November 09, 2013 through December 03, 2013
Chris Bennett - “Along the Way”
The project, “Along the Way”, is a visual documentation of the modern day route of the Corps of Discovery led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark between 1803-1806. In 2010 and 2011 I visited and photographed over 30 historical sites and locations along the route in Washington and Oregon. In the summer of 2011 I followed along the entire route by car back to River Camp DuBois near St. Louis, Missouri, photographing historical sites as well as other places I discovered along the way.
Some of these places are pristine and untouched, perhaps exactly how the Corps of Discovery might have viewed them. Others have been affected by the contemporary American landscape, with houses, farms, Dams, factories and cities built up around it. These places might not be known for their historical significance, but capture the modern culture and embody the presence of the Corps of Discovery once passing through the area. Many of the small towns along the route feature restaurants, gift shops, gas stations and roadside attractions that reference the two explorers in some way.
Christopher Bennett is a photographer and photo educator living in Portland Oregon. His work experience includes the George Eastman House, the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops and Photo-eye Books & Gallery. Chris is the founder and Director of Newspace Center for Photography.
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