President

Each United States President has become a kind of historical marker, defining a time, both historically and culturally. As an outsider, from England, I have found it deeply compelling to see these powerful leading figures surface again from history, often unexpectedly and juxtaposed against the chaotic mosaic of present day life. In my continuing search to orientate myself within American culture, I have felt when photographing these sudden Presidential appearances, like I am somehow retrieving the memories from an Amnesiac.

My intention with this new series is to eventually have a record photographically of every American president and giving myself a psychic history lesson in the process.

I will post on this blog further encounters as they occur.

Happy New Year!

'Smile' Overland Park, KS

Happy New Year to all!

A toast to all those sudden, amazing, unexpected, strange and wonderful chance meetings and encounters with the world (photographic and otherwise) which inspire us each day. May the new year bring many more. Much love and Cheers!

Simon

'States of Grace' series now posted at 'Get the Picture'.

Recession, Carthage, MO

Back Surgery

Hero

Yellow Brick Road, KS

Part one of my new body of work 'States of Grace' has now been added to GTP's website. Part Two and Three are presently being edited and will appear on this website when they are ready.

http://getthepicture.fr/En/Photographes/Kossoff/Sog.html

Extract from a letter to my friend and photographer Llorenc Rosanes.

“… this work was made between two dates in time and I suppose the subtext to the series is that it explores my experience of being both an outsider and alien going though the long, stressful and intrusive immigration process. It records my observations and experiences of and in the USA during this time period – symbolically and psychologically, rather than literally - my own 'States'. This series also takes into account too (mainly un-intentually) contemporary present day life in America - recession, election, national pride, myth compared to reality and my own fragile ‘American dream’. Which will, I hope, be revealed in more detail in Parts Two and Three, (which I am presently editing). Whist making this series I felt, at times like my own anxiety and hope was an echo of the anxiety and hope of the nation I arrived in.

It is a mosaic piece and purely personal in vision yet universal too, I would hope…”

Llorenc's wonderful work can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/llorensot/

Needed/Wanted