Patricia Katchur
1998 - 2007
The 'ARIZONA here there then now' project spanned roughly nine years. During that time, I was living in New York City and yearly visiting my longtime friend Sharon Holnback in Arizona. We would take random road trips all over the state- the whole while taking photographs and delighting in eccentricities.
It was a time of unforeseen changes for me, on many levels. An eighteen year relationship was ending, World Trade Center / 9-11 attack occurred, and photography as I knew it began to shift from analog to digital. My life was trembling like an earthquake under my feet and somehow these desert jaunts helped me gain a solid footing.
In hindsight, I realize that 'ARIZONA here there then now' is a documentation of a bygone era, rapidly fading and times a'changing; a slow goodbye to an Arizona of yore. Much of what was photographed has disappeared - murals erased, buildings knocked down, businesses gone under, and deserts depleted of nature and planted instead with housing developments, strip mall and roads. I also recognized the parallel for the change occurring in my life. A fond farewell.
In late 2006, I moved back to Arizona after 14 years in New York City. The project was completed shortly thereafter. These are my last images of Arizona shot with film.
Notes
ARIZONA here there then now was photographed in the old-school analog tradition, using film (black & white, color and Polaroid positive / negative) and modified Dianas, Holgas, Nikon 35mm and a handmade camera. Included here is a small selection from the project.
Selections from ARIZONA here there then now
Solo exhibition, The Station, Oracle Arizona 2008
Art Rooms, Historic Hotel Congress, Tucson AZ 2010
Solo exhibition, Tucson International Airport, 2011-2012
Tucson, Arizona 2000Red Garter Horse | San Manuel, Arizona 2005Building and Cloud | Holbrook, Arizona 2003Old Sign on Building |
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Oracle, Arizona 2003Dwight with VW Van Triangle L Ranch | Miami, Arizona 2005Brown House with Cactus | South Tucson, Arizona 2003Sabor Rico Tacqueria |
Tucson, Arizona 2004Mustang Bar Old Nogales Highway | Galiuro Mountains, Arizona 2005Earl, Copper Creek Ghost Town | South Tucson, Arizona 2000Zapata Mural |
South Tucson, Arizona 2000Three Headed Mural | Miami, Arizona 2005Manufacturing Yellow Car | Santa Cruz River Valley Arizona 2006Tumacácori Mission |
Oracle, Arizona 2004Sharon Holback and Tree | Oracle, Arizona 2002Full Moon Tree Triangle L Ranch | Klondyke, Arizona 2005Car in Hillside with Cloud |
San Pedro Valley, Arizona 2005Desert Dirt Road | Tucson, Arizona 2005Dawne's House | Oracle, Arizona 2003Smiling Sharon Triangle L Ranch |
Oracle, Arizona 2002Observatory Biosphere II | Oracle, Arizona 2002Full Moon House Triangle L Ranch | Tucson, Arizona 2002Earl's Studio |
St. Johns, Arizona 2003John Wayne Mural | San Manuel, Arizona 2005Gordon's Supermarket | Superior, Arizona 2004Mission Cola Magma Hotel |
Willcox, Arizona 2005House #140 | Tucson, Arizona 2005Tree, Truck, Wall | North of Catalina, Arizona 2002Santa Catalina Mountains |
Rte. 177, Kearney, Arizona 2004Strip Mine | South Tucson, 2004Wrangler | Mammoth, Arizona 2004Horse Head over Door |
Galiuro Mountains, Arizona 2005Secret Cave View | Willcox, Arizona 2005Shadow & Clouds | Santa Catalina Mts., Arizona 2005Agaves back side of Mt. Lemmon |
Willcox Arizona, 2005Arizona Sunset Motel | Holbrook, Arizona 2003Old Motel | San Pedro Valley, Arizona 2005Christmas Trees and Mailbox |
Oracle, Arizona 2005Sunset Sharon Holnback Triangle L Ranch | Benson, Arizona 2005Riverside Inn | Mammoth, Arizona 2002Cocktail Lounge & Dancing Blue Front Inn |
Coolidge/Florence, Arizona 2004Cake Building Route 79 | Hayden/Winkelman, Arizona 2002Car, Flag, Tires Mining Town | Holbrook, Arizona 2003Dinosaur and Truck |
South Tucson, Arizona 2003Building Face | Clifton, Arizona 2003Pink House with Cypress | Mammoth, Arizona 2003Glamorous Ice Cream |
Winkelman, Arizona 2003Twin Trees | Willcox, Arizona 2005Mid-Century Motel | Superior, Arizona 2004Town of Superior |