I was curious what the local musicians [of Silver City] thought about the music scene [in Silver City] .
Emotional Aesthetic Photography of George Reid
I’m not confident in my ability for judging
the accuracy of photographs, and I’m a
photographer. I have yet to overcome
the subjective arguments surrounding
such a delicate undertaking. And in the
greater scheme of things (human
starvation, poverty, environmental
destruction, etc.), I don’t think this a
necessary trait in order to determine that
which beholds both human value and a
value to humanity.
The first time I encountered George
Reid’s photographs, aside from images
he’d taken of my family, wasn’t until he
agreed to give a lecture at Western New
Mexico University. The focus of this
lecture revolved around two different
environments inspiring his art making
process: a Montessori school and the
stages of local theatres. Upon my initial
viewing, I wasn’t able to think about the
photographs because their visual acuity
kept me thoughtless; I didn’t have
access to momentary reflection.
But, several weeks following his lecture, I
can now say that I have dedicated
substantial thought about the art of
George Reid. Most of this arose after
deciding to create this book. I just
wanted to thank George for taking his
time to open the eyes of young
collegiate photographers, me being one
of them (3 years ago). I certainly didn’t
expect to have my floodgates unlocked,
initiating inquiry into the nature of
humanness and human qualities that
might be fundamental outside of cultural
influence(s).
-Tyler Bingham
Originally, this book was a compilation of George's photography, his color photography; George has the only color edition. The conversion of his color images to black and white does maintain suggestions of his framing choices, geometric sensibilities, and his [spatial] relationships with his subjects. However, George is a color photographer.
The world is easy, as complicated as myself. I can recognize inequities in every context, although I don’t know what a context is. I am a student of higher education. This I equate with a student of life. The ideological challenges I thrust onto the world fail to awaken within my daily behaviors. I am critical without knowing my own reflection. I am deep within a personal history that I allow others to develop for me. I know how to point a finger, yet I fail to notice that three are pointing back towards me. I know the ideal world, however, I’ve never been introduced to the world sustaining me. Participation is exercised via coercion. Free will is assumed. I make the choice to follow because that is all I am familiar with. I fear becoming the other, although that is who I am, and so are you. I travel by car across the country believing this makes me worldly and cultured. I don’t take the time to have a conversation with strangers because they don’t know who I am, nor I them. Yet I maintain the cycle because I am without the experience. I am a tourist of life.
1st book I ever [self] published. The ISBN was purchased from an online vendor, not sure if it has the inventory / tracking capacity it should. The process enabled me to discover the power of transforming a myriad of scattered papers into a single object.
This is really my only publication intended for a public audience.
I photographed, developed a curiosity, and then asked for the story. The text has not been modified from its original voice.
Into A New Style of Life
More than a year ago I flew out to Chapel Hill, NC to discuss relocation possibliites with my mom. She has been formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's since 2010. I had expected her transition out to Silver City, NM to take more than two weeks. In a four day period, an iota of her posessions were packed in her car, the sale of her estate set in motion, lawyers met with, state agencies consulted, and emporary housing in Silver City arranged.
We drove across the country for three days, arriving in New Mexico a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, 2011. Within a month it was realized that my mom needed assistance with her daily living, even though her vibrant energy and zest for doing were (and continue to be) persuasive traits suggesting otherwise.
Neither of us expected to find engaging regularity and connection with the Open Mic experience hosted by Diane's Parlor - each Sunday we try to find ourselves there.
This book chronicles her past year.
Originally, the year's collection of photographs were projected onto 10'x10' wall, intended to inspire my mom into memory-driven discourse. My mom had nothing to say or comment about the large projected images, people, or events; my [original] intention failed. This book is a result of that original failure - mailed to a handful of people who maintained interest [in her] during her transitional year.
Photography by: George Reid
Photographs can push a person into questioning consistencies between their words and their actions.
Photography by: George Reid
No Notes
Photography by: Elizabeth Depew & Tyler Bingham
Expressing my love, asking for her hand.
