SR 140
Over the course of a year, I travelled California State Route 140 (SR-140) between Merced, and Mariposa, California regularly to visit my mom, who lives in the small town of Catheys Valley. Initially, my trips were marked by haste, a relentless push to reach my destination. However, as the days turned into weeks and months, I began to slow down, to truly immerse myself in the landscape that had been allowed to quickly speed by. Gradually, I discovered that this route possessed a unique personality, a rhythmic pulse that demanded my attention. The road called to me. I knew too well I had to stop and make these images or risk the subjects being gone the next time.
My newfound connection with SR-140 led me to slow down and watch more carefully, capturing the intricate details that shaped the character of this highway. With nothing more than my iPhone, I documented the fleeting moments that defined the road's essence. Often, I contemplated the notion of returning with a more sophisticated camera to create better quality images. Yet, there was an irresistible draw to the raw, unpolished aesthetic of the snapshots I produced with my phone – an aesthetic that harmonized perfectly with the narrative of countless commuters who traversed this highway etched into its asphalt who, like me, speed through focus on their destination rather than the journey.
