Huron
“In order for one to be savvy, they must first realize that the world is not the way it is because they woke up to it that way.” This statement that I heard a few years ago has had effected the way I perceive the world around me. It also served for the base inspiration behind this series of work which explores the history and life that has existed along the Huron River that flows through southeast Michigan. The work is twofold. Firstly it is comprised of quotes about the river and the settlers that have interacted with it over the last few centuries. The second part is the images that explore the current state of the river and its surrounds.
By juxtaposing text from biographies and historical descriptions with scenes from the present, the images show how space transcends time. As humans we can live in the same region for many generations, during which we change and the landscape changes, but the space remains constant. We tend to live in the current moment rarely looking back to understand why things are the way that they are, leaving our memory of the past to become fogged and skewed over time. The landscape however continues, showing evidence and stories of past structures, paths, and wildlife and cultures.
“A river or a creek, as opposed to a lake, paralleled life…living and moving as a person going life, stopping now and then to help, to rest, to reflect, before moving on to this destiny.” 2012, Inkjet Print 20"x13.5"
"It was here the red man came during the warm months to hunt and fish and gather the bountiful harvest of wild berries and fruits" 2013, Inkjet Print 20"x13.5"
"The locality has had every advantage; nature made it beautiful, the American pioneer made it useful" 2013, Inkjet Print 20"x13.5"
"We welcome every honest heart into our friendly meeting; to every man that led the van we send kindly greeting; All honor to the gallant band who always led the way, and made the State so rich and great, now crowded with silver grey;" 2013, Inkjet Print 20"x13.5"
"We reached Ann Arbor on the seventh day after leaving Detroit, bu the the boat containing our goods did not arrive... till the fifteenth day." 2013, Inkjet Print 20"x13.5"
"However gentle the Huron looks as it flows through our collective backyard, it has its own life, its own power" 2013, Inkjet Print 20"x13.5"
"For the first time today, a cloud covers the sun" 2012, Inkjet Print 20"x13.5"
““Giwitatigweiasibi”…. The Seine-like windings of this beautiful stream and the picturesque valley through which it flows, earned for it the unrepeatable name conferred by the “simple tongued” aborigines.” 2012, Inkjet Print 20"x13.5"
"Man must not ever be in a serious mood. In his proper element he cannot be, for good health depends in a great measure on an occasional laugh and moments of gaiety snatched from time." 2012, Inkjet Print 20"x13.5"