I added a small political message at the end of Plant Ghost, even though it is awkward, because I didn't want my intent to be interpreted as capturing some kind of "stark beauty" along 14th Street in NW Calgary.
It's true that I did try to find aesthetically interesting and generally-pleasing shots. It's true that the building currently housing Dollarama has lovely, if decaying, architecture. It's true that there is some beauty to be found.
But this is all in spite of what we have done to this place, not because of it.
There is so much ugliness here, and so much hostility to life.
The City is evaluating 14th Street as a Main Street project. This means there is a chance to change what is here.
I fear that we will fail to give ourselves permission to meaningfully heal 14th Street-- a scar that cuts through a family of humane, social, and gentle communities, and interfaces with the incredible natural gift that is the Bow River in a way that is almost deliberately cruel.
We can definitely fix this, but I fear we will just look at all the cars and unthinkingly assume they are necessary and are more important than, well, everything.
Beat and recurring theme created on Elektron Model:Samples, live-jammed and recorded onto my 4 track cassette, then a second stereo track added from my KAWAII K-1 with one channel run through a chorus pedal.
Created the music first and then had the idea for this project. Originally I was going to show MacLeod Trail S, which is 14th Street writ canerously large, until I realized I didn't have to venture anywhere near that far from home.
Also since I'm here explaining myself:
I am not denigrating any businesses shown; I'm denigrating the environment they exist in.
I am also very satisfied if you find this place or my portrait of it beautiful-- I only want it to be understood that that wasn't my intent. (I'm overthinking this as always.)