Monday, April 26, 2010

Urban Migration



Two weeks ago, I went out onto Valentino Peer in the rain. It was a drizzle plunging the bay in a looming fog. First the sound of quacking, like a bird conversation moving in from the fog, and then the geese returning to Canada flew by. They like having a quiet repose on the lawns of the empty Governors Island.

This vision foreshadowed our nomadic nature as we prepare ourselves for departure. New York is no repose, but a stop of sorts on a long migrating journey of the souls.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Roode Hoek,


a.k.a. Red Hook, Brooklyn


The New York Harbor



I have not loved a neighborhood as much as I love Red Hook. It has been named Red Hook since the beginning of the New York Harbor Colonies. In fact during the 19th century it was the busiest industrial port in the world.
Today you can walk down this peer which has an old sign that will point it out. Amongst crumbling post-modern decay you can make your way on cobbles to the water and look out at the statue of liberty. Seriously, how crazy is that?
And we are talking about a zone that was bustling two hundred years ago. It saw American revolution battles, with a harbor full of deadly ships. And the docks developed their own laws with the rule of the mafia. You will notice a practically abandoned Cathedral, an influence of the Italians and no one dares to say it, but it was also the home of Al Capone. The docks are almost gone.
You'd get shot her ten years ago, and that's the year 2000, but now it is perfect and fast becoming too much so. Red Hook, from the red soil and the Dutch meaning of point or corner, will be the West Village in a matter of 5 years. It is New York's best kept secret and every one knows about it. They just don't really know.
I will miss you!

Having a crew



The best part of the backcountry experience is the crew. You set off with a group of friends into the remote regions of the earth in each others company, heckling at will and "talking story". It sounds so cliche, but remember the reason and you will find the way. Besides it help having bad-ass skiing for your downhill endeavors. I'll say it anytime, Mt.Washington is as legit as the west.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Road Blog

I like having media to accompany my entries. Because I am inclined towards platforms of interactive media. A place where on can post a style, like your personal mug, only it is more of a tea pot. Sometimes there are only thoughts to share; Pouring ideas into many cups.

I am writing from a cross roads in the Pumalogy path. I recently updated my letter head featuring the lion logo and the saying expedition photography. It sets the stage for what the brand is. I am not talking about a usual brand like the recognition of a product but a signature of sorts. The lion logo is a wooden stamp, a seal to an open letter. I have already posted two of the three essential ideas behind Pumalogy;

Identity
Exploration
Execution

Have a look through the past entries and see. The last one, execution, is on my mind and is about to come out.

I collect images as painter would paint and conjure up experiments to execute. I am a photojournalist on a constant journey of exploration, and have collected over two thousand black and white photos I shot during my sejour in New York City. This is the result of a years worth of shooting almost every image that compelled me. This project is aside from assignments and focused photography where the images is the focus, no, here the image is not.

It is the myriad of moments that can only be captured in time.

Pumalogy is at a cross-road because no matter what there will be movement, and these iconic snap shots are about to become a memory, a project and a piece to be shown else where.

The idea is simple, to create an image, a drawn image, made up of the bits of memory captured in the city. I will make a photo mosaic. What is wild in its implications is the consequences of memory collected and the decisions that preceded their movement.

I'll let you interpret that, for now I am reporting from a crafted rocking chair, looking out onto Vermont at the Highway Welcome center. I think it is symbolic of Pumalogy to write from the road. A first, but probably not a last.

I am headed to Mount Washington, a classic NH peak, to join my friends for some backcountry skiing.

In the end Pumalogy is an outdoor brand.