I am not only a product of my past but also a messenger. My grandmother’s photograph speaks to me as if she were in the room. When I bake her Christmas cookies with my daughters I can only smile and wonder if they tasted the same for her when she was a young mother. When I visit the beach in the summer, it is much more than sand and water. I walk by the hotel my grandfather built with his bare hands, and I see him so vividly, working in the sun, cursing, sweating, laughing and smiling, always smiling whenever he saw me. Just as these memories are my own, I realize that all things have a history, and are waiting to tell their stories. My artwork pays homage to those who transcended their time, who survived with dignity in the face of despair, and who even today still teach us how to live with courage. Their roots are planted all around us, in the buildings we work in, on the bridges we drive on, and in the homes we sleep in.
For decades Asbury Park, NJ was the epicenter of family shore life, now it stands a mere shadow of itself. When I began this project I thought it would be interesting to photograph Asbury Park simply because of its historic name...was I ever surprised. My first visit to the famous boardwalk revealed some of the most beautiful and interesting buildings and facades I’d ever seen. From the Casino Hall to the Carousel House, I was completely fascinated. The real fun started on my last visit, when I decided to explore these decaying buildings from up close. For a moment I felt like Richard Nickel, the photographer who saved some of Chicago’s most famous buildings with his breathtaking images. The challenge of photographing these buildings lies in the accessibility. In instances when I was able to enter the building, I would carefully examine my surroundings looking for the beauty and texture in the remaining architecture.
There is much more to photograph in Asbury Park for me. The people there are as interesting and diverse as the buildings they walk amongst and though at times there is a sense of abandonment in the city, there is also a feeling of optimism. I am intrigued by the beauty these old, crumbling buildings still possess and my wish for them is restoration and dignity.
The Carousel House
Casino, Under Construction
The Convention Center
The Stone Pony (view from water park)
