“Picture Pages”
Recently, I was invited to participate in "Keep the Lights On: A Polyvocal Poetry Installation.” The undertaking was spearheaded by The Mercantile Library, as well as, current Cincinnati and Mercantile Library Poet Laureate, Yalie Saweda Kamara.
From the project website:
“This event will showcase the projections of 4 unique polyvocal poems and accompanying art crafted by Cincinnati's diverse creative community. These polyvocal poetry projections speak to the thoughts, musings, hopes, concerns, and dreams of the projects' writers and artists, and by extension, those of our city.”
I was asked by my friend, Wonder Brown, to provide some photographs that could accompany his words. Over some good drinks and good music one evening, we made the following selections from my catalog which spans all the way back to 2005—when I first started shooting at the age of 16. The photographs we selected were sometimes literal choices, but other times were picked because of the emotion they evoked or the backstories behind them. All in all, it was an interesting look back at nearly twenty years of images and the memories they called up.
On May 10, 2024, “Picture Pages” was projected at the OTR Stillhouse in the heart of the city along with several other pieces.
Thank you to Wonder, Yalie, The Mercantile Library, and all the other artists for allowing me to participate alongside you.
The Finished Piece:
Featured Photographs:
Exclusively scenes from Cincinnati, many of the images we selected came from my collections of “random” photographs. I loved that I finally had a “use” for some of them. Other images came from the stories I’ve been posting here since 2007.
One of the city’s iconic “yellow lamps” on Central Parkway.
2020.
Sixth St.
2017.
E. McMillan St. in Walnut Hills. The pictured building was a shuttered Kroger supermarket that’s since been demolished.
2018.
Still from Wonder Brown’s music video “March 15th.”
2021.
Downtown Cincinnati as seen from Newport, KY during the Home Run Derby event of the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. From the series: “Cincinnati & The 86th MLB ASG.”
2015.
12th St. in Over-The-Rhine.
2019.
Court St. during Asian Food Fest. 35mm.
2022.
Stills of Over-The-Rhine’s Ezzard Charles mural from Wonder Brown’s music video, “March 15th.”
2021.
Over-The-Rhine’s James Brown Mural during BLINK. The light work was done by friend, the incredibly talented, Kyle Eli Ebersole.
2022.
Church of the Immaculata atop Mt. Adams with St. Rose and the East End in the background.
2009.
Mural along Duck Creek Rd. in Evanston.
2018.
Eternal Flame at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center with the Cincinnati/Covington riverfront in the background.
2018.
Police helicopter and flag seen during a protest.
2016.
Former school and road work in the West End.
2023.
Main St. and Federal Building.
2017.
Police responding to a protest.
2016.
Former Davis Furniture Building. From: Fading Ads of Cincinnati.
2015.
The Cincinnati Gardens during demolition.
2018.
Oregon St. in Mt. Adams.
2022.
Over-The-Rhine intersection.
2022.
Carew Tower Observation Deck.
2017.
Over-The-Rhine parking lot.
2023.
Abandoned Burger King. From the series: “Postcards From The Black Lodge.”
2022.
The water-based Covington, KY restaurant known as “Jeff Ruby’s: The Waterfront.” After drifting away in 2011 and again 2014, the floating steakhouse with its pastel 80’s vibe was closed and towed elsewhere. These specific photographs were made for a story about the decline of river-based dining.
2013.
Walnut St in Over-The-Rhine.
2017.
Great American Tower and highway overpass.
2022.
Beneath Ft. Washington Way in Downtown Cincinnati.
2023.
Downtown Cincinnati alleyway.
2023.
Aftermath of “Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.”
2022.
Abandoned Cincinnati Subway tunnels.
Walnut St. in Downtown Cincinnati.
2018.
Demonstration on Fountain Square.
2020.
Kings Island amusement park employees wait for the 72x express/job connection bus in Downtown Cincinnati.
2018.
Downtown Cincinnati Greyhound station with the Times-Star building in the background.
2018.
FC Cincinnati supporters in “The Bailey” of Nippert Stadium.
2018.
Downtown Cincinnati skyscrapers framed between the walls of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. From the series: “Views of Cincinnati.”
2012.
Paul Brown Stadium on 35mm film.
2018.
Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade on Elm St. in Over-The-Rhine.
2019.
Downtown Cincinnati on 35mm film.
2021.
Hamilton County Justice Center in 2024 (first photo, digital) and 2018 (second and third photos, 35mm).
Protestors in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse.
2020.
Intersection of Sixth and Main Streets in Downtown Cincinnati.
2023.
Downtown Cincinnati apartment building. From the series: From the series: “Postcards From The Black Lodge.”
2022.
Southbank Shuttle bus and Fifth St. in Downtown Cincinnati on 35mm film.
2022.
Fourth and Vine Streets in Downtown Cincinnati.
2017.
Sawyer Point/Yeatmans Cove Park. From the series: “Views of Cincinnati.”
2012.
Memorial at Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati following the Fifth Third Bank office shooting. 35mm film.
2018.
Great American Ballpark lights.
2022.
Memorial in Over-The-Rhine. 35mm film.
2018.
Cincinnati skyline as seen from the Purple People Bridge. From the series: “Views of Cincinnati.”
2012.
Southbank Shuttle bus interior on 2nd St. From the series: “Views of Cincinnati.”
2012.
Great American Tower as seen from 12th and Sycamore in Over-The-Rhine. From the series: “Views of Cincinnati.”
2012.
Downtown Cincinnati as seen from Newport, Kentucky. From the series: “Views of Cincinnati.”
2012.
Since 2007, the content of this website (and its former life as Queen City Discovery) has been a huge labor of love.
If you’ve enjoyed stories like The Ghost Ship, abandoned amusement parks, the Cincinnati Subway, Fading Ads, or others over the years—might you consider showing some support for future projects?
