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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Thirty: When walls speak and we listen > Abandoned gas station, Death Valley Junction, California, 2007
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19-FEB-2007

Abandoned gas station, Death Valley Junction, California, 2007

This faded sign is a reminder of DeathValley’s isolation. I felt the wear and tear on the sign tells a story about the wear and tear of the place. I include the uneven edge of the wall holding the message as context. The colors also tell a story – Death Valley is a uniquely American place. There is nothing quite like it anywhere in the world. The sign is painted in red and blue on a white background – the national colors.

Leica V-Lux 1
1/250s f/4.0 at 11.2mm iso100 full exif

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Phil Douglis02-May-2007 18:24
The "graphic propaganda" you see here rests largely in your own mind, Ceci. All I've done here is to spark your imagination to see it as a statement regarding the use of fossil fuels. I did not intend to propagandize here -- this is a travel photograph, purely and simply. However it is also expressive photography, and as I have often said in this cyberbook, the purpose of expressive photography is to stimulate the minds, emotions and imaginations of my viewers. You offer a special kind of context here, Ceci. You see this image as symbolizing the deadly struggle for control over oil, and the equally deadly toll its use takes on environment. And that is because you are an environmentalist, and see things through that prism. I am always happy to provoke thought, and if these are the thoughts I've provoked in you, I'm glad to have struck that spark.
Guest 02-May-2007 17:42
LAST GASP BEFORE DEATH? LAST GAS BEFORE DEATH (VALLEY)? Whichever. This is in my mind prophetic, since we are engaged in a huge debate about the continued use of fossil fuels, a practice that might spell the obliteration of mankind very shortly. The worn letters on the disintegrating sign are another way of saying "ashes to ashes, dust to dust." I love the worn surface, and wish for all of mankind that our oil addiction is soon as much of the past as this old sign. And that we embark upon clean alternative fuel and energy sources tomorrow, already! Great piece of graphic propaganda, Phil!
Phil Douglis04-Apr-2007 20:25
Shooting in Death Valley with you, Tim, Carol, Alex, and Yong, was like a mini-workshop. We all came away with a deeper understanding of how each artist, while using the same subject matter, can come away with a different story. It is more than just an interesting montage -- it is really the very essence of personal expression. Each of us has our own eye, our own purpose in mind, and we are free to add or subtract context, change our point of emphasis, and alter our perspective and interpretation according to our own wishes.
Iris Maybloom (irislm)04-Apr-2007 20:00
You, Carol, and I bring such different interpretations to this image. In yours the context is implied by the very nature of the sign; Carol's image more overtly communicates to us the sense of desolation and emptiness conveyed by the sign's bleak surroundings; and my image focuses on the Amargosa Opera House, showing that despite the feeling of abandonment and isolation communicated by this sign, DVJ is not only alive, but can even boast being a small oasis of culture! Again, our respective images make a very interesting montage.
Phil Douglis26-Mar-2007 02:30
Good point, Carol. This is an urgent message, made all the more poignant by the wear and tear on the sign. The bold approach was triggered by my desire to stress the condition of the wall itself. To stress the tiny cracks and discoloration, I had to move as close as possible.
Carol E Sandgren25-Mar-2007 19:34
Your interpretation of this shot is indeed quite bold. My own shot there included much more but the words were not as distinctive and important. Signage is important to us and especially the urgency that THIS sign conveys, we listen and heed closely.
Phil Douglis18-Mar-2007 18:27
Thanks, Jenene, for noting the symbolic role of the black void I left just to the right of the sign. It is a severe, uneven, unbalanced border -- designed to jar the viewer into the very thoughts you mention.
JSWaters18-Mar-2007 03:11
Including the edge of the wall serves to underscore the absolute finality of the message, Phil. It's dark and unknown beyond that edge. I also love the connection between the national colors and the concept of Death Valley as uniquely American. The whole idea of a 'death valley' is rather counterintuitive to our image as a land of dreams.
Jenene
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