Looking, and looking closely
~ Old. New. Worn. Shining. Bright. Faded. The Downtown Eastside is a visual banquet, in its sense of place, of history, of the present. These photos present an exploration of the imagery of the neighbourhood.
These photo collections attempt to contrast two very distinct views of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Above, there’s the macro view, which highlights the buildings, streets and alleys of the area. The steel and brick provide a static backdrop for the culture and politics of the area. At the same time, they are dynamic: They continue to be worn by age and wear the feelings of their inhabitants on their facades.
The second collection, the photos below, takes a microscopic look at the Downtown Eastside: If the buildings are a canvas, then these photos are the art. These photos try to reinforce the notion that the details, easily overlooked and disregarded, have the ability to best highlight the political and cultural nature of the Downtown Eastside.
