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WINTER
GARDEN
VISCERAL
LANDSCAPES
BOTANOMY
TRAVEL
MILO
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These
images were made from the library of the 1870’s schoolhouse where I
have lived for almost 20 years.
Worn dictionaries and encyclopedias, history, math and science
books, primers and sets of classic literature line the shelves.
I started making this series at a time when my life was too busy,
my calendar
bulging with commitments which left little time for art or reflection.
I began by making precarious piles of the books, stepping back with my
camera on a tripod and pitching a book at the pile to record the moment
of collapse.
I thought it would be an accurate illustration of my state of
mind.
But the piles didn’t fall down.
I am a good builder, with years of experience renovation old
buildings and five years spent as a cabinetmaker.
Looking at the proof sheets, I was struck by the message that a
life/pile of books out of balance has its own beauty and strength.
I decided to make the series about the grace of imperfection.
Later I saw that these pictures could also be seen as a monument to
learning, each page and volume housing the accumulated the experiences
and knowledge of generations.
I made prints to send to all my favorite teachers throughout my
school years.
The Library Series is
scheduled to come out as a monograph in late 2004, with essays by
artist/critic Buzz Spector and cultural writer Luc Sante.
The images are sepia toned, gelatin silver prints with a hand rubbed
archival wax over the surface.
They come in an uneditioned size on 8x10” paper, and editioned
prints in 11x14” and 16x20”.
 
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