By Alana DiPlacido
Hometown Weekly Reporter
On Tuesday, April 1 Steven Edison came to the Sherborn Library to discuss his body of artwork: The Art of the Automobile.
Steven Edison began photographing cars almost 50 years ago; however, until recently, he thought that his artistic relationship with automobiles had only lasted seven years. Upon combing through 50 years worth of archives, Edison realized that photographing cars had been a part of his artistic expression since almost the very beginning of his career.
Edison was 14 the first time he was paid to take photos; however, it wouldn’t be until a few years later when he had graduated from Mass Art that he would properly begin his career as a photographer. Starting with architectural photography before exploring other industries such as fashion and corporate photography, Edison had been honing his eye for detail for quite some time before he took on the challenge of photographing cars as an artistic endeavor.
Looking at the archival quality prints hung on the walls of the Sherborn Public Library– the functionality of the car as a vehicle falls away in the viewer’s mind, allowing them to appreciate the true artistry of both the automobile’s design and Edison’s photography. Close up shots of hood caps and head lights feel more like elements of abstract art instead of displays of necessary functional features. Edison uses his camera to frame details of the car in such a way that the lines, colors, and shadows create art of their own– distinct from that of the car as an object.
Edison mused on the inspiration for this project, explaining that his love for industrial design and the constant evolution of cars is what made the automobile a perfect subject for his photography. However, Edison also commented on the emotional significance of cars in American life: “Romantic dates, road trips, listening to music… these are all experiences we have in cars and that is what makes automobiles so important to us.”
This exhibit will be housed in the Sherborn Library’s community room for their Spring exhibit.
