My on-going project about Overland Park, KS has been my photographic playground since I moved here a few years ago and it has been the source of great inspiration and also personal insight. Many of the photographs I have made here have found their way into several sub-projects and it was also the catalysis for my recently completed Remains to be Seen series. The "Over-Land Park" has become, for me, both a window and a mirror, where I have discovered as much about America as I have about myself and my photographic vision. It is where both place and self are slowly becoming one. The objective gravity of my original and sober statement about this city is dissolving. This is something which leaves me enlightened and confused equally, every time I leave my home (or not) to photograph it.
Original Artists Statement:
Overland Park has been consistently ranked in the top 10 best cities to live in the United States, by CNN/Money magazine. Additionally, the city was ranked one of the ‘best places to raise your kids’ and also ranked 3rd for ‘America’s 10 best places to grow up’. As a photographer this news comes as an inspiration and something of a shock to me and I have decided to explore what it is that gives Overland Park this status.
Here's a link to the recent feature Urbanautica published about this series:
Overland Park.. so many "top 10's" ...who knew. Now you have a topic to explore and mine exhaustively! Looking forward to it.
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ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, Simon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments here. Glad to hear many of your top tens are in it Jan. It's interesting the way these long term projects change shape and develop over time. Even the way it's grown into it's title is exciting for me. Looking at the entire series I do see 'holes' in it and I'd like to begin making some portraits.. It's something it needs, I think.
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