Artist’s Statement

Life, what is it? Is it merely the pumping of blood or fluid through a physical being? Is it a noun? Is it a verb? What does it mean to any of us collectively or individually? What does it mean to a city? How does a city like Las Vegas express its life? Through families? Through casinos? Through arts? Through community? Through neon? Undoubtedly, this is a city of amazing and contradictory life. And the birth of Las Vegas most assuredly includes life arising from the sparse and adverse environment of scorched earth. This infrared photographic series presents a visual concept of Las Vegas sustaining itself through the charred haze of burning desert. And not merely sustaining, but pulsing with neon life as steady as any heartbeat roaming its darkest streets.

Production Notes: All images were shot with an infrared-converted Canon camera with a Lensbaby Control Freak in place of a traditional lens. Select pieces are then produced on archival (water- and dust-proof, and scratch-resistant) aluminum.