. It was stunning, those are the moments that make me remember why I ride a bike.
As soon as we droped in I knew it was going to be a fast pace. Dave had about 35 pounds of camera gear on his back and he was absolutly flying down the trail. About half way down we stopped to shoot a few photos, It was a great expirience to see how a true industry proffesional opperates when he is working with a rider, me in this case. I was amazing when I saw the photos today. Everything was on piont, the composition, the light, it all worked. I hope there is more hand on expirience like that during the time I'm here.
On Wednessdays my friend and I have begun a routine of hitting the BMX night at the local skatepark as a prelude to beers and live music. Both of us used to ride as much as we could growing up, as the years have gone by it seems like I ride my bike less and less. We joke that its our old man BMX night, because we ride for about 10 minutes and then just hang out untill they shut off the lights.
After the park we stoped by the Detroit bar. They have great sound there, and all the music that I have seen there sounds incredible. I think just by virtue of being in southern California the talent level in some of these bands is incredible. This week was no exception.
The next morning I was up early for a ride with the photo editor at the magazine, which was a huge thrill since I have been reading the magazine since I started riding in the mid 90s, and he was one of the founders of the magazine 14 years ago. As it turns out he assumed that I had a car, which was going to be important since we were shuttling the trail that day. Our only option was for me to drive the Powder magazine car. This is a mid 90's police car with "powder" spraypainted on the sides, skis screwed into the hood in an X shape, and stickers covering every square inch in the most charmingly tacky way. This car is definatly a sight. Polariods are pinned to the roof as documentaiotn of all the people who have travelled in the car, along with notes written on the doors, dashboard and anywhere there is free space on the interior. The car has been an ongoing story for the magazine over the last three years, it is on the last page of every issue and chronicles its cross country travels during every ski season. It drove just like how I though a cop car should drive... fast!
The trail was in the Ortega mountais in Orange County. The road leading up to the trail head was only wide enough for one car to drive up. The landscape was littered with huge bolders that from a distance looked liked giant tombstones along the mountain range. It was stunning, those are the moments that make me remember why I ride a bike.
As soon as we droped in I knew it was going to be a fast pace. Dave had about 35 pounds of camera gear on his back and he was absolutly flying down the trail. About half way down we stopped to shoot a few photos, It was a great expirience to see how a true industry proffesional opperates when he is working with a rider, me in this case. I was amazing when I saw the photos today. Everything was on piont, the composition, the light, it all worked. I hope there is more hand on expirience like that during the time I'm here.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Extermination
Today I found a trailer park, with an on site motel, compleatly abandoned. All the trailers were removed. Street signs, roads, and the landscape were still intact. However every single lot was just a plot of dirt with a utility hook up. It looked like a natural distaster had occuered within the bounderies of this park. Its was amazing.
The Motel had a full sized swimming pool in the front compleatly filled with dirt to keep out the skateboarders. All the rooms were fully accessable. The place was destoryed. I will be back photographing there for quite some time I think.
The Motel had a full sized swimming pool in the front compleatly filled with dirt to keep out the skateboarders. All the rooms were fully accessable. The place was destoryed. I will be back photographing there for quite some time I think.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Set your alarm
Light is a precious comodity for me right now. Getting up early to photograph in the early morning light, and rushing out of work to catch the last bit of the sun drives my routine. There are stories in this place.
In my class tonight, a classmate mentioned Robert Frank's series, "The Americans", in reference to me feeling as though I am an outsider documenting unfamilar territory.
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 edge of San Clemente. This town is alive with desperation. It gives the city a certian rythm that is uncomfortable, but at the same time irresistible. I am insprired.
I have the desire to photograph now more than I have in a number of years; since before I came to ECIAD. As strange as it sounds ECIAD has slowly killed my desire to be creative. The uncontrolable urge to make images right now is the same feeling I had before I came to art school. It is raw, and uncomprimised. I'm shooting based on instinct, not based on what I feel is required. Distance is a key component for me, here, now. I feel like an outsider. I can ask myself how my story relates to thiers, and what that colabertion will create in my images. I feel as though the American dream is colapsing in on itself here.
This image was taken with my first camera a pentax K 1000. I made a polariod of it a few years later. It still resonates with me, its raw, I wanted to look at it, so I took a picture.
In my class tonight, a classmate mentioned Robert Frank's series, "The Americans", in reference to me feeling as though I am an outsider documenting unfamilar territory.
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 edge of San Clemente. This town is alive with desperation. It gives the city a certian rythm that is uncomfortable, but at the same time irresistible. I am insprired.
I have the desire to photograph now more than I have in a number of years; since before I came to ECIAD. As strange as it sounds ECIAD has slowly killed my desire to be creative. The uncontrolable urge to make images right now is the same feeling I had before I came to art school. It is raw, and uncomprimised. I'm shooting based on instinct, not based on what I feel is required. Distance is a key component for me, here, now. I feel like an outsider. I can ask myself how my story relates to thiers, and what that colabertion will create in my images. I feel as though the American dream is colapsing in on itself here.
This image was taken with my first camera a pentax K 1000. I made a polariod of it a few years later. It still resonates with me, its raw, I wanted to look at it, so I took a picture.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Rain
I was told when I moved here that it hasn't rained in Orange County in months. Today it was like Vancouver rain. It was a good excuss to work in the garage on our bikes. I love those lazy days.
It cleared up late in the day, and the evening light was amazing. I took lots of photos at a spot I photographed earlier in the week. It was the abandoned motel I mentioned in a previous post. The trash had been removed from the parking lot in front of the building but a few of the rooms had the boards on the windows taken off and the doors kicked in. I managed to get some photographs of one of the rooms compleatly trashed. The pink insulation had been pulled fromt the walls and the ceilings. Broken furniture was laying in a mixture of shattered glass and garbage. It was great. I think I have some really great images. I can't wait to see them.
I was looking at Jon Hucks website today. Check it out at http://www.jonhuck.com/
It cleared up late in the day, and the evening light was amazing. I took lots of photos at a spot I photographed earlier in the week. It was the abandoned motel I mentioned in a previous post. The trash had been removed from the parking lot in front of the building but a few of the rooms had the boards on the windows taken off and the doors kicked in. I managed to get some photographs of one of the rooms compleatly trashed. The pink insulation had been pulled fromt the walls and the ceilings. Broken furniture was laying in a mixture of shattered glass and garbage. It was great. I think I have some really great images. I can't wait to see them.
I was looking at Jon Hucks website today. Check it out at http://www.jonhuck.com/
Friday, September 21, 2007
L.A.
Last night I went into LA to see a show with a friend who is working out here in San Cleente. I met him in Calgary during my time attending ACAD. We had a place to crash in downtown LA and were planning on having a late night and then driving back into Orange County for work in the morining.
We started off by dropping our stuff downtown and heading to a grab somthing to eat. He knew of a vietnamese place on Sunset Blvd that he had been to before that was really amazing. The show was at a club on Hollywood Blvd right in the middle of all the tourist spots. It was pretty surreal. I am not into, nor do I really care about trying to be a tourist in a new place. I find it much more exciting to try and expirience a city like a local would.
The show was amazing, it was a Hardcore band called Planes Mistaken For Stars. They put on a great show. We winded up finding our way to a local bar in Echo Park. It was a really cool comunity, far different from what I expected before we headed down there. There are so many different pockets of the city in LA, it seems like you can just wander in to the best or worst part of the city without even knowing it. The bar was probly one of the dirtiest places I have ever been too. Half the tiles on the floor were missing, and there were broken mirrors on the walls. It was packed. There was a great vibe and really good music. The night definatly gave me a different impresion of LA.
I have shot more film in the first week here than I have in the last 6 months. The one frustrating thing here is that it is so far to get anywhere. It seems like living in Orange County would be the center of everthing. Where I live is the middle of nowhere on a bike. According to the photo editor at the mag its best for me to bank up my film and either ship it to a lab in LA or try and squeeze it in with the magazines stuff. it may be a while before there is an image post.
We started off by dropping our stuff downtown and heading to a grab somthing to eat. He knew of a vietnamese place on Sunset Blvd that he had been to before that was really amazing. The show was at a club on Hollywood Blvd right in the middle of all the tourist spots. It was pretty surreal. I am not into, nor do I really care about trying to be a tourist in a new place. I find it much more exciting to try and expirience a city like a local would.
The show was amazing, it was a Hardcore band called Planes Mistaken For Stars. They put on a great show. We winded up finding our way to a local bar in Echo Park. It was a really cool comunity, far different from what I expected before we headed down there. There are so many different pockets of the city in LA, it seems like you can just wander in to the best or worst part of the city without even knowing it. The bar was probly one of the dirtiest places I have ever been too. Half the tiles on the floor were missing, and there were broken mirrors on the walls. It was packed. There was a great vibe and really good music. The night definatly gave me a different impresion of LA.
I have shot more film in the first week here than I have in the last 6 months. The one frustrating thing here is that it is so far to get anywhere. It seems like living in Orange County would be the center of everthing. Where I live is the middle of nowhere on a bike. According to the photo editor at the mag its best for me to bank up my film and either ship it to a lab in LA or try and squeeze it in with the magazines stuff. it may be a while before there is an image post.
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