Thursday, January 5, 2012

Zoe Strauss, Billboard Project.

As part of her 10 year retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Zoe Strauss, has put up billboards of her work all around Philadelphia.

"the project is loosely structured around the themes of the Odyssey, presenting an epic story about journey and homecoming. For ten years Strauss installed her annual I-95 exhibition in South Philadelphia which she describes as an “epic narrative about the beauty and struggle of everyday life.” The Billboard Project represents another telling of that narrative"

Billboard number 1, is located not only on the corner of where I live, it is also located on the corner where I first encountered a Zoe Strauss print back in 2002/2003. It was a photograph glued to a piece of wood and nailed to a pole on the corner of Passyunk and Reed. This photograph led me to more of her work, which led me to admiring her work, which led me to contacting her in regards to an internship, which she accepted, which led to a long friendship which continues to this day.

Zoe has been not only a mentor and inspiration to me, she has been a great and generous friend. She is Philadelphia to me, her and her family have always welcomed me with open arms, and they've helped me to view Philadelphia as my second home.

On a personal level, this photograph at this location. brings tears to my eyes. From a small photograph on a piece of wood nailed to a pole, to a giant billboard, a 10 year retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art....I could not be more proud of you Zoe!

http://zoestraussbillboardproject.com
http://zoestrauss.blogspot.com
http://www.philamuseum.org

No comments: