J. Bennett Fitts graduated with a B.F.A. from Art Center College of Design
in August 2003. He began his career as a skateboarder and skateboard photographer,
which initiated his intense focus on place: a set of stairs or curb became
more than simple objects, but tools for life. This idea of taking an object
created for one purpose and making it into something completely new is the
binding element of Fitts's photographs.
"While I've always been interested in landscape photography, I have never been drawn toward creating the heroic imagery. I have instead been drawn to the subtle and banal work of the new topograhics movement and photographers like Lewis Baltz and Robert Adams. The sense of quiet and isolation that pervades Baltz's work is a quality I bring to my own work. And yet I set out to achieve an aesthetic beauty that they were less interested in."
The "Golf" series (2004) documenting the public gold courses of Los Angeles at dusk, demonstrates Fitts' interest in the beauty and theatricality of the artificially lit courses. He wants the viewer with no preconceived notions or feelings for the game of golf itself to get a sense of quiet and isolation from the pictures, and to achieve an aesthetic beauty that will recontextualize the golf landscape.
Fitts has traveled over 20,000 miles from Arkansas to California in search of motel pools, some abandoned and decaying, others simply deserted for his most recent "Pool" series. Ironically, the empty pools fill the deserted spaces with a sense of nostalgia and beauty. Fitts was awarded first place in the category of Fine Art Landscape Photography at the International Photography Awards in 2004. PDN has recently written a feature article about him and Arthouse in Austin, TX, has selected his work for their annual "New American Talent" show. He resides in Pasadena.
"While I've always been interested in landscape photography, I have never been drawn toward creating the heroic imagery. I have instead been drawn to the subtle and banal work of the new topograhics movement and photographers like Lewis Baltz and Robert Adams. The sense of quiet and isolation that pervades Baltz's work is a quality I bring to my own work. And yet I set out to achieve an aesthetic beauty that they were less interested in."
The "Golf" series (2004) documenting the public gold courses of Los Angeles at dusk, demonstrates Fitts' interest in the beauty and theatricality of the artificially lit courses. He wants the viewer with no preconceived notions or feelings for the game of golf itself to get a sense of quiet and isolation from the pictures, and to achieve an aesthetic beauty that will recontextualize the golf landscape.
Fitts has traveled over 20,000 miles from Arkansas to California in search of motel pools, some abandoned and decaying, others simply deserted for his most recent "Pool" series. Ironically, the empty pools fill the deserted spaces with a sense of nostalgia and beauty. Fitts was awarded first place in the category of Fine Art Landscape Photography at the International Photography Awards in 2004. PDN has recently written a feature article about him and Arthouse in Austin, TX, has selected his work for their annual "New American Talent" show. He resides in Pasadena.
No Lifeguard On Duty 2003-2005 [view images]
Golf 2003-2004 [view images]