What do we examine with our work?

Recently, I have read a number of artist's statements and academic search announcements that talk about using art to examine art, or "lens-based media's ... relationship to representation" and "the nature of the image".   Rather than use the medium to examine itself, I prefer to use photography to examine the world around us. 

James Nachtwey's TED Prize project

James Nachtwey's TED Prize project, a photo-documentary on extremely drug resistant TB, has been posted online here:  www.xdrtb.org

The View from the Bleachers

Kimball High School's baseball field during the North Dallas Tournament, March 1, 2008.  

Bag News Notes

Bag News Notes is a progressive blog that is "dedicated to the political, psychological, and media analysis of news images".  Regardless of your political views, the author's choice of images and comments are worth a few minutes everyday.  Here are links to work by Chicago based photographer Jon Lowenstein and political coverage by Alan Chin.

The Urban Canopy

I have been including in my photographs the canopy that stands over our heads as part of our built environment. The utility poles and wires of older neighborhoods are being joined by microwave antennas and cell phone towers.  The images above are of the athletic field at Dallas Lutheran High School and of the former Whole Foods Market at the intersection of Preston Rd and Forest Ln. in Dallas, TX.

Repurposed Gasoline Stations

I think that part of my interest in repurposed gasoline stations is that they represent both a change and a constant in society.  Not too long ago they were service stations, places that not only sold gasoline, but also repaired your car, sold tires and batteries and even supplied maps for your trip at no charge.  The station owner's name was above the office door, though the big sign on the corner said Gulf or Esso, it was his business.

Today, with a few exceptions, we pump are own gas.  If we interact with someone at a gas station it is to buy drinks, snacks, cigarettes or lottery tickets.  Many of those former service stations provide the same services as before, they just don't sell gas.  Others have become beer stores, bail bondman and hair salons.  They represent another aspect of the disappearing, unfranchised landscape. 

A little while after I started collecting these recycled gas stations, I was introduced to Edward Ruschas's Twenty-Six Gasoline Stations, and Jeff Brouws' homage, Twenty-Six Abandon gasoline Stations.  These repurposed gasoline stations seem to be a logical and relevant extension of those earlier observations.  

 link to more repurposed gasoline stations

Gasoline Station repurposed as Jake's White Trash and Pink Lemonade Coiffure, in Fort Worth, Texas.