apocalypses

So I kind of made a decision to go back to an idea that I pushed aside last year when things kind of got out of hand. Somehow the word "post-apocalyptic" got attached to my work when I started thinking of a narrative to drive the photographs. I think it's kind of a trendy and clutch word to describe a landscape that isn't right now and that's void of humanity. The photos up in this post are from the southern California fires in October; if my photos were apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic, I think they would look a little more like this:




So, when and what is really happening in my photographs? Well, They exist somewhere in the past and are actually more autobiographical than anything else. The figures (myself) are using narratives about exploration, youth, and violence (to a point) in hope of starting to critique certain traits of masculinity that are present in American culture. I'm thinking that by talking about it this way it'll help me get out of this little rut I'm in.

web show

Humble Arts Foundation has a new group show with my work in it (group show no. 20) Check it out at: humbleartsfoundation.org/groupshow/groupshow.html.

Fellow Columbia student Allison Grant is also in the show and the piece they picked is one of my favorites for sure.

Allison Grant

records

I know I'm influenced by certain music to make work, I guess I didn't realize I'm also influenced by the album art. I think I saw this Who cover when I was a kid and it stuck with me for a while:) The other two covers are from Air's 10,000 Hz legend and the Killer's Hot Fuss respectively. I don't know how much they really affect the music but I think they somehow rubbed off on me that I thought of them every time I hear that album... or I hear that music every time I see places like these.

4x5

Haven't posted in a while, candidacy and the new job have kept me busy. But here's what I've been up to... shooting with my brand new 4x5 camera:) These are the first attempts at what I was doing before, I'm happy with the results, although I have some tweaking to do (the color is off, the shadows are a little dark, there's dust all over them, the focus is out in one). Thanks Sonya for your help with these, you did great;)