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Act of Valor #3 Anaconda, Montana 2012

These blog photos really are too small to see the fine print very well (if at all) but the red sign next to the real estate sign says “bank owned.” I saw quite a number of these signs around town, an indication that trying to exist financially as a small business in Anaconda does indeed take an act of valor–or desperation I suppose. Is there any other choice when you have all your resources vested in a dying business? And what do you do when those resources are finally exhausted and you do have to turn it over to the bank.]]>

Act of Valor #2 Anaconda, Montana 2012

This one could have been included in my Patriot’s Dream series. There are other flag images in this Anaconda series as well, and there was no shortage of them in town to photograph. In times of stress, economic or otherwise, do people rely on their patriotism for comfort much the same way they do their religion?

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Act of Valor Anaconda, Montana 2012

There are still more images to go in the Measures of Anonymity collection from Denver but I’ve decided to pause that series for a while in favor of this one that I somehow ended up working on instead. This series is from the town of Anaconda, Montana. Anaconda was a mining town developed in 1883 around a smelter built to process the ore from the copper mines down the road in Butte. Originally it was to be named Copperopolis but perhaps strangely enough that name had already been taken, so it became Anaconda at the suggestion of the postmaster. The town thrived until the smelter was closed in 1980. Since then it has struggled economically to survive. The locals may object to the description, but it has a bit the proverbial “town that forgot to die” look about it. Besides being in color instead of black and white, this series is an interesting contrast to Measures of Anonymity. With a totally different look to the buildings and surroundings it presents another view of anonymity, solitude, and loneliness in an urban industrialized environment. Why the name Act of Valor? Because it perhaps takes an act of valor for a town and it’s people to try and stay viable when the economic rug is pulled out from under them–and also because Act of Valor was the name of the movie playing at the Washoe Theater the day I was there. (The title is on the marquee in the photo but it’s too small to read when published at this blog size.)]]>

Utah Arts Festival. It was perfect weather for an outdoor art show, with a high of 78 degrees. Too bad today was only set-up day. The actual show starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday and each of those four days promises to be in the high 90s. No rain in sight though so there is that.  ]]>

Measures of Anonymity #13 Denver, Colorado 2012

A corner shot of a parking garage.

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Measures of Anonymity #12 Denver, Colorado 2012

This is about the most sterile looking apartment complex I think I’ve seen. But it’s clean and well kept up.

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Elevations exhibit at the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell. Brian Ekland, most excellent Communications Director at the museum was kind enough to send me some photos from the event which I am finally getting around to posting. This first shot, taken during my gallery talk, shows the innovative way in which Elizabeth Moss, Executive Director of the museum, dealt with having more images than space for a simple horizontal display of the work; in a couple of places she hung them three high, a perfect arrangement photos of tall structures like these.

(photo courtesy of Brian Ekland)

 

I like this next shot, also taken during the gallery talk, because not only does it make me look like I might know what I’m talking about but the two ladies in the background are actually taking notes like what I was saying was important! The ladies were both docents at the museum and I was impressed with how much interest they take in their jobs, learning as much as they can about the exhibit so they can explain it to visitors.

(photo courtesy of Brian Ekland)

 

Finally, what reception would be complete without an impromptu fashion show? Here Connie (a.k.a. the fashion queen) and two like-minded new friends pose for a shoe shot.

(photo courtesy of Brian Ekland)

 

 All in all it was a great time and what a nice venue for my photos. If you live in the area, be sure to stop by and check it out–it’s on view all summer.]]>

Measures of Anonymity #11 Denver, Colorado 2012

Some real signs of life here, and some individuality as well.

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The Artist’s Lament Denver, Colorado 2012

(Taking a little break from the anonymity series here, it will be back tomorrow.) I got into doing art shows at a pretty bad time, shortly before the so-called Great Recession of 2008. Although the recession has ended, the art market continues to struggle. I don’t know how many times I’ve talked to veterans of the art show circuit who, during a particularly slow show somewhere, will tell me “you should have been five years ago” or “it’s not like it was ten (or twenty or even thirty) years ago when you could make a good living at this business.” Once in a while a budding photographer considering getting into the business will approach me at a show and ask me if it’s a good way to make a living. I always tell them that if they need to do it to pay the bills, they’d be better off working at McDonald’s where they will get a steady paycheck and bigger income and even have the possibility of benefits, however meager they might be.]]>

Measures of Anonymity #10 Denver, Colorado 2012

When I lived in an old adobe house in Tucson too many decades ago, I made my own adobe bricks when I decided to enclose the patio. This building facade reminds me of the repetitive pattern of the mold I used to form the bricks. It also brings to mind rows on rows of jail cells in some massive surreal prison–probably not the effect the architect was going for. I note some expression of individuality though; some of the curtains in the windows are open.]]>