And in the latest news, the movie I wanted to make has been made. Or rather, it is being made. Filming is just wrapping up. I wanted to follow these guys around, perhaps a stalkumentary of a documentary (!/?) but I made a joke about them being French at Fiestas, and that was sadly the end of any real chance of engagement. Like filming, my fieldwork has wrapped up as well, and all that is left is the torturous work of writing. There will be a new chapter section soon. I have been spending my time creating a wikipedia entry for place ethnography in order to talk about this method in a UNM School of Architecture Summer Preservation Institute Course (Photographing the Built Environment) where I am guest lecturing. I will talk more about that in my next post. I have also started my summer farmer's market. But I am back to my primary professional focus, which is finishing my dissertation.
I hope to be forgiven for my hysterical sense of American humour (we know you are pretending to be Belgium but are really French, and zis is very clever-everybody loves ze Belgian--it wasn't even my joke, but I did think it was rather funny--the Belgians did not. Perhaps I should have offered a pile of curly golden crispy American freedom fries with that joke) I would love to have a conversation. What did you think of this place? The partnership with Nick Waplington ( I wrote about his photographic work none-to-kindly in this very research blog) might be an interesting place to engage in some productive dialogue. Or it might convince the Belgians that I am in fact a person who they are very glad to avoid.
I am taken with the title of the documentary. It is strikingly familiar, much like our favorite places, but odd, like coming upon a favorite place from a new road with different vistas. This film seems like a very serious endeavor, unlike many of my musings in this particular online place of research notes, methods, observations and other postings. I take them seriously, but I write more for dialogue with my small group of local supporters (hello there!!) than I do to be creative. Perhaps my research, musing and observations will come in handy and I will be allowed to contribute something useful to this project. We will see when I re-post this to the facebook page of one of the filmmakers. Here is a re-post of the film wordpress site, used without permission, but in the spirit of a creative commons endeavor (the logo with its nod to copyright, delights me). We do live in a magnificent place of global conversation, exchange and inspiration as we create the world where we live and the places that we love.
Truth or Consequences
A documentary about everyday American life in a desert town community. Welcome to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
Vimeo
Stills One
Follow us on Instagram to keep track of our journey!New Website
The Truth or Consequences website has been upgraded. Be sure to follow us here and on Facebook for the latest information and film updates or use our contact form to get in touch about any questions or comments you might have.Officially Confirmed!
Our team of four is leaving for Truth or Consequences on April 28th. Back in Belgium one month later, May 29!
Nick Waplington
We are proud to announce that Nick Waplington is now officially part of the Truth or Consequences film. He was a direct inspiration and we are honoured to have him on board. Visit Phaidon Press for more info about the book. More info about Nick and his work at http://www.nickwaplington.co.uk
