The Architecture of Amusement is an ongoing series which captures architectural elements present in American amusement parks. It focuses on the highly abstracted shapes and garish colors present in the amusement park environment, including rollercoaster tracks, rides, concession stands, and the simulacrum architecture used to create an atmosphere of fun.
The concept of this series is relatively simple, but not as simple to execute well. I wanted to capture the sense of the bizarre that I personally feel in these types of constructed environments, but also a sense of lighthearted fun. The sinuous curves of the tracks provided ample subject matter for me to focus on, but it was only when I added the element of time that the series really started to come into focus. Shooting with longer exposure times meant that I was able to capture the sense of motion and speed…and ultimately, fear and exhilaration, that is an integral part of the amusement park experience. This took some work, as I realized that it wouldn’t be so easy to capture rollercoasters and rides in motion. Many takes were necessary before narrowing down the best captures which conveyed the feeling of actually participating in the ride along with the park visitors seen in these photos.
The Architecture of Amusement has been published in Marie Claire Italia and in the Corriere della Sera Style, Milan, Italy. The series was also awarded an honorable mention at the International Photography Awards in New York.