Return to New Orleans - Mardi Gras 2016

February 14, 2016 Modern Bay Studios

I was invited by Miss Stacy in Wonderland to return to the Bayou for the celebration of Mardi Gras, an endless chaotic party full of floats, beads, costumes and magic. The weather was cold and clear and I was delighted to see this centuries old tradition in person. Elements of Mardi Gras have trickled down to festivals and parades all across the world, with the fundamental features of vibrant self expression and raucous joy showing themselves to be timeless.

New Orleans was one of the highlights of our journey and it was really nice to come back after I had some time to reflect on the photographs I took here previously. It's a city with it's own distinct characteristics, and when Beyonce's Formation video came out the weekend before Mardi Gras, I had recognized some of the areas she shot footage having walked them just days previously. I hope you enjoy this second look at the city.

The Road to New York

August 16, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

This trip has taken us across the country, through the south and up the east coast over a time period of 5 months. It has been nothing like I expected, and I have done my best to absorb the experience by photographing, writing, and thinking as much as possible. The volume of it is starting to add up: I've snapped ten thousand photos and written one hundred eleven pages in my daily log. It reached a certain point after New Orleans where I was struggling to wrap my head around the scope of the work. After pouring through images repeatedly we have begun to sort and categorize them, a continuous process that is constantly evolving, swirling and churning like this storm cloud that rolled in on us at a grocery store parking lot outside Cincinnati, OH.

We are about to leave New York City, where we've been holed up for the last three plus weeks, get back in the van and take a roundabout route back to California that will take us to every remaining continental state. These photos are a selection from the last few months, after we left New Orleans all the way up to just before the Big Apple, snapshots from the neverending story that is my life

Florida had incredible beaches, there is certainly no disputing that. America's southeast corner was our home for a few weeks, as we frequented the warm waters of the Gulf and went all the way out to the Keys (Photo #4) at the tip of the Atlantic coast. Had a memorably dour birthday in Miami (Photo #5) where we all recovered from food poisoning. Spent valuable time with my Aunt and her three kids in Seminole (Photo #2-3), giving me perspective on my own youth. One of the most sensationally impeccable moments was stopping at Fort Pickens in Pensacola (on the tip of our oil change technician) and plunging into the surf (Photo #1). Water has never felt that good before.

Our journey led us up the north, to historical coastal havens Savannah, Charleston (Photo #1) and Annapolis. We spent time with a large collection of my family in Maryland, and venturing into Washington D.C. for long museum and landmark sessions (Photo #3). Virginia was a pleasantly surprising chapter of the trip, much more lush and green than I imagined. The two couples that hosted us, family friends of my parents, had incredible scenery right in their backyards (Photos 2&4). On our way out we drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway towards North Carolina and the Great Smoky Mountains (Photo #5) for some really wonderful camping and scenery.

This country is enormous and full of so many people, places, and things. Trying to synthesize all of these elements into something coherent has been a weighty undertaking. I try to keep my eyes open all the time, actively aware of the world around me , and do my best to capture it. So much of this trip has been experiences and feelings that are hard to express. The immaculate ceiling of the first American Cathedral in Baltimore (Photo #3). Sheer joy on children's faces who played in the fountain in Charleston (Photo #1). Lonely back road gas stations that protrude from the country's scenery (Photo #5). The pulse and energy of a summer baseball game in our nation's capital (Photo #4). Palpable history at the Naval Academy in Annapolis (Photo #2).

There's a satisfying feeling that comes from being on the road. Driving is an immersive experience into a location. It serves as our safe, consistent space in an unpredictable world. We have a large series of photos of the van, such as in front of the Pittsburgh skyline (Photo #3). The van took us through Bardstown, in the bourbon fields of Kentucky, where Distilleries dominated the countryside with their smoky warehouses (Photo #5). From Skyline Drives (Photo #2) to suburban neighborhoods (Photo #1), we drove all over Virginia. We caravaned with an ancient green pickup truck piloted by Miss Stacy during our Ohio reunion (Photo #4).

I've always been attracted to the details, capturing a close up or intimate look at a subject. I'm still as fascinated with bubbles (Photo #4) as the children that chase them, I just manifest my curiosity differently. Any home belonging to a Hoover is chock full of little mise en scenes wherever you look (Photo #5). Some colors you just don't encounter so overwhelmingly very often, and it provokes a response (Photo #1). Miss Stacy took a bit of the river home with her after a quick dip (Photo #3). The stark contrast of the ramp up to Clingman's Dome with the forest in the massive natural softbox of the Smoky Mountains. (Photo #2).

People usually have a difficult time relating to the concept of what we are undertaking with this odyssey. The amount of time and broadness of the focus makes it hard to comprehend. For the most part though, we have benefitted from tremendous support from everyone we talk to about what we're doing. People have spoiled us with food and drink, generous donations and plenty of stimulating conversation. There is an appreciation and jealousy of the freedom we have. It has been an experience that I will always remember, and sometimes you get lucky and stumble into a beautiful scene, like our companion the moon making an appearance in Harrisburg, PA. The longer we travel, the more opportunities for perfect moments like this one.

- Anthony Mayes -

Artist Perspective: Sean

June 27, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

Walking about and biking were the primary modes of transport in New Orleans as our crew would venture off into unexplored neighborhoods, documenting the city's charm one block at a time. We lived in the Bywater, where while walking it's decaying sidewalks, we'd often bump into people armed with their plastic cup of some boozy concoction. Block after bock, I was continually drawn to the architecture with it's vibrant color palette and French-inspired design. Some homes appeared to embody the entire spectrum of the rainbow with complex ornamentation that wrapped itself around every possible surface. Graffiti, old advertisements, and home-made signs made up the typography of the city at large, sometimes taking residence even in the sky. These are a few examples of what I chose to capture.

- Sean Vranizan -

Portraits from New Orleans, LA

June 19, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

Our 23 days in New Orleans were a wild ride. At Wonderland, there was a rotating cast of characters: other residents and employees of Miss Stacy, guests who rented out the main house, and attendees of the various parties that were thrown at her establishment during our time as the shed people. We had a few visitors from home and met people during our stay. People played an important role in making New Orleans the incredible experience that it was.

We attended a wedding reception for a Kentucky liquor salesman. We wore costumes for a circus party with live performances and music. everyone decked out in their fairytale finery. We witnessed a live performance at a village where every building was a handmade musical instrument, each operated by a different musician with a full brass band walking amongst us. We peeled crawfish by the truckload and spent most evenings drinking alcoholic beverages on the porch, waving at all the people that walked by.

I went to a rap show at the House of Blues, met someone out front who noticed my camera, and was granted all access to photograph him and his friends as they opened for Juicy J. They were all just grinding trying to blow up, and I was witness to their attempts to live the hip hop lifestyle in New Orleans. You hustle, you put yourself out there, and just keep working until you achieve your dreams. While the audience was mostly white college kids, that didn't bother any of them, or Juicy for that matter. The Juiceman even got a kick out of it, as he was taking requests from the crowd he chuckled when "I ask the white girl what she wanna hear she say 'smoke a ni**a'".

There are so many people we met and so many things we did that I didn't adequately photograph. That has been a major struggle for me on this trip, finding the balance between experience and documentation. Portraits, something that I pride myself upon, have been especially hard to execute up to my standards. This trip has been a big learning experience for me, and in some ways it has been preliminary. These photos represent a sliver of what I've seen, but I've built a base of knowledge for the future. Onwards, ever onwards.

- Anthony Mayes -

New Orleans, LA

June 15, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

I looked forward to visiting New Orleans a great deal. It is a city my family speaks of with reverence, in particular my grandmother whose kin hailed from Nawlins. I had never been, and knew only to expect great food, colorful people and a distinctive atmosphere. Before we even arrived at Wonderland, the urban landscape distinguished itself from other major cities with it's heavily battered roads and neighborhoods adjacent to epic high ceilinged manses with ornate columned porches . It's been 10 years since Hurricane Katrina, but the physical and emotional scars are still present. Despite that, the whole city pulsates with a singular energy. The cajun flavor of the locals interspersed with the constant trickle of tourists creates a simmering gumbo of vivacious culture, with abundant incredible music and delicious cooking.

We spent three weeks here, walking, biking and driving around it's uneven streets as far as they would take us. I developed an affinity for Piety Wharf a few blocks from Wonderland and would spend mornings and afternoons there journaling and thinking while I watched the boats drift round the bend of the Mississippi River in front of Downtown. Torrential downpours of rain and wind drove us to retreat into our shed, as well as a few nights of annually swarming termites. We attended crawfish boils, live music performances, explored museums and ventured out into the swamps and bayous. If I ever am in the position to eat and drink myself to death, I will choose New Orleans. I didn't have a bad meal and I only began to scratch the surface. Hopefully the city is able to persevere, as Ron the carpenter who worked frequently at Wonderland told us that even he fears the city will eventually be underwater. I would love to be back before that happens.

- Anthony Mayes -

Through The Looking Glass

June 9, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

Miss Stacy's closet is magnificent. The high ceilings of her home are maximized when you are dwarfed by rack upon rack of hung outfits in bright colors and various fabrics. She has accumulated an arsenal of luxurious costumes, for men and women, and is so unbelievably over prepared for Mardi Gras or any other occasion. She hosted several parties while we stayed with her, and she helped us pick out suitable ensembles to blend in with the festive revelers in attendance.

On our precious last day with her before she embarked for the Orient, we donned our NOLA-flage once again to pose for some family portraits. Miss Stacy is wearing her original Mardi Gras outfit, and we accumulated props from all over the house to create the scene. Mr. Stanley, the resident Schnauzer, was his usual patient and handsome self, garnishing the image as the piece de resistance. We can't wait to get this photo framed and hanging in Wonderland, and in our own Modern Bay headquarters back home.

Wonderland

May 29, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

We arrived in New Orleans without a clue where we would be staying. At the recommendation of a friend, we were connected to Miss Stacy Hoover, a local watch store proprietor and extravagant socialite. She offered us residency in her shed, but we had no idea what to expect. To our utmost joy and delight, we arrived the evening after a storm at the most magical of homes, Wonderland.

We spent over 3 weeks in New Orleans at this palatial, exquisitely decorated, high-ceilinged manse in the Bywater. Miss Stacy was a tremendous hostess, welcoming us with open arms and trays full of snacks and cocktails. She held several parties at her home, kept music playing during most hours of the day in every room, and kept us abreast of the goings on about town. Her home was magnificent, everywhere you looked there were fascinating objects, intricate artifacts, beautiful furniture and towering works of art. I often felt as though I had stepped through the looking glass, as the experience was so magical it certainly did not feel real, but I can assure you it was.

- Anthony Mayes -

Austin, TX

April 30, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

I last traveled to Austin 4 years ago, in the spring of 2011 with a few friends, a local girl returning home, and a friend attending UT for graduate school. Even just in the four years between my visits, I've noticed some changes. The town has been in the midst of a decade-long shift away from the "Keep Austin Weird" slogan of the early 2000s. As tech companies, skyscrapers, and California transplants continue to sprout up in the Texas capital, some feel that the soul of the town is dissipating a bit.

Despite it all, it's still a very pleasant place, if a bit overloaded with people. 6th street at night is chaotic, swarming swathes of people looking to fuck, fight, or both. The line for Franklin's Barbeque, a formerly local treasure, starts at 5am and the wait usually takes all morning long, with a chance that the meat runs out before you even get to the front. Hamilton Pool, a magical grotto swimming hole with a waterfall to boot, fills up quickly on a hot day, and the line of cars gets capped at 10 or so, waiting indefinitely until someone else leaves the paradise.

Austin was very lush, trees of different shades of green spanned many areas providing a nice palette to work with. Spent many times at creek beds and swimming holes. Some of them dry up at certain times, so the landscape changes pretty drastically with the seasons. We rode canoes out onto the colorado river and paddled past the downtown skyline. In the suburban areas surrounding the city, land was more affordable and animals of all types were commonly found at people's residences. Bluebonnets were in season, and sprawling hills and fields were painted a sultry violet.

Austin manages to incorporate the requisite elements of Texan pride while distinguishing itself from the flat plains of the state we drove through to reach it. There was a palpability to the distinct character of the region. Lone Star beer, H.E. Butt grocery stores, queso everywhere you go, taco trucks in the backs all the bars, incredible live country music, savvy linedancing old men. The culture was immersive, and having so much time there allowed us to get comfortable. It was hard to leave, but this journey must continue onwards.

- Anthony Mayes -

Portraits from Austin, TX

April 26, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

We spent over two weeks in Austin, Texas, crisscrossing the city repeatedly to stay with our various hosts and visit friends both old and new. It was the first city we stayed in where we really felt comfortable and established social connections beyond our previous network. We fell into a nice rhythm in this town and it was hard to leave, as it felt like we really lived here.

These are a selection of portraits I took during our adventures, from the heart of downtown Austin to the rural outskirts. The weather was beautiful, even the occasional thunderstorm, and the activities were endless. We went to barbeques and crawfish boils, rode horses and swam in swimming holes. Austin's laid back ease penetrated every facet of our experience, and the people we met were embodiments of it's balance of sophistication and Texan charm.

- Anthony Mayes -

Artist Perspective: Daniel

April 22, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

Selfie-Obsessed

My first 'incelfie' // Ted and Ziva // August 2014. — My first 'incelfie' // Ted and Ziva // August 2014.

One of the first themes of American Witness became immediately apparent in our string of visits to the National Parks of the southwest. Due to the popularity of these federally-protected wonders of the natural world, tourism is inextricably tied to the landscape. One phenomenon that we were drawn to was the idea of the "selfie". I began to see images of these people turn up in my photography, a type of image I had made in the past. We have started referring to these images by the term, "incelfie".

Being that this trip is primarily photographic, we are down to try anything with our cameras. The prevalence of selfie culture at the National Parks inspired us to play around with selfies and the incelfie, and look for it throughout America. In this series of images I look at how and why people photograph themselves. Placing this in the context of the American landscape is an exploration into cultural identity.

- Daniel Robbins -

Artist Perspective: Sean

April 20, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

As soon as our caravan crossed into Texas after a brief visit to New Mexico, a vast agricultural landscape presented itself. It was a welcome change, as we’d grown so accustomed to driving through the mountainous terrain of Utah and Colorado. Weathered grain silos and farming infrastructure stretched as far as the eye could see, and there was an impressive array of cloud formations that resembled oceanic patterns high in the sky.

For this series, I found that the passenger’s seat was the perfect place to photograph, given its wide perspective and windows, which served as a frame and reference point. I’d often spy an object of interest in the distance and start shooting away. By the time it had passed us by, I’d have a range of images to choose from. I’d rest the camera in my lap and wait, observing the road unfurl itself towards our destination of Austin.

Enjoy y’all!

- Sean Vranizan -

Artist Perspective: Anthony

April 11, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

This journey has led us down many paths. As we careen along highways through the expansive landscape of this country, the unknown has massively outweighed the predictable. Every day brings new characters and scenery, and it has been daunting to capture it all in a way that does it justice. We press onwards, ever onwards, in pursuit of the meaning of it all.

I have always been attracted to the simplicity of black and white images. Reducing our vibrant world to the subtle tones bracketed by the contrast of pure light and the absence of it imbues the image with a clarity that is more difficult to obtain with a color palette. It also nostalgically recalls a bygone era where color images were too complex to produce.

Geometry and symmetry have always fascinated me. By reproducing one image in different orientations and manipulating them in different ways, I am able to create complex abstractions out of natural and manmade creations alike. It's an experimentation I enjoy that brings new life to images that I might otherwise not consider for selection.

On this trip I have been making an effort to pay attention to details. A miniature train on a graffiti shop shelf in Phoenix. A rock spiral tucked behind Broken Arch that you have to climb precariously to get to. A wind spinner on the street in Taos. A ray of light catching a lantern just so on Roosevelt Row. A perfectly illuminated branch in Zion Canyon. I will keep hunting for the hidden treasures that surround us as this trip continues.

- Anthony Mayes -

Utah National Parks

April 3, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

We spent 3 days in 3 of our nation's most majestic national parks: Zion Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Arches. While our time may have been abbreviated, our appreciation for the natural beauty of the region cannot be overstated. We arrived at Zion at night, and descended into the shadowy canyon blind to the scale and magnitude of the rock walls. At sunrise we awoke and explored the park, appreciating the details brought out by the sunlight. Unlike the other sites we visited, Zion places you in the valley of the canyon, looking up at the massive rock formations with craned necks as the sun crested the valley.

After Zion, we packed up the van and headed to Bryce Canyon for the afternoon, climbing as high as 9000 feet to observe the endless landscapes surrounding it. That night we landed in Salt Lake City before departing in the morning for Arches near the town of Moab. We searched for campsites up and down the Colorado River, as it was the week of the Jeep Jamboree and the area was overrun with rowdy off road vehicles and families. We managed to find a spot along the riverbed, and spent the morning exploring the most celebrated of Utah's parks (Delicate Arch is on the state sign, as well as license plates across the state) before setting out towards Boulder, Colorado.

Grand Canyon

April 2, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

The Grand Canyon is certainly one of the most overwhelming sights to behold. Spanning 277 miles in Northern Arizona, we spent much of our time at just a sliver of it. It was easy to simply gaze out into the endless chasm, as if hypnotised by a siren's song. Immensely popular, the campgrounds were full and the visitor's center as busy as your local zoo. We walked along the Southern rim, occasionally jaunting down to a jutting cliff. Even just that little separation from the rim allowed you to experience the unfathomable depth of the crevasse. Sheer dropoffs thousands of feet down to the bottom caused by millions of years of erosion. Mother Nature truly is the world's greatest architect.

As the sun set on us we retreated to our campground and discussed the beauty of what we had beheld as we huddled around the campfire. In the morning, we sipped our morning coffee and admired the canyon's majesty one last time, before heading back to Scottsdale through the San Francisco Peaks and stopping for a Mama Burger in Flagstaff. Our journey took us from the canyon up to snowy peaks and back to the peaceful streets of Scottsdale. All in a day's work.

Arizona

March 26, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

We spent two solid weeks in Arizona, establishing a home base in Scottsdale at the apartment of Chelsea Robinson. She fed us and gave us our own room in exchange for the standard manslave package of cooking, cleaning, and designated driving. We went on a few adventures around the Phoenix area, hiking Piestewa Peak at sunrise and visiting the Roosevelt Row district of Phoenix in between our weekend excursions to Lake Havasu and the Grand Canyon.

The trail up to the top of Piestewa was carved almost entirely out of rock, and it was packed with early rising fitness junkie go getters trying to get some cardio in before work. Roosevelt Row was a couple blocks outside of Downtown Phoenix where a dense cluster of art galleries were situated. It's a miracle that this neighborhood exists due to all the graffiti and condition of some of the buildings. Thankfully it is well populated,,as lots of friendly artists going about their business in a neat little community.

Arizona certainly has it's own style. There is so much space in the desert. Streets are wide. Highways are wider. Homes are built horizontally, not vertically, and have massive front yards and back yards full of rocks and succulents. Most of the taller buildings are recently built, as the skyline of Phoenix is littered with mountains instead of skyscrapers. Almost every business is located in a mini mall. Cacti of all shapes and sizes appear in droves as you drive through the hot, flat wasteland. Motorcyclists don't have to wear helmets and they certainly do not recycle. We really enjoyed our time here. It was a great first step of the journey, and it's close enough that we will have to come back.

Lake Havasu

March 16, 2015 Modern Bay Studios

We spent March 13th - 15th in Lake Havasu City, AZ at the estate of Christine Thompson and her family (Gregg, Irene and Kimberly). It was her birthday weekend, and also Pi Day on Saturday, so we had dual cause for celebration. Situated at a widening of the Colorado river, this bro-topia is a mecca of powerboats and off-road vehicles, where the affluent agglomerate to get some sun, float on the lake and recharge their bro-teries.

We spent the days poolside, eating delicious Gregg-made pulled pork and chicken like true Americans. On Saturday, we meandered down to the riverbed and confused some local fishermen with our raucous exuberance. Sunsets were spent on the balcony or in the hot tub, blissfully enjoying Mother Nature's light show. The laughter and music echoed incessantly off into the desert. A perfect summer weekend in the middle of March.