w h i t e w a s h e d

I don't usually put "manips" or composites in this gallery... but, because this one was done as a double-exposure in camera... I'll let it slide.

I originally made this as an expression of my perception that cultural differences seemed to be rapidly fading away and "MTV-ized". It seemed each year I went to another country, the youth were gradually all basically looking the same... more or less the same music, same clothes, same gestures, etc. At first it gave me a sense of loss and I sorely missed seeing completely different sub-cultures from town to town and country to country. It was like someone was "white washing" a fence with until all the differences were blotted away.

Now, I realize none of these kids were ever very much different anyway. And, they all just responded to the same sort of stuff. I realized there was nothing that could be done about it and asked "who am I, to demand there remain a cultural difference?"

Still, I do miss all the texture difference communities used to have. Sure, there're still differences... but if you pay attention for long enough you'll notice trends all drifting into one big planetary culture. Hey! When that happens..... WTF would we need with different monetary systems? Or, different country names? Or, borders?........ Or, war.

Maybe it's not such a bad thing after all.