EAST 2019

For my second studio tour, I decided to add to my PhotoArtifacts by photographing recently acquired and old family heirlooms. In addition I added some new images from New Orleans. As always, I had BPP photobooks available to browse and buy.

The first weekend weather was beautiful and the crowds were great. Unfortunately I had to cancel the second weekend of EAST due to a death in the family.

Thanks to everyone who came out and bought a print or book.

Artifacts

These photographs are traces of memories. A continuation of my Old Flames series, I focused my camera on treasured family heirlooms, outdated or broken technology, and mundane objects that carry the latent memories of people or times passed.

By presenting these objects out of scale, including their dust and scars, I am reducing them to their basic form and texture. They exist beyond their past anthropologic uses to hint at the remaining character of a previous owner or experience.

I started photographing these objects because I had an emotional attachments but no practical need to keep these items. I inherited many of them. If my children inherit them, they will have no attachment to them. And will just see them as junk. So before the Swedish death cleanse, I chose to try to capture and focus on the remaining memories of each object.

IPhone 5 (circa 2012)

This phone cost $649 and broke while I was on vacation. I was riding a bicycle to the beach and since I had no pockets, put it in the basket. I hit a bump in the sidewalk, and it popped out and shattered.

Atari 2600 Joystick (circa 1982)

Game Converter (circa 1983)

This Radio Shack switch box converter connected my Atari 2600 to the television with screws

Wedding Band (circa 1946)

Frank’s wedding band as inscribed by his wife Olga to commemorate their wedding on November 17, 1946.