It's Been A While...

I haven't written anything for a bit, so I thought I would post an update on life here in South America since my last post almost three months ago. I've mostly been up to two things, some travel and working on my upcoming exhibition and book. If you don't know about the exhibition and book, check out my previous post: https://www.global-dispatches.com/post/darkness-cannot-drive-out-darkness-only-light-can-do-that

First, the travel. Back in May as I was working on my upcoming photo project, "That's How the Light Gets In", I hit a creative block and just couldn't seem to make any progress; in the past when I have been blocked, going off on an adventure has always helped. So, one day I just randomly picked a location, bought a ticket, and set out. I had never been to Bogotá, Colombia, but I had heard amazing things about the art, the food, the museums, and the people, so it seemed like a good choice. I love traveling with friends or family, but solo travel has always proved to be good for my soul; it seems to be just the right medicine for whatever is ailing me. Bogotá did not let me down. Its a city that just hums with an energy that I could feel in my bones. The art and culture were amazing; everything from the gorgeous street art to the music and maybe most of all the Botero museum. If you are not familiar with the work of Fernando Botero, give him a Google, you will be glad that you did. Each day started off cold and rainy, so I spent my mornings in a local coffee shop listening to great music and writing in my journal or reading. My friend Daniel had recommended the book Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar and it proved to be the perfect book for a blocked photographer looking to find inspiration while traveling. I can't recommend it enough, three months later it still haunts me and I am sure that it will continue to. By mid-day, the rain would stop and things would warm up, so I would head out to wander the streets shooting photos or go to the museums and bookstores. My birthday happened to fall during the trip, so I took myself out to an amazing meal and partied with a bunch of college students that I met randomly at a pop-up concert. I fell in love with that amazing city and in a Facebook post I made at the time I commented: "Bogotá, I fear that this may be the beginning of a beautiful, but complicated relationship". Three months later, that comment is truer than ever. So...I will be heading back to Bogotá on September 8th to get another infusion of creativity, of life.

The Street In Front of My Apartment - Bogotá

In other travel/adventure news, In November I will be returning to Peru with my friend Narumichi. Naru and I first met almost thirty years ago while I was attending Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo. Through the years Naru and I have remained good friends and I have visited him a few times in Tokyo and he has come to see me in Cuenca. Now it's time for a new adventure in Peru. I will be sure to write a post with lots of photos from our time in the land of the Incas.

Tokyo - 1997

Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo - 2018

Ingapirca, Ecuador - 2019

As for the upcoming exhibition and book, since the creative kick in the ass I got in Bogotá, I have been working like a mad man. I have been spending many a day (and evening) doing photo shoots in artist studios and other creative work spaces and many an evening editing and laying out the book. In the last few days I wrapped up the photo shoot and editing portion of the project and am ready to move on to the next phase: printing. Since all of the photos will be in black and white and no place in Cuenca can print B&W worth a damn, I am using that as an excuse to go back to Bogotá. On my last trip I found an incredible photo lab that does museum quality black and white prints, so in edition to relaxing, eating, and shooting more photos, I will be working with the lab to complete the print phase of the project. When I return to Cuenca, I will finish up the work on the book and send it off to the printer which is located here in Cuenca. While the book is at the printer, it's off to Peru with Naru. The exhibition opening is on November, 19th. Below is a small sample of some of the work that will be in the exhibition and book. Again, check my previous post for more on what this all about.

Daniel Williams

Lorena Duca

Alberto Soriano

¡Hasta la próxima!

PS; Thanks to everyone that has been reading this blog and a special thanks to those that have left comments, they mean a lot to me. If you do decide to leave a comment below, please include your name so that I know that you were here. All photos in this post were taken by me (unless they are of me) and you can check out my photography galleries by clicking on the "Albums" link at the top of the page or by clicking here: https://www.global-dispatches.com/client-showcase

Thanks!

Plaza de Bolívar - Bogotá, Colombia