West Bottoms
I approached this collection as a way to ‘exercise my eye’. I left the tripod at home, and went on a walkabout, like a visiting photographer from Romania might do. Gabby—wassup!
No plan or concept in mind, though I did consciously try not to look through the camera, but into it and see the image ‘on the ground-glass’ in two dimensions. So to speak.
The west bottoms is a wonderful mix of architectures, ranging from very old utilitarian buildings that are still around from Kansas City’s gritty cow-town past, and proud masonry warehouses—some abandoned, many converted into apartments and condos. What remains in the area amongst highway and freight traffic, vacant lots, and drifters spans a full spectrum of neglect, decay, and rebirth. As a photographer I feel some guilt picking such 'low hanging fruit’, though I don’t imagine an occasional indulgence will ruin me.
And for a tortured rationalization of my general artistic approach, click HERE.

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