This Spring, the artists of Alt_ took up residence in Austin Town Hall to work as teaching artists for the Chicago Park District’s TRACE (Teens Re-Imagining Art, Community & Environment) program.
Every plan drastically changed when COVID-19 hit our community, leading us away from a hands-on project to the virtual and more introspective photography practice that we’re presenting here, called In the Cut. The title symbolizes the old school photography methods while also being a reference to the West Side of Chicago.
TRACE interns used this time to develop their photography skills learning the SOUL method; Subject, Object, Unique Perspective, and Location. Every week using Zoom, we met with our interns to discuss their work and the history of photography, and to introduce new techniques. All that was needed was a cell phone and internet access.
Our interns, Catherine Arroyo, Preleah Campbell, Danelise Comas, Paris Dority, and Darius Hazen have all used this mandated stay-at-home order to tell their stories. They were tasked with keeping with the seasonal theme, (RE)claiming their space and engaging in conversation with one another about life under this current climate.
With the generous help of Sixty Inches From Center and Marcus E. Davis from the Chicago Park District, we present to you, In the Cut with Catherine Arroyo, Preleah Campbell, Danelise Comas, Paris Dority, and Darius Hazen.
— Jordan Campbell and Jon Veal, Co-Founders of Alt_
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Post Script
The featured image is a compilation of photos from each photographer presented as part of In the Cut. From left to right, the photos are by Darius Hazen, Catherine Arroyo, Danelise Comas, Paris Dority, and Preleah Campbell.
