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Sunday, July 27, 2008
Thematic Photographic 8: "Monochrome" v.5.0
Today's sub-theme I suppose is "Underdogs". I suppose it's hard to consider Big Steel as an "underdog" in the usual sense, but you could make the case. The other shots ... well, any independent business in today's American economic climate of monolithic corporations, franchised for your protection has to be considered an underdog. The little guy that built this country into what it is is being slowly squeezed out in virtually every industry you can name. But a few survive, just to let us all know that it's still possible.From my photos, you'd think Oswego, NY was home of the original sweet tooth. But visit there and you'll see something entirely different. This is prototypical North Country New York. Not the city with all of its urbanity -- and everything that come with that. Just the kind of town the coutry couldn't exist without, but nobody really notices most of the time.One more from Bethlehem and then I'll put those away for a while. When I saw this my first thought was of the Roman aqueducts. I'm not sure why really, they don't look that much alike. I think it was just the series of arches (something else the architectural world owes the Romans) and the feeling of age that went with the general scene.Several years ago I came across this tiny gallery in Carrboro run solely by a courageous slip of a woman who simply willed it into being. She's moved into another space in Chapel Hill now, but I'll always remember the original niche wedged in between a trendy restaurant and a paint and body shop.Sizl Gallery was -- and is -- proof of the power of sheer will. Started literally from srcatch with not much more than passion and guts, this small indie gallery is still standing 7 years later. Standing in a new location, but still a going concern.
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3 comments:
I'm from steel town PA/coal mining PA, there a few places in that state that don't look older than they should to me. I feel the same way about the family thats there too - they all look older than they really are.
I love these photos of yours. They feel like home.
jc
I know exactly what you mean, JC. My mom's family is from coal country (Clearfield, PA) and it does look older than it should. In Clearfield though, you could have your choice of dusts to get a chestful of; coal or brick.
"Just the kind of town the country couldn't exist without, but nobody really notices most of the time." There's something so poignant about that line. I love the simpler-times feel of the ice cream shop, too.
Great favicon! Yay!
-smarmoofus
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