MODERN NOIR

Intimate portraits by Jason McKinsey

EDGE Gallery June 24 - July 10 2022

MODERN NOIR began as a series of photos inspired by a lyric from The Old '97s 1999 hit Crash on the Barrelhead. This song is about changing one's ways before it's too late, but there was one particular lyric which set the tone for this project.

You're gonna crash on the barrelhead, son
And do the walls know what you've done?
Do they listen in on you?
Do the walls know what you do?

It was that second line - do the walls know what you've done?  - which served as a prompt for the duration of this project. The series was initially intended to illustrate those private moments we have when we are burdened with negativity and self-doubt. Over the course of the project the series evolved to simply allow the subjects to be in their space, confronting whichever demons are most present in that moment.   

I chose not to glamorize the subjects and utilized cinematic-styled lighting design to accentuate the mood. Printing at 24" x 36" allows the audience to step within that space and recognize connections between themselves and the subject.                              

MODERN NOIR is scheduled to show in Lakewood CO at EDGE Gallery June 24 - July 10 2022. Address is 6501 W Colfax Ave, within the 40W Arts District.

There is an artist's talk scheduled for July 2 at 12:30 pm.