Milwaukee, Wisconsin: home of 'Harley-Davidson', 'Laverne & Shirley', 'Happy Days', 'the Violent Femmes' & Miller Beer. Nearby Madison plays host to 'the Onion' & Wisconsin at large, 'that 70's show'.
This is most certainly a heartland of self-conscious America. The Midwest could be seen as a domestic border culture where social commentators straddle the all-consuming American dream & have a go. Which brings us to photographer Scott Johnson & his latest exhibition, What is tempo?
And just what is tempo? A pace, a perceived rhythm that ticks by the seconds of a lifetime. It surges through the adrenalin highs of late night ice-racing; where dirt bike tires are wrapped in chains & beer is a necessity against the bitter Wisconsin cold. It turns over slowly driving across Texas in July.
Scott Johnson is a touring social photographer. His current showing is a window on his American life. It finds him racing the dirtbike circuit, hanging downtown in Milwaukee bars, beachside in Brazil, on the open road anywhere in the US.
He's not in your face judgemental & it's a very self-aware documentary. But in true Wisconsin style the commentary is there, backdrop provided by the great American landscape.
All that said, be it photos of the flickering tv screen in his roadside motel or the expansive view from the driver's seat of his truck, his artwork holds a 3rd dimension of time. The presentation of his photos is also telling, he prints them LARGE & mounts them on pvc, aping trade show techniques. Here today, gone tomorrow.
Please come to the opening Friday, June 25th from 7-9PM.
96 Gillespie
open TU - SU, 12 noon - 6pm, TH 8pm
96 Gillespie Road
London n5
Arsenal Tube
(exit tube, turn left, look for #96)
020 7503 3496
www.96gillespie.com
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