Good Morning Andrew

PROTOPURGE

As I was dragging my rather sorry ass to work this morning with a pharmaceutical and red wine hangover, I finally had the chance to whip out a camera and photograph. It has been quite some time since I’ve been able to see something + have a camera around to document it. I’m not sure if any other photographers out there have this question from time to time: Which is better: to experience and not create or to create and therefore lose your first-person experience of a place/object/subject?

I have no idea how to answer that question – perhaps that is one reason I’m starting to think more and more about long-shot, ambient noise, meditative video pieces?

There is this former liquor store (or as I call, grocery store) on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. Not only is it covered in patched shades of delicate pink, but the graffiti that has been lovingly applied to it seems to always be personally engaging. To the folks that do this. I give you my utmost thanks. You make my walk through one of the least interesting cities in the world… almost worth it.

ONE OF US WILL DIE FIRST

LOVE IS THE BOMB

I couldn’t stop with those photographs. If you continue to walk up the almost-always deserted plaza known as Nicollet Mall, you will come to one of my favorite public/private spaces. Apparently the Hyatt hotel wanted to partake in the orgy of beautiful new, vibrant public space and make a little plaza of their own. It cracks me up everytime I walk by it.  Would you, seriously, want to spend any time in this little place?

HYATT HOTEL PUBLIC/PRIVATE SPACE

Perhaps my favorite failing of this little public/private place is the garden shed-turned bar? DJ booth? Latticed covered outhouse?  Or… I love the cast-steel bars around the perimeter. DO NOT TRY TO ESCAPE. Once you come into this space: HYATT FUCKING OWNS YOUR ASS!