CA 94103 (2011)

In the postcode area CA 94103 in San Francisco, which topographically predominant landmark is a large freeway junction, I photographically examine the city landscape and the found objects on the street. I am interested in objects embedded in unspectacular landscape. Easily overlooked objects whose unambiguous allocation to rubbish or usefulness can not always be drawn. I collect them, I archive them. An inventory.

The freeway junction is a transitory space and a shelter at the same time. It is the home to many homeless people. During the day one can only see their traces. Their provisionally stored away personal belongings. A bridge pier used as a wardrobe, provisorily closed off with some cardboard. A shopping trolley full of possessions and a broom covered with a woollen blanket. A supposedly private space, created in a public space.

I continue my way. Draw larger circles around the freeway junction and discover more and more traces in the adjoining streets. A suitcase attached to a traffic sign with a small padlock. A little further on the sidewalk between parked cars and motorcycles a folded blanket with a pillow. They look like unusual sculptures in urban space. At first you hardly see them as they blend in with their surroundings. And the further I move away from the junction, the harder it gets to classify the found objects as personal belongings or ordinary rubbish on the street.

77 analogue c-prints | framed | 40,4 x 50 cm, | Ed. 5 + 2 AP