03.11.15: Charlatan

I've been thinking a lot lately about art and why it's important. But no matter how deep I dig, I can't seem to find an answer that is satisfying. Even though, I feel like I had an answer at one point in my life--at one point in the distant past. The answer has become lost with the introduction of widespread narcissism and the ability to create 'profiles,' presenting ourselves only in ways we want to be perceived. 

Is art important merely as a process? Is it selfish? Do we create art to refine ourselves? Should we be happy...just creating art?

Or, is there always going to be some element of approval (from others) that drives creation? I would be interested to see just how many artists would continue, if their works had to remain anonymous. 

Does art even need to be seen at all? What would the world be like without access to the art of others? Would we all be forced to create art ourselves--to fulfill some sort of primal necessity? 

Mostly I'm unsure. 

These questions just bounce around in my head all day long. The more I age and begin to define myself as an artist, the more I struggle with what it all really means. Who can be defined as a true artist? And, what is true art?

I hate that I only ask the questions without answers, while the ones that do don't interest me. I guess I can look forward to a life full of uncertainty, but certainly not lacking in intrigue. 

Ilford Delta 400 // Kodak Portra 800 // Canon AE-1

03.03.15: Echo

"Her hard face was real, but also a mask."

03.02.15: Land of Lost Souls

Ektar 100 // Nikon N90s

03.18.15: Trepidation

Shots from the underground--Nikon N90S // Kodak TMAX 400

03.15.15: Prisoners by Design

I've started a new job recently whereby I have much more "normal" hours. I have weekends off for the first time in probably 5 years. Finally, I've been clocking in some much needed alone time. And when I say alone, I mean my camera & I. Unlike my usual routine of scouting locations to shoot, I've just been meandering around the city in quest of cool, urban landscapes. One of my favorite Atlanta landmarks is the old milk factory on Memorial. It has collected some of the coolest graffiti in town. Since shutdown in 2004, the ol' dairy has served as a sort of organic art gallery. It seems I'm alone in the admiration of these live, urban exhibits like this, the firehouse on Edgewood, or the masonry on Moreland. Soon it, like the "Krog Market," will be developed into yet another "mixed-use complex." I really have a love/hate relationship with gentrifying efforts like these. But, more than anything I dislike how street art translates to "moldering eyesores" for some city folk. In my mind, nothing defines cities as much as their prominent creative class. Wander out into the Georgia suburbs & you won't see free art on display around you. It's unlikely you'll see much art [of any medium] at all. I've fallen in love with graffiti culture; I've fallen in love with the idea of creating your own environment. We are just prisoners of our own design. Why live in a grey washed world?

Read more about the Memorial Dr. development plans here. 

Nikon N90S // Fuji Pro-H 400