To begin the year I will be sharing an image from an ongoing body of work. Over my last 3 years in Bensonhurst (South Brooklyn) I have familiarized myself with the neighborhoods visual landscape. Small 1-2 family homes, towering ancient apartment complexes, main streets packed with commerce in short buildings, and the quiet densely packed residential side streets. These side streets are typically lined with front lawns or patios. I became to appreciate the adornments homeowners would have on display. Reflecting on my own upbringing I realized living in apartment complexes the habitants identities are shielded by front doors in shared lobbies. I found the homes expressing huge personalities. Each patio and front lawn is an extension of ones identity. Each of these images lets the viewer tell stories of who may inhabit this space. Culturally Bensonhurst is an interesting case. Historically it is a predominantly European ie. Italian, Polish and Russian. Over the last 20-30 years there has been an influx of Chinese and Mexican immigrants moving to Bensonhurst. The neighborhood is international, everyone on the street looks different from one another. I have found that there are pockets of side streets that contain predominantly one culture. There are Italian blocks, Chinese blocks, Mexican blocks and the patio adornments reflect this. The displays vary according to culture, religion, economic status, and proclivity for design giving pedestrians a peer into their neighbors lives and personalities. These images give context to the cultural landscape that inhabits South Brooklyn while displaying quality of life, architecture and religion. Looking forward to slowly start sharing this work!