Peter Essick

'777 Memorial Drive, Atlanta, GA' documentary photography, urban landscape

2023

This listing is for an unframed print. Framing options are available. Peter Essick is inspired by the work of Walker Evans, Ray Metzker, Ansel Adams and David Hockney. Peter Essic...

This listing is for an unframed print. Framing options are available. Peter Essick is inspired by the work of Walker Evans, Ray Metzker, Ansel Adams and David Hockney. Peter Essic...

This listing is for an unframed print. Framing options are available. Peter Essick is inspired by the work of Walker Evans, Ray Metzker, Ansel Adams and David Hockney. Peter Essic...

This listing is for an unframed print. Framing options are available. Peter Essick is inspired by the work of Walker Evans, Ray Metzker, Ansel Adams and David Hockney. Peter Essick is a photographer, author and drone pilot who specializes in nature and environmental themes. His latest series, "Memorial Drive," documents the thoroughfare that stretches between the Georgia State Capitol and the Confederate monument at Stone Mountain. Originally known as East Fair Street, Memorial Drive was one of the first roads in Atlanta, and connected the downtown commercial districts to the residential neighborhoods of East Lake and Kirkwood. In 1930, it was expanded all the way to Memorial Hall in Stone Mountain Park with the use of convict labor. The now 15-mile-long thoroughfare took on a new symbolic meaning to physically connect the State Capitol with the Confederate monument at Stone Mountain. According to an article in The Atlanta Constitution on February 2, 1930, Memorial Drive was “another step in the effort of Atlanta and Georgia to honor the memory of the heroes of the confederacy.” In the years since, Memorial Drive has acquired even more history. The street passes through communities of a wide diversity of people. These neighborhoods have seen cycles of development, economic decline, redevelopment and in some recent cases complete gentrification. People from all over the world as well as those from just across town have come to live and work on or near Memorial Drive. The street’s story is complex and of interest not only to developers and realtors, but also urban planners, sociologists, community activists, business owners, residents and even artists. Peter used a drone to take many of the photographs in the series, using a survey approach, he hopes to peak a viewers’ interest with the wide array of subjects. Named one of the forty most influential nature photographers in the world by Outdoor Photography...

This listing is for an unframed print. Framing options are available. Peter Essick is inspired by the work of Walker Evans, Ray Metzker, Ansel Adams and David Hockney. Peter Essic...

This listing is for an unframed print. Framing options are available. Peter Essick is inspired by the work of Walker Evans, Ray Metzker, Ansel Adams and David Hockney. Peter Essic...

17" x 22" edition of 7 + 2 AP $1,400 unframed 24" x 36" edition of 7 + 2 AP $2,800 unframed Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I photograph paper cutouts (from appropriated online images) of climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images are meant to disrupt the casual gaze, disarming the expectations of nature photography, leaving viewers disturbed and curious. Divergence of Birds (2017-current) A large-scale, long-term, multimedia conceptual project about the threat of species extinction on birds in North America . My current climate project, Divergence of Birds, takes inspiration from two texts: The Audubon Society’s “Birds and Climate Change Report” which projects that, by 2080, climate change will affect the range of habitat of over half of North American birds; and Phillip K. Dick’s 1968 novel, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” where electric versions of once-commonplace animals are so realistic that they fool even veterinarians. Divergence of Birds addresses the prospect that, one day, only simulacra of climate-impacted animals will be left. Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I’m photographing paper cutouts (from appropriated online photos) of the nearly 400 climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images disrupt the casual gaze, disarming expectations of nature photography leaving viewers disturbed and questioning. Audiences will then be invited, through interactive workshops, to participate in climate activism. The full project when completed will include over 400 photos representing the climate-threatened birds, video, soundscape, "memento mori" images in vintage photo cases...

17" x 22" edition of 7 + 2 AP $1,400 unframed 24" x 36" edition of 7 + 2 AP $2,800 unframed Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I photograph paper cutouts (from appropriated online images) of climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images are meant to disrupt the casual gaze, disarming the expectations of nature photography, leaving viewers disturbed and curious. Divergence of Birds (2017-current) A large-scale, long-term, multimedia conceptual project about the threat of species extinction on birds in North America . My current climate project, Divergence of Birds, takes inspiration from two texts: The Audubon Society’s “Birds and Climate Change Report” which projects that, by 2080, climate change will affect the range of habitat of over half of North American birds; and Phillip K. Dick’s 1968 novel, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” where electric versions of once-commonplace animals are so realistic that they fool even veterinarians. Divergence of Birds addresses the prospect that, one day, only simulacra of climate-impacted animals will be left. Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I’m photographing paper cutouts (from appropriated online photos) of the nearly 400 climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images disrupt the casual gaze, disarming expectations of nature photography leaving viewers disturbed and questioning. Audiences will then be invited, through interactive workshops, to participate in climate activism. The full project when completed will include over 400 photos representing the climate-threatened birds, video, soundscape, "memento mori" images in vintage photo cases...

17" x 22" edition of 7 + 2 AP $1,400 unframed 24" x 36" edition of 7 + 2 AP $2,800 unframed Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I photograph paper cutouts (from appropriated online images) of climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images are meant to disrupt the casual gaze, disarming the expectations of nature photography, leaving viewers disturbed and curious. Divergence of Birds (2017-current) A large-scale, long-term, multimedia conceptual project about the threat of species extinction on birds in North America . My current climate project, Divergence of Birds, takes inspiration from two texts: The Audubon Society’s “Birds and Climate Change Report” which projects that, by 2080, climate change will affect the range of habitat of over half of North American birds; and Phillip K. Dick’s 1968 novel, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” where electric versions of once-commonplace animals are so realistic that they fool even veterinarians. Divergence of Birds addresses the prospect that, one day, only simulacra of climate-impacted animals will be left. Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I’m photographing paper cutouts (from appropriated online photos) of the nearly 400 climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images disrupt the casual gaze, disarming expectations of nature photography leaving viewers disturbed and questioning. Audiences will then be invited, through interactive workshops, to participate in climate activism. The full project when completed will include over 400 photos representing the climate-threatened birds, video, soundscape, "memento mori" images in vintage photo cases...

17" x 22" edition of 7 + 2 AP $1,400 unframed 24" x 36" edition of 7 + 2 AP $2,800 unframed Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I photograph paper cutouts (from appropriated online images) of climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images are meant to disrupt the casual gaze, disarming the expectations of nature photography, leaving viewers disturbed and curious. Divergence of Birds (2017-current) A large-scale, long-term, multimedia conceptual project about the threat of species extinction on birds in North America . My current climate project, Divergence of Birds, takes inspiration from two texts: The Audubon Society’s “Birds and Climate Change Report” which projects that, by 2080, climate change will affect the range of habitat of over half of North American birds; and Phillip K. Dick’s 1968 novel, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” where electric versions of once-commonplace animals are so realistic that they fool even veterinarians. Divergence of Birds addresses the prospect that, one day, only simulacra of climate-impacted animals will be left. Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I’m photographing paper cutouts (from appropriated online photos) of the nearly 400 climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images disrupt the casual gaze, disarming expectations of nature photography leaving viewers disturbed and questioning. Audiences will then be invited, through interactive workshops, to participate in climate activism. The full project when completed will include over 400 photos representing the climate-threatened birds, video, soundscape, "memento mori" images in vintage photo cases...

17" x 22" edition of 7 + 2 AP $1,400 unframed 24" x 36" edition of 7 + 2 AP $2,800 unframed Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I photograph paper cutouts (from appropriated online images) of climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images are meant to disrupt the casual gaze, disarming the expectations of nature photography, leaving viewers disturbed and curious. Divergence of Birds (2017-current) A large-scale, long-term, multimedia conceptual project about the threat of species extinction on birds in North America . My current climate project, Divergence of Birds, takes inspiration from two texts: The Audubon Society’s “Birds and Climate Change Report” which projects that, by 2080, climate change will affect the range of habitat of over half of North American birds; and Phillip K. Dick’s 1968 novel, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” where electric versions of once-commonplace animals are so realistic that they fool even veterinarians. Divergence of Birds addresses the prospect that, one day, only simulacra of climate-impacted animals will be left. Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I’m photographing paper cutouts (from appropriated online photos) of the nearly 400 climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images disrupt the casual gaze, disarming expectations of nature photography leaving viewers disturbed and questioning. Audiences will then be invited, through interactive workshops, to participate in climate activism. The full project when completed will include over 400 photos representing the climate-threatened birds, video, soundscape, "memento mori" images in vintage photo cases...

17" x 22" edition of 7 + 2 AP $1,400 unframed 24" x 36" edition of 7 + 2 AP $2,800 unframed Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I photograph paper cutouts (from appropriated online images) of climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images are meant to disrupt the casual gaze, disarming the expectations of nature photography, leaving viewers disturbed and curious. Divergence of Birds (2017-current) A large-scale, long-term, multimedia conceptual project about the threat of species extinction on birds in North America . My current climate project, Divergence of Birds, takes inspiration from two texts: The Audubon Society’s “Birds and Climate Change Report” which projects that, by 2080, climate change will affect the range of habitat of over half of North American birds; and Phillip K. Dick’s 1968 novel, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” where electric versions of once-commonplace animals are so realistic that they fool even veterinarians. Divergence of Birds addresses the prospect that, one day, only simulacra of climate-impacted animals will be left. Combining the documentary style of my previous climate project, The Witness Tree, with my earlier narrative fictional approach, I’m photographing paper cutouts (from appropriated online photos) of the nearly 400 climate-threatened birds. I place the cutouts within the birds’ current habitats so that they look real, but upon inspection, reveal themselves to be photos within photos—the gaze within the gaze upon nature—as actual birds recede into marginal zones of survival. The images disrupt the casual gaze, disarming expectations of nature photography leaving viewers disturbed and questioning. Audiences will then be invited, through interactive workshops, to participate in climate activism. The full project when completed will include over 400 photos representing the climate-threatened birds, video, soundscape, "memento mori" images in vintage photo cases...