For almost as long as photography has existed, photographers have wandered the concrete pathways, documenting life on city streets, photographing buildings, people, and how the two interact. While cities are ever-changing, those historical documents remain, providing proof of what was. Eugène Atget famously documented the streets of Paris before and after WWI. What did they hunt for when walking? Why are we drawn to certain things over others? Some photographers are drawn to people, some to the buildings, some look for light, some look for chaos, and I look for things that may not really exist.
These images explore my fascination with seeking the small breaks in reality, the brilliance of light, and with seeing something as it appears in a reflection, how the slight distortion makes the moment feel like a memory. In my collection, you will find many mannequins, a constant fixture on city streets, often unnoticed and underappreciated. I find myself so drawn to those human-like figures that watch us as we walk by. Realizing how few humans look past the clothes and accessories and feel something deeper. There seems to be almost a psychological pull for some to anthropomorphize objects, as if it's a desire for human connection in this crazy, busy, and often lonely world.
This project is inspired by my love of street and creative photography, and by my quest to find colorful, unique moments. All while searching for lost memories and finding comfort with the anthropomorphic figures I know will be waiting and watching. This is for those who look for whimsy, for color, for something to spark their imagination, and for those who feel alone in the big city.