Monday, March 29, 2010

New Topographics and the Front Yard

New Topographics demonstrated a new way to show architecture. Photographers captured ordinary scenes-- tract homes and gas stations abound-- but with a new style. If the original New Topographics exhibit can be defined as a particular way of seeing how man interacts with nature, then perhaps a new step would be to look at how nature interacts with man's architecture. Some house-owners take control over nature and keep perfectly manicured lawns; others allow nature to run its course in their front yards. Sometimes, as in the photo above, a passer-by wouldn't even be able to see a house through the thicket in its front yard. Other houses allow plants to grow, but assign each tree a certain symmetry or relegate them to act as a sort of 'natural' fence. The front yard is the realm of the suburban home where nature can reassert its influence, if the homeowner allows.








7 comments:

  1. A very interesting concept and fascinating new look at new topographics. I like it. The first photograph is beautiful.

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  2. You sold me on the concept and execution. Thank you for thoughtful photographs!

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  3. great idea and funny how people are so interesting to let their trees grow wild. it would be cool to see these homes/yards in the summer with the vegetation grown over.

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  4. Really cool idea. Often the front yards are all we have to judge the people who live in the house off of. Nice job.

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  5. I love how the concept ties all the photos together so well. Also, it's interesting that all of the yards had overgrown trees, not weird landscaping or whatever.

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  6. I love how despite man's best efforts, nature always wins. This is really cool looking

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  7. This is a genius idea because everyone sees and comments on people's yards around them. You did a great job capturing them. The blue in the sky is excellent.

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