HARRY GRUYAERT On the road – L.A. to Las Vegas

“In the early 70s, I crossed the United States by car and discovered Las Vegas. I found the city totally absurd and insane, and I thought it could make an interesting feature for a magazine. My idea was to avoid the ob- vious spectacle of neon signs and the strip by night and shoot in harsh daylight to emphasize the senselessness of the place. I proposed the piece to US Geo, which was then a rival to National Geographic, and they commissioned me to do it.

I flew from Paris to Los Angeles and started shooting when I landed. For me, the city was full of cinematographic references. I also had in mind pictures by Bruce Davidson and paintings by Edward Hopper that express an utter feeling of loneliness and isolation. On the drive north- east to Las Vegas, there were all sorts of visually exciting architectural elements – gas stations, motels, highways and endless cars – which proved great subjects. Las Vegas was a treasure trove of malls, pools, and casinos. I was fascinated by the garish colors, tacky posters and manic avaricethat pervades a city totally devoted to the worship of the ‘Dollar God’. But what struck me most was the attitude of the people I encountered. In a place designed entirely for entertainment, they never seemed to have fun. It was infinitely sad.

Unfortunately, the magazine ceased publication before my images could come out. Much later, they appeared in East/West, published by Textuel, and a wider selection is now presented in this DVD, with an original soundtrack by Tuur Florizoone.”

Harry Gruyaert

Artworks online: click here