It starts with “The Passenger”, by Iggy Pop. The Spotify playlist, “Parts Unknown” that is. Yes, this entry is about Anthony Bourdain‘s “Parts Unknown” docu-series, produced by CNN.
Anthony Bourdain, an Inspiration
A Day with Professional Architecture Photographer Roberto Conte
The light outside is just too bright. But it’s still early enough in the morning that I have a vague feeling of what it is like when that damn coffee shop that I love writing from opens up. Some Spotify playlist is going on in the background. Up comes “I Fall Apart” by Post Malone which is probably perfect for this post. Detroit. To many it might have fallen apart. But not quite yet. Continue reading “A Day with Professional Architecture Photographer Roberto Conte”
Michael Kenna and Detroit
In the past 3 weeks that I haven’t written an entry I learned a very valuable lesson which applies to the artistic world, and as a consequence to both my photography and this blog.
I caged myself in. I’ve been wanting to write this post for a long time, about Michael Kenna and his work at The Rouge plant here in Detroit, but as I read, and admired his work, I went down a few too many rabbit holes. Continue reading “Michael Kenna and Detroit”
A Pond Hockey Weekend
The entire stadium sings along. “Born and raised in South Detroit…” as they walk down the steps, no matter if they are satisfied with a win or disappointed by a loss.
Every time Journey’s song, ‘Don’t Stop Believing‘ comes on I sing along as if I was walking down the Joe Louis’ steps. I can’t associate the song to anything else now. Only to Detroit, Motown, and yes, Hockeytown.
A Process to Process
Winter is still in full effect here in Detroit, and although the days have gotten significantly longer, the last three days have been nothing but white. Snow, snow, more snow. I put on Pink Floyd, The Dark side of the Moon. It seems fitting with the outside mood, the tone. But also with today’s post. Continue reading “A Process to Process”
Another Gem
Eminem or Frank Sinatra? Or possibly David Bowie, Duke Ellington, or Louis Armstrong? I think Eminem.
In November 2002 the movie 8 Mile, featuring Eminem, comes out. I was in China at the time, and who would have ever imagined that 10 years later I would be moving to Detroit. Continue reading “Another Gem”
A Riveter’s Name
Rome is now beneath us. Once again on a plane headed to the next destination, Barcelona. Although the last two posts, including this one have been ‘on the road’ I do look forward to heading back to the usual cafe’ in Detroit. But, for this week’s photographic story being in an airplane is actually very well suited. Continue reading “A Riveter’s Name”
Fire to Snow
How do you feel about queues? About waiting in line? About that inner feeling of getting ahead, but at the same time being respectful and courteous as society has taught us to be?
Finally on the flight that will take my wife and I to Paris, for a whole 13 hours. I haven’t been to Paris in some 15 years, and my wife probably the same amount. The country of Bresson. Continue reading “Fire to Snow”
Northern Psychiatry
The Counting Crows have to be one of my favorite groups. I could listen to their albums over and over without ever getting tired of them. Not only do I like the music itself, but the lyrics. Phrases always seems to be disconnected, or make little sense, at least initially. But once you hear them a few hundred times they just kind of fit. Not to mention that Adam Duritz, the lead singer, has dealt with a dissociative mental disorder. But still, look at his craft, what he has produced.
And I dream of Michelangelo when I’m lying in my bed
I see god upon the ceiling I see angels overhead
And he seems so close as he reaches out his hand
But we are never quite as close as we are led to understand Continue reading “Northern Psychiatry”
Renaissance for Detroit
It stands tall. I always see it much taller than the rest.
It seems from another era. Rich, glamorous. Decadent. Detroit. Those words always seem to follow that same path. It was once above the rest, and now it’s below.
But not the Book Tower. High. High above the rest. First of all, it still stands. Second, it really does stand tall. Continue reading “Renaissance for Detroit”
The Power of the Bracelet
On August 9th I volunteered at the Medical Mission Detroit.
Another discovery through photography. Another item to research. I volunteered, as a photographer, but really had no idea what I was going to witness.
The alarm sounds at 4:30 am. It’s always cool here in Detroit, even in the summer. Quick breakfast, got ready, packed my gear, and headed out.
What was I doing? Where was I going? What would I see and what would it leave me?
Bill’s Love Story
I moved to Detroit in 2013, in January. I remember landing and oddly enough it was 18 degrees C and recall the taxi driver stating that he “loved this global warming shit”. I couldn’t argue given that my expectations would then turn to reality the day after. Minus an awful lot of degrees. It was freezing.
Went to work the next Monday. A new place, a new work environment, a new everything. The snow. I was amazed by the piles and piles of snow on the side of the road. I had relocated, I was here. Detroit.