Bright City
2nd Street Lane - Macon, GA
March 15, 2019 - March 15, 2020
A major public art experience bringing light & photography to Macon's unique alleyways, featuring work by local and national photographers.
Artists: Maryann Bates, Camylla Battani, Heidi Clinite, Stephanie DeMer, Fawne Derosa, Brandon English, Sydney A. Foster, Curtis Hertwig, Nathan Jones, Matt Odom, Matthew Smith, Andrew Turner, Jessica Whitley.
GALLERY GUIDE
On NewTown Building
Hip Hop Artist Bob Lennon, Matt Odom, 2018
“This portrait is from an assignment for Macon Magazine. I decided to put together a shoot that encompasses Bob's attitude and overall look. After hearing his remarkable story I decided upon photographing a look that was similar to that of a phoenix rising.” -M.O.
Unity Town, Jessica Whitley, 2015
“Unity Town was taken in August 2015 in Macon, while walking around the top of one of the tallest buildings in the city, in the search of beauty in the multi-varied infrastructure. Life and vitality naturally interweave within the downtown composition, so I wanted to show it in a way that showed how it works together. I then stumbled upon a birds-eye point-of-view that showed me a city of hope, unity and promise. I had found what I was looking for — a town unified by its skyline, infrastructure and the people that live here who effortlessly revive it daily.” -J.W.
Green Pickin’ Marvin, Sydney A. Foster, 2019
”Marvin Jones has been picking greens all his life, at least that is what he told me. I was infatuated with how fast he was able to pick the greens of stem. He was a machine. Marvin said to me, ‘Baby, you trying to turn me in and spy on me?’ I looked up from behind my camera and he said, “I’m just playing, take whatever pictures you need.” I met Marvin while roaming around at the State Farmers Market in Macon, Georgia. He had 2 of his grand daughters with him.” -S.A.F.
Tubman Museum of African American Art, Matthew Smith, 2015
Completed in 2015, the Tubman Museum is a beautiful 49,000 square foot building featuring African American art, history and culture. The geometric symmetry of the structure is unmistakable and extraordinary. The pointed roof architecture looks as though it is piercing the crystal clear sky, creating significant contrast and negative space.
On Fashion Avenue Building
Pick Me Up, Sydney A. Foster, 2019
“In a literal sense and metaphorical sense I was lifted up in this moment. The colors drew me in closer and shifted my spirits, the yellows and the golds brought me joy. This moment was reflective, tires had been getting me to places that I had never dreamed I’d be going. From the tires on my car, to the tires on planes. They have picked me up, and I thank God for the way they’re made.
All images were shot exclusively for Bright City and will be placed in an ongoing personal collection entitled Walks in the South.” -S.A.F.
Cascade, Andrew Turner, 2019
“The work is in response to the natural landscape that can be found in Macon, GA. In particular the landscape that encompasses the Indian mound site. I particularly reacted to this space due to the history of the mounds and the connection it has with the local region. Photographically I wanted the image to represent the beauty of the unmanufactured landscape with its relationship with the region today.” —A.T.
Super Blood Wolf Moon, Curtis Hertwig, 2019
“A super moon occurs when a full moon is closest to the Earth in its orbit. It appears larger in the sky hence the term super. A blood moon occurs during a lunar eclipse because the moon appears red due to the shadow of the Earth. A wolf moon is an ancient term for any full moon in January. (None of these terms are scientific, astronomical terms). Still, all coincided on 20 January of this year.” -C.H.
Love, Maryann Bates, 2016
“For years the park had struggled with safety concerns and a less than stellar reputation but because of the efforts of a handful of caring individuals, the park has had a re-birth. Tattnall Square Park got a facelift, new trees were planted, art was brought in and money was raised to put in a fountain where one had stood years ago. I have seen the fountain bring so much joy to so many people. Children laugh while dancing around it, senior citizens sit on the benches near it, I've seen marriage proposals and weddings in front of it and people enjoy it day and night. To me, the fountain in Tattnall Square Park is magical. It's a happy place and and it seems to bring out the joy and the wonder in all of us. And that's what I wanted to convey in my photo.” -M.B.
Vine City Floriography, Stephanie DeMer, 2019
”Floriography is a language of meaning through the arrangement of flowers. Visiting Macon, I was stunned to find flowers blossoming in the winter. Pinks, yellows, and white flowers surprising me in every site I visited. I wanted to honor the spirit of the present and past through arranging images of plants and place. Returning home, timelessness, memory, and beauty are imbued in these images—creating an arrangement of emotions steaming from the memories of people and places.” -S.D.
Rose Hill Cemetery, Nathan Jones, 2017
“This beautiful cemetery in downtown Macon is a place of endings and beginnings. One of my favorite places, I spent many days here wandering around making images. It's a place my mother hung out in high school, it’s filled with Macon history.” -N.J.
On The Rookery
Old School Music, Sydney A. Foster, 2019
“Lafayette Haynes was the first person I met upon arriving in Macon, GA. I was wandering around downtown and stumbled upon a man standing outside the doors of the store. He watched me look at the remnants of CDs on the door. He told me, ‘I’ll be right in.’ I learned that this was his store that he started in April 1967. He told me when he would get tired of working for other folk, he would always have his record store — to this day, he still does and takes pride in it.” -S.A.F.
Untitled (These Arms), Brandon English, 2019
This is one of several photographic collages I created while exploring Macon. Engaging in a form of vernacular photography, this work stems from various conversations with locals I met during my journey throughout the historic southern town. Central to the piece is the towns Otis Redding monument, memorializing the legendary soul singer. In an effort to destigmatize and challenge the often obscured black southern experience, I decided to memorialize/honor those that I met on my travels.
Christmas Limbo, Curtis Hertwig, 2018
In its second year, the Main Street Christmas Light Show Extravaganza brought children of all ages to downtown Macon.
Earth Lodge, Matthew Smith, 2011
The Earth Lodge is one of eight distinct mounds found at Ocmulgee National Monument. A low sun casts distinct shadows on the mound entrance, which contrasts the clear sky above. Soft curves highlight the skilled precision of the ancient architects that created the structure over 1000 years ago.
Oakland Floriography, Stephanie DeMer, 2019
“Floriography is a language of meaning through the arrangement of flowers. Visiting Macon, I was stunned to find flowers blossoming in the winter. Pink, yellow, and white flowers surprising me in every site I visited. I wanted to honor the spirit of the present and past through arranging images of plants and place. Returning home, timelessness, memory, and beauty are imbued in these images—creating an arrangement of emotions steaming from the memories of people and places.” -S.D.
Better Together, Camylla Battani, 2018
“This was our team huddle at church before VBS 2018. I believe that we can make a bigger difference in our community when we all work together despite our differences. I loved seeing all the skin tones represented in one photo and I thought that was the perfect picture of what Macon is like.” -C.B.
Bright City was curated & produced by Dashboard / Presented by NewTown Macon /
Made possible with support from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia