Ono Field by James K Lowe

/’Call of the Boys’ Shoot

This evening I was driving on the motorway heading downtown to see Sarah when I had another revelation (this occurs every three or so years). There’s something about the perfect setting which pulls everything into place. It was definitely a combination of setting, music and general atmosphere. It was the twilight zone. A time i’ve always tried to capture in my photographs without ever having done successfully- that ten minute window of opportunity where the sun has set, the moon is barely visible in the fading lit sky, the street lamps are lighting the paths infront of me and the city lights though dim, outline the diminishing skyline. Sometimes I feel like I turn auto pilot on, distracted by the haunting instrumental remixes of once popular songs, the light from the street lamps above pulsing over the dashboard of the car. The car headlights play into the street perfectly as the colour and hues of the atmosphere are balanced between the deep afternoon blue and orange from the tungsten bulbs above. I could just picture the scene from the backseat, as if I had removed myself from my body and was watching myself as a third person. I got lost so much so that I had missed my exit (twice) and ended up on my way to the north shore.

It wasn’t until later, now infact, at one thirty in the morning that I decided I want to make short films. It’s always been about the idea, and in the past my work has moved from distorting reality through audio and visual tools (glasses and headphones), creating miniature suburban houses in a never ending cul de sac and now to its latest form: photography. Although the first two never were to be seen, they were still integral to the thought process and overall product to my current work. Now I want to make a change, I want to show you something you could never get from a 2D medium. I’m excited at the prospect of where film will take me- so much so that the consideration of sacrificing a few things in my future is not completely unrealistic.

I want people to feel what I feel when I watch films. At one point in my life when I was seeing a psychologist they described an addiction to films to be my own version of sleep, my prozac to the afflictions of life. I want people to understand the deafening damp thud in your chest when you’re so caught up in and immersed in the scene you forget you’re not alone. I want to create a pieces of work that will leave people feeling like they just took prozac as they’re walking away.

This may be too forward..and perhaps i’ll go back on my word (i’m jumping the gun writing this so soon), but for now after my next exhibition opens on the 9th of June, I will be taking an indefinite break to pursue new territory.

My work is not about the medium, it’s about the idea, and from there it will grow.

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