Materiality

For as long as automobiles have existed, they have reflected the culture of their

times in their design and manufacture. They are impeccable cultural artifacts that

give us great insight into how the social priorities of their respective times affected

urban and automotive design. As times change, however, so do cultures and we can

see this reflected in contemporary design, most notably, in the automotive sector. In

certain corners of our cities, remnants of an era dominated by the automobile can be

seen in the slowly corroding shells of classic automobiles.

I have always been drawn to the old and the discarded in my work, seeking beauty in objects overlooked or those which have become relics. Now left to rust and decay, these vehicles embody

the mid-century prioritization of a car-centric and commuter-focused urban design

ideal that washed over North America in the ’50s and would eventually shape our

cities into sprawling networks of highways and suburban enclaves. The broken

headlights, faded paint, and patches of rust tell stories of a time when cars

symbolized progress and prosperity. However, as time has passed public perception

of the automobile has shifted from a symbol of opportunity and freedom to an

emblem of urban challenges, environmental concerns, and the changing values of

society.

Through my lens, I aim to capture the character of these aging vehicles and

the evolving landscape that engulfs them. I aim for the documentation of these

automotive relics to serve as a visual elegy, honouring the essence of an era when

automobiles reigned supreme while underscoring the shifting paradigms of our

modern world.