In Focus: A note to let you know I got this far - Postcards, West End
September 30, 2009
A visual essay looking at the associations between the physical environment and memory within the West End.
Statement and Photos by Dave Semeniuk
After six years of occupying the West End, I am leaving. This series is the result of a typological study of my travels throughout this neighbourhood. The study is not strictly an investigation of formal architectural associations, but rather an account of the associations between physical structure and memory; it is a collection of postcards I have written and collected for my future self. Accompanying these images are a few brief notes, scribbled, signed, and sent:
We almost hit a baby black bear coming up the Coquihalla.
Kind regards Ganga Sisters.
He left thick tarry prints of his hands and feet on the balcony.
Right then, he jumped.
Today, I quit.
Collectively, the images and notes go beyond the physical relationships of hierarchical typologies. The collection of memories and intuitions I have of this neighbourhood sieve through these relationships, thereby providing a non-physical framework in which the neighbourhood can be reconstituted. In turn, each postcard is received, flipped, and read.
Dave is a big burly bear of a man. He has a large head and hands. He overwinters in his cave downtown, occasionally peeking his head out to forage on nearby fruits, vegetables and espresso. His day job has him sailing across the world doing science. Honest. You can view more of his photographic work here.
i heart big burly bear dave!!!! your work is SOOO amazing!!!! glad we are friends!
For 25 years I lived in the west end. Almost every one of these images is familiar to me although I’d be hard pressed to put an address to many of the locations.
A worthwhile project Dave, thanks.
I’d like to echo what Wayne said above. So very familiar yet unidentifiable at the same time, great work.