Stephen WILKES made two very similar photographies in terms of subject and composition, Coney Island Boardwalk and Santa Monica Pier, in the...
series: Day to Night, digital photography
By the very strong similarity between these two works (Santa Monica Pier and Coney Island Boardwalk), the artist creates a cultural unity in a huge country. The distance between these two points is equivalent to the distance between Fes in Moroc-co and Moscow in Russia. In these photos it is then possible to feel the geographical extent of American culture. In addition, each of these photos has its own interests. On Coney Island, there are two complementary atmospheres. The night festival is on one side, full of lights, capitals, where the grand wheel has a special place. The seaside pleasures are on the other side with the sun, people in swimsuits and sailing boats. In Santa Monica, on the other hand, there are contradictory atmospheres. On the right, still the beach, but on the left, an aquarium is in the foreground. No festive atmosphere or bright lights, two policemen arest someone, a quiet couple is sitting on a bench under a single spotlight in a deserted space.