Boonville USA begins...
Friday, August 3, 2007
Illustration by Jason Covert, 2007
Boonville USA: The Death and Life of America's Small Town is a six-month photographic journey to six different towns named Boonville. Through May of 2008, I will be driving solo across the country, spending one month in each of the six communities. I will be staying with families in each town; I believe that living with locals will help me to further understand the community, its surroundings and mysteries. By using a common and evocative name like Boonville and showcasing the six different regions and towns, I am attempting to explore the connections which small towns have to each other and to the rest of America. The project began on August 1, 2007 in Boonville, Missouri.
The Hallmark Institute of Photography actually plays a very important role in this project. The project was originally created in 2003 and in 2005 I presented it to George and asked if he would be willing to help sponsor it. He told me they have done such things in the past and to put together a proposal for him. In late 2006, with the guidance of Cannery Works--a not for profit arts organization in NY, I drove up from Brooklyn and presented George with a proposal presenting the project. We discussed our options and I eventually came back a few months later for another discussion, this time having a specific request in mind. Cut to today: They said yes! I recieved an equipment and film grant/loan from the school which includes a VX-125 Toyo-View 4x5 (a sweet studio camera with full movements that folds up smaller and is lighter then their field version), a Mamyia 7II with a 65mm, 80mm, 150mm lens, a new Induro carbon fiber tripod, an iBook, the new Acute 600-watt battery-powered portable light pack, and a bunch of film. All in all it was a good score!
Without Hallmark it would have been very difficult for me to be sitting where I am now and to have the essential equipment to pull of such a large project. It's huge! Thank you!
I have a blog for the project that I will be continuously updating: www.BoonvilleUSA.com
Also, I was on the cover of the Boonville Daily News yesterday. They said I was from Buffalo but whatever...
Labels: Timothy Briner
posted by Timothy Briner @ 11:34 AM,
2 Comments:
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At August 6, 2007 12:00 PM,
Wayne Wallace said...
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This is a great project!
Keep us posted! -
At August 6, 2007 7:59 PM,
Timothy Briner said...
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Thanks Wayne. It's been a long time coming. I've been here (currently at a local pub with WiFi!) for a week. I'm a bit overwhelmed. I've taken a number of portraits and landscapes but haven't fully gotten into the groove yet. I've been staying with local families so it's been a bit hard to get into the zone--running around, back and forth, etc. I'm at an historic hotel today and tomorrow; Hopefully this will help me to it together and focus. I will keep you updated. Best, Tim
