Julie Blackmon's 'Midwest Materials' Photographs the American Suburb as Dreamlike Memory
In 2022, Radius Books released 'Midwest Materials,' the third monograph by photographer Julie Blackmon. This collection showcases staged images that delve into the imagined experiences of suburban life surrounding her hometown, Springfield, Missouri. With vibrant colors and carefully arranged compositions, the photographs evoke a dreamlike quality rather than serving as straightforward documentation. The title alludes to a photograph of children in front of 'MIDWEST MATERIALS CO.,' which art critic Leah Ollman interprets as a symbol of Blackmon's incorporation of local influences. The book emphasizes water as a source of leisure, featuring works such as 'River,' 'Pool,' 'Costco,' and 'New Chair,' reinforcing the artistic legacy of suburban America.
Key facts
- Julie Blackmon's 'Midwest Materials' is her third monograph, published in 2022 by Radius Books.
- The photographs were taken around her hometown of Springfield, Missouri.
- The book's title comes from a photograph of children playing in front of a building with a sign reading 'MIDWEST MATERIALS CO.'
- Art critic Leah Ollman wrote the foreword, interpreting the title as a metaphor for Blackmon's use of local people, places, and things.
- The series includes images of water, such as 'River' and 'Pool,' depicting summer leisure.
- Other images like 'Costco' and 'New Chair' show children in domestic settings, including a Costco parking lot and a FedEx delivery.
- Blackmon's work is represented by Haw Contemporary.
- The article is part of designboom's 'Modes of Habitation' chapter.
Entities
Artists
- Julie Blackmon
- Leah Ollman
- Malvina Reynolds
Institutions
- Radius Books
- Haw Contemporary
- designboom
Locations
- Springfield
- Missouri
- United States