Phoenix, Arizona by Richard Brouwer

About

about these pictures;

Most major cities have some specific characteristics that are emphasized by the local Bureau of Commerce. They often come up with the usual stuff such as a historical marker or a “Shopping & Dining” location. In Phoenix it is Sunshine and Golf. But to define or redefine a city from your own perspective – with and without prefab info – that’s always a challenge. I therefore searched for the poetry of the desolate – the opposite of playing golf in the sunshine.

Phoenix is – in my opinion – eerie, evocative, utterly fascinating and, quite a true place but it also has a somewhat overwhelming positive feeling about Christianity. These feelings – especially for Jesus, the main character in the bible — are mile wide, but often inch deep. An incredible number of people think he will actually return — not metaphorically but as a real person — (by the year 2050, 41% of Americans believe that Jesus Christ definitely (23%) or probably (18%) will have returned to earth.)

This concept of a returning Jesus inspired me a great deal on how to approach my subject matter. — The Second Coming of Christ — as a “normal” interference in daily life (because it is going to happen anyway) and therefore consequently sometimes somewhat “ordinary” visualized.

A returning Jesus however will have a big impact on his followers who seriously believe they will then be better off compared to this moment. This way of thinking; reality juxtaposed to fantasy, which also seems to be a reality to come, is a remarkable mixture. In a way it could be regarded as a mild form of (non)materialism “in the shape of time” – just like for example, a nice luxury car, as shown in the works.

Richard Brouwer 's current location:
The Hague , Netherlands

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