Once Vegas: Motels, swimming pools and trailer parks.
A meander through the dark side of Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Artist Statement:
I love photographing urban landscapes . Preferably ones from the “other side of the tracks”. Places where people have made or have to make tough choices. Places where it may seem to be the end of the road. Places where people live on the edge and on edge. The fringes of society, as it were.
It is here where we get closer to the grittiness of life. It may well be its core. It is where we question others’ decisions. Where we can appreciate our own lot in life and where we can use others’ mistakes as a way to pull ourselves back from the brink.
As an observer of all this one can find great photographic inspiration.
This series is from a study that I have over the years of derelict,
“off, off the Strip” Las Vegas motel signs. This motel row evolved from the original Las Vegas “downtown” where legendary hotels such as the Golden Nugget and Binion’s still struggle for survival. Just west of there are about a dozen or so run down motels with gambling theme names such as Black Jack Motel or, my personal favorite, the Par-a- Dice Motel.
These are low level motels laid out on one or two floors with sputtering air conditioners and splintering lounge chairs beside crumbling swimming pools. No problem finding a room here, my friend. Yes, we have vacancies.
Yet all of these motels still beckon clients with their original signs however decayed they might be. Some are neon, some are simply rimmed with small, clear, flashing light bulbs and many of these bulbs are burned out with no hope of being replaced anytime soon.
Yet all of these signs have character. Somehow they all radiate or telescope what goes on inside and it isn’t always pretty, one can be certain. But in a strange way, I see beauty in all of this landscape and have tried to reframe it by isolating the vignettes and transposing the grim realities into colorful reinterpretations. I suppose it comes partly from my perennial positive spin on life, wherever it might be.
Enjoy.
John Archer
Montreal, October 13, 2007.
Contact:
Tel. 514-516-1716
Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
