Ann Arbor Serendipity
What’s the game plan for a molecular collision of artistry on a random Wednesday in Michigan?
In my case, it went like this:
-Start with an outdoor photography session with an artist.
-Observe and take photos of an artist laying down a one-of-a-kind work of art using chalks on the sidewalk.
-Engage with every person who stops to watch and ask questions.
-Involve these strangers in the process.
-Say yes to the young woman from overseas with an old Polaroid camera who asked to take our picture.
The net result? A photograph that I’ll treasure forever. But one I didn’t take.
An element of David Zinn’s chalk work is its physical impermanence. But that doesn’t mean his unique illustrations have no staying power. The viewers memory and experience give it a staying power that transcends physicality. What David does combines classic visual artistry with performance. The immeasurable amount of joy that it engenders is the icing on the cake.
I was in downtown Ann Arbor to observe and document his process with my camera.
However, a measure of magic snuck in and now I have a separate work of art that builds on what we were doing and elevates the session to unimagined heights.
The gift from the other photographer of a black an white Polaroid was really something. It is a masterpiece to me and has given me the kind of joy that only emerges from serendipity.
What a day!
About the author: I am Stephen Kennedy, an experienced photographer with more than 2500 completed sessions in all 50 US states.