High Lonesome
This work is an attempt at historical mash-up, bringing together romantic imagery of cowboys and zeppelins. Both subjects are iconic, yet their reputations have been spoiled by facts, as history overtakes myth. The Hindenburg, which
began its life as the fountainhead of people’s creative and entrepreneurial vision, ended its life under the dark shroud of Nazi propaganda and a fiery death. As an icon of romantic symbolism it has been spoiled, much like the history of the American West—you can’t watch The Searchers without being aware of the racism. The cornerstone of this work is the “Library” image; the shelf containing WWII nonfiction bleeds into the shelf containing Western history, while the entire rack is peppered with fiction.
Startled Birds
Matthew Porter presents twelve photographs, clustered together on one wall. While the subject matter varies, some of these images portray not so much decisive moments, but a preceding causality or its result. Like a film still from a
poster, they may not be crucial to the plot but provide vivid and unforgettable iconography.
