I remember spending New Year's Eve in 2010 at the Portland Museum, when I was presented with an amazing post-it note from somebody's Grammy. It had me pondering about Facebook and friendship for a long time afterwards. I was messaging a great buddy of mine who is shooting a movie in Jakarta through Facebook's instant messenger. As I was writing a letter in pencil to a friend of mine who had been sent to Afghanistan, my thoughts went to the two different friendships that I held so dear. Despite being from very different areas of my life, both people were incredibly important to me. As I scrolled through the list of my friends on Facebook, it struck me how diverse they were and from all walks of life. It was a bizarre thought that here I was alone at home on New Year's Eve while still being able to communicate with my pals far and wide. Yet in today's interconnected world, even online conversations can provide incredible opportunities for meaningful interactions, connections, and exchanges of ideas. Despite the physical distance, the power of technology allows us to connect with people from all walks of life, across different cultures, and even across generations. Through online platforms, we can engage in deep conversations, share our perspectives, and learn from each other's experiences. It's a privilege to have the ability to connect with others and engage in meaningful conversations, regardless of geographical boundaries. Online conversations can be a powerful tool for fostering empathy, understanding, and mutual respect. They can also provide us with unique perspectives and insights that we might not have otherwise encountered in our offline lives. The digital world offers us a vast array of opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with others in profound ways. However, it's important to approach online conversations with mindfulness and critical thinking, as not all interactions may be meaningful or constructive. It's essential to engage in respectful and thoughtful conversations, considering diverse viewpoints and being open to different opinions. In a world where physical distance can sometimes separate us, online conversations can bridge those gaps and create meaningful connections that transcend borders and generations. It's a privilege to be able to engage in such conversations and learn from the diverse experiences and perspectives of others.
I was also reflecting on the past of photography, particularly its role in portraiture and how it has been used to document America's road trips. I was reflecting deeply on Robert Frank's renowned historical tome, The Americans. During the 1950s Civil Rights Movement, he devoted a year of his life to journeying around the country to capture images depicting what everyday American life truly looked like. I'm one of those people who tend to act before thinking, which is why I decided to embark on a project to take pictures of all 626 of my Facebook friends in their homes around the globe. I had only fifty dollars in the bank, yet I still decided to pursue art despite the fact that it was a market which had collapsed. To do this, I worked three-day jobs. I did my research to work out the locations of everyone, and I entered the information into a graph with green representing Maine, yellow for New York, orange for Massachusetts and red for Missouri (or maybe it was California). My making action based on meaningful realizations has been a powerful way to make a positive impact in the world. Initiating a grant proposal, starting a fundraiser, and reaching out to friends were all proactive steps of mine towards creating positive change. Remember to approach your initiatives with perseverance, resilience, and an open mind to learn and adapt along the way. By taking action based on your convictions, you are contributing to the positive change you wish to see in the world. Your efforts, no matter how big or small, can have a ripple effect and inspire others to join in creating a better future. Keep pushing forward and advocating for what you believe in, and may your efforts bear fruit in making a positive impact in your community and beyond.
Samantha Appleton was the first one to answer my email; she used to date someone very dear to me approximately 15 years ago and we have managed to maintain a connection since then. She is not only a photographer but has been appointed to serve as one of the four photographers for President Obama at the White House. In response, she expressed her admiration for my project and offered to purchase a print from me when I visited DC. Additionally, she proposed that I stay with her and accompany her on a tour of the West Wing. I booked my ticket with enough lead time to obtain Secret Service clearance and proceeded to Washington DC, concluding the trade I had made. As I was making my way to the airport, she was texting me anxiously because it was the day that the government might shut down and she wasn't sure if she still had a job by the time I arrived in DC. Fortunately, her job remained secure and I got to experience an incredible tour of the West Wing. I was taken on a tour of DC by this person, who I had only just met, and they introduced me to their friends. It was an incredible experience; it was then that I went from knowing them peripherally to becoming a close friend of theirs as well as a key supporter of the project. Beginning this project with such immense generosity and benevolence at the White House was an extraordinary way to start. This is the portrait photograph of Samantha that I took while I was in her presence.
I have had the opportunity to visit almost 20 states by taking various forms of public transportation such as train, car commuter rail, subway, bus and trolley. In this picture, I am seen leaping into a white truck which looks like an ordinary delivery vehicle. However, a friend of mine has converted it into a roaming letterpress studio and is going around the country to provide workshops with people out of the delivery truck. The purpose of these workshops are to teach folks traditional press techniques. We drove from Providence to Connecticut, hopped on a ferry to Long Island, and then cruised down it together towards Brooklyn. At this destination, she held another workshop. As a result, I decided to join her for the journey. I have had the pleasure of viewing some fine roosters and hens, as well as being taken on guided excursions around remarkable gardens in both rural and urban areas. I had the amazing opportunity to take photos of my friends Juan and Kirsten the day after bees arrived at their urban beautification project in St. Louis, known as the Bruin I go projects. It was an incredible experience to witness and still keep track of what they are doing with their bee sanctuary. I encountered a Bluebird hip-hop artist who had ingeniously converted a tiny RV into a portable performance venue. This allowed him to tour around the country without relying on any particular location; he could simply open up the windows and doors of his RV and put on a show anywhere and anytime he wanted.
I had the pleasure of visiting Houston to capture a friend of mine, Amy, in a photoshoot. We hadn't met in person before; she's an interior designer and art consultant who has purchased my artwork from a gallery in New York for her clients based in Washington D.C. I was already in Austin for South by Southwest when I made the trip. I emailed her to inquire if I could take some photographs of her, feeling a bit awkward. It was even more uncomfortable when I mentioned that my budget for the trip was only around $100 and requested if I could stay with her. To my surprise, she kindly said yes and we began planning an itinerary for the upcoming weekend in the following weeks. When I arrived, she was living with her sister in a cramped two-bedroom apartment. She was kind enough to give me her bedroom while she slept in her sibling's room. My friends amazed me by giving me the keys to their apartment, while they were on their way to a party. They said, "Look, we got you beer and wine - the food's already stocked up. Make yourself at home and we'll see you in the morning!" The following day, I was taken out to lunch by her at an art dealer's residence and then we went to the rodeo with her extended family. It was an amazing Texas experience! I was served some delicious meals and I learned the etiquette while dining. This project initially began as a very personal endeavor for me, but I have since come to recognize it as more of a collaborative effort. My friends and I have been invited into numerous homes and communities, giving us the opportunity to gain further insight. Every time I present this project or engage in discussion about it with an audience, it evolves in a way that is also partly shaped by their reactions.so partly shaped by their reactions.
I had never before heard someone read a caption aloud until I visited the Art Institute of Chicago. An elderly man was standing in front of a photograph taken by Lewis Hine, depicting factory workers. He was telling his grandson about the importance of labor laws and particularly those concerning child labor and unions. He expressed gratitude that his son did not have to work in a factory but could instead attend school. His was such a beautiful realization! It's easy to get caught up in focusing solely on the end result or the destination, but every experience, sight, and moment along the way contributes to the richness and depth of our lives. The journey itself holds its own significance and value. Each experience we encounter, whether it's traveling to new places, meeting new people, or trying new things, shapes us in unique ways. The memories we create, the lessons we learn, and the stories we tell become a part of our personal narrative, adding depth and meaning to our lives. Similarly, documenting our experiences through blog posts or other means can be a way to capture and share those moments with others, as well as to reflect on our own growth and transformation. The process of expressing our thoughts and emotions, and sharing our perspectives, can be just as important as the final outcome. Life is not just about reaching the destination or achieving a specific goal. It's about the journey, the process, and the moments we encounter along the way. Embracing the value of each experience, big or small, and recognizing the significance of the journey itself can bring a newfound appreciation for life's wonders and enrich our lives in profound ways. So keep cherishing the experiences you encounter, the sights you see, and the stories you share, for they all contribute to the beautiful tapestry of your life's story.
My little sister was lucky enough to have Scott Toni as her mentor when she worked in a restaurant in Boston. I, too, had the good fortune of being in New Orleans for Jazz Fest taking pictures. Jazz Fest taking pictures. I sent an email to my friends inquiring if there were any community events going on, and if so, I told them that I would attempt to plan my travel around the activities taking place in their town. Scott replied that while this wasn't necessarily a pleasant occasion, it marked the one-year anniversary of his niece's passing. He suggested that if I was interested, I should join him at a domestic violence bike-a-thon being held in her memory. I had originally planned to do something else, but the scheduling didn't work out. But while I was sitting there with her cooking me lunch, she told me a chilling story of one of those heart-wrenching murder suicides you see in the news; where his niece was shot by her father before he then killed himself. Fortunately, his sister Jodie survived against all odds. While he was narrating the story to me, I learned about how the people in the area had been so supportive of his family during a difficult period. They cooked meals for them and made sure their oil tanks were filled up, providing comfort for them. He moved back to Weston in order to assist his sister as she worked through physical therapy and exercise. When she returned from her session that day, I realized it was essential to include her in the photograph too.
I have found that it is a good idea to entrust not only small children with my expensive camera, but also to believe that this concept will be successful; that visiting many residences could prove to be beneficial. I'm learning to be open to saying yes to virtually anything; whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee with someone new, having dinner with an old friend, or even attending a wild event that somebody is trying to get me to go along for. I have decided to no longer use being too tired or wanting a night at home alone as an excuse to avoid engaging in real life with friends and potential new friends. I recognize that by doing this, I am missing out on the chance of hearing amazing stories or attending events that could be life-changing. I never imagined that I would be on the stairs of the Philadelphia Art Museum doing the electric slide in the rain with hundreds of strangers - a scene that seemed impossible to me for a million years. This project has generated more questions than I can answer, but some of the things I've been considering are: what is a true friendship? What do we mean to each other? How have our online connections modified our real-world relationships and vice versa? I'm hoping that everyone will come to the same conclusion I have regarding these topics; there may not be a definitive answer, but understanding the issue is important nonetheless. Thank you anyway for answering my query only you could.
See also: https://mygodsentangels.com/