Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Andrew Bush (Marissa's Pick)




Andrew Bush is a contemporary photographer based out of Los Angles. I found his book of this series while browsing in a photo bookstore this summer. His most well known series are these Vector Portraits. These portraits were taken while driving all over L.A. with a camera set up in the passenger seat of his car. A few are at stoplights and traffic but most were taken above 50 mph. Immediately, you can see how these images raise the issue of private vs. public space. Cars are a huge part of our individualistic culture, especially in Los Angles, and have become an entity of identity. Looking at the portraits, or just looking at the car next to you at a stoplight, you usually get an impression about the person inside.
Bush often explores this idea of objects that create identity in most of his work. Being part of a consumer culture, you are often defined from the outside in, by materials. These images present these little private worlds these people identify with and can express themselves in. Our cars have become like little homes or sanctuaries, because they are spaces of own, separated from the outside world while interacting with it. I think one of the strongest aspects of this work is how honest and vulnerable the subjects are. They are in this comfortable personal space, unaware of the camera because they are totally engaged with the outside of they’re car as we see them framed in they’re unique container. Conceptually and aesthetically, I find this pretty cool.
Check out his website.  He has a lot of interesting projects dealing with the concept of identity.  There's a pretty funny one to do yourself.  He has been using the internet to find out about all the other Andrew Bush's in the world.  Thinking about identity in a name.  
 andrewbush.net


1 comment:

Heather said...

I really loved the exploration of identity in all this work, especially since it has a little sense of humor to it which always interests me. The car photos give this great feel of isolation to each driver. Shooting everyone's profile with no eye contact from the subject highlights the fleeting moment and the separation between the subject and photographer. This could relate well to your work because this artist creates the polar opposite effect of what you want to achieve. He keeps the walls between subject and artist strong, keeping strangers just that...strangers.