american beauty

April 10, 2003 6:24 PM

photos from mid-america | a reminder of what i like about the ol' usa [via newstoday]
posted by specialk420 (11 comments total)

i was just kinda sad to see that there were no comments on these photos. so my comment will rest here, lonely, like the feeling of the photos.
posted by ArcAm at 9:33 PM on April 10, 2003

Lovely - thanks, specialk!

ArcAm: I think the problem was that the website wasn't loading properly before - I only got through now and I've been trying ever since special posted. Shame, that.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 10:10 PM on April 10, 2003

I like this link.
posted by Potsy at 10:27 PM on April 10, 2003

very edward hopper, nice.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 10:34 PM on April 10, 2003

im glad you guys liked the link - it was too good to keep to myself. kind of patriotic in a sad non flag waving way.

this guy updated today too. similar but very different

fyi. the new Frontline on the North Korea issue tonight was excellent.
posted by specialk420 at 10:51 PM on April 10, 2003

I like this too. Somehow, though, the photography (or the presentation of it) leaves me feeling a bit flat. I've either seen a similar style elsewhere or its just my own feeling when viewing similar scenes live that can not be matched. I don't know...

One question though Specialk: when you say this is what you like about the ol' USA, what exactly do you mean by that? (Just curious mind you -- wondering why I like these things myself and what it says about how I feel about my country in a contemporary view.)
posted by Dick Paris at 11:15 PM on April 10, 2003

[this is good]. Thanks :)
posted by plep at 11:43 PM on April 10, 2003

Nice photos. Thanks.
posted by hama7 at 12:25 AM on April 11, 2003

what exactly do you mean by that?

hmmm. the usa i remember from road trips as a hippie kid in the seventies?
posted by specialk420 at 8:05 AM on April 11, 2003

It all reminds me of Hopper, and also David Lynch (who I think has been heavily influenced by Hopper).

The one of the red arrow on a brick wall particularly gave me Lynchian chills.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 11:49 AM on April 17, 2003

Every piece of Americana here in Seattle has just about disappeared: the Doghouse is long gone, the Twin Teepees torn down--at least the Hat 'n Boots is being saved. Elvis topped off his tank there during the filming of It Happened At The World's Fair. And we still have the Elephant Car Wash and Tacoma still has the Java Jive.
posted by y2karl at 2:07 PM on April 17, 2003