THANKS DAD

CHAPTER 3

In an effort to examine my own childhood initiation rituals, I returned after 35 years to two locations from my youth.

Against the backdrop of rural car culture and the transformative final days of childhood innocence, I reflect on power, vulnerability and generational expectations.

Themes of defiance, indulgent force and uncertainty appeared as I retraced the stirring moments of early development.

Memories became pictures alongside an emerging new identity.

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This year was my first back since the pandemic and I could sense a shift in the tone of the event and it’s participants. Whether it was relief or resignation, I found a larger and broader group of people less politically aggressive and a younger demographic ready to party. The cult like devotion to Trumpism appeared to have given ground to the new wave of cultural change that made this year the most diverse yet. A personal shift in identity was reflected in my experience. Less animosity more celebration.

PENNSYLVANIA, August 2022

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