SALT RIVER/DEADMAN WASH/PARADISE VALLEY 2007
Phoenix, spawn of Los Angeles and big sister to burgeoning Las Vegas, is now the fifth largest incorporated city in the United States. In the years between 2000 and 2008, its larger metropolitan area expanded a stunning 32%, and the “Valley of The Sun” now supports four and a half million people, despite having a climate comparable to Riyadh or Baghdad. The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, the largest in the nation, sits 50 miles west and powers all those millions of air conditioners, cheaply. The Central Arizona Project, the largest and most expensive aqueduct system in the country, brings water 336 miles from the Colorado River to make the desert bloom, at least for now. Hometown of Republican icons Barry Goldwater and John McCain, amongst others, the area promises a certain kind of American dream. It offers a topography of unfettered capitalism, a geology of socioeconomic stratification, and an architecture of unapologetic hubris.
Hand-made book of 19 aerial images photographed by Michael Light in December 2007. Printed on Epson Enhanced Matte paper using archival Epson Ultrachrome 3 pigment inks, adhered with archival Gudy 831 double-sided pressure adhesive. Archival stability well exceeds c-print standards. Custom box by John DeMerritt Bookbinding, Emeryville, CA. Edition of 10, signed on rear cover.
00. COVER: Sun City, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
01. Deadman Wash, Carefree Highway and Central Arizona Project Looking Southeast, Peoria, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
02. Salt River, Granite River Dam and Arizona Canal and Central Arizona Project Intersection, Mesa, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
03. Salt River, Granite River Dam and Arizona Canal Looking South, Schlecht's Butte at Left, Mesa, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
04. Salt River, Schlecht's Butte, and The Central Arizona Project Looking Northwest, Mesa, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
05. Future Tract Homes Looking Southwest, Near Anthem, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
06. Exit 227 Looking Southwest Off Interstate 15, Anthem, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
07. Skunk Creek Wash Looking Southwest, Desert Hills, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
08. New Homes Looking Northeast, Anthem, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
09. Central Arizona Project and New Homes Looking Northwest, Sonoran Mountain Road, Peoria, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
10. Interchange of Highways 60 and 202 Looking West, Mesa, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
11. Trailer Park Communities Looking South, Phoenix, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
12. Villas of the Titans, Camelback Mountain Looking West, Scottsdale, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
13. The New Gilded Age, Camelback Mountain Looking Northwest, Scottsdale, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
14. Marriot "Mountain Shadows Resort" Looking Southwest, Camelback Beyond, Scottsdale, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
15. New Construction On East Porter Drive, Looking South, Camelback Mountain Beyond, Scottsdale, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
16. Doubletree La Posada Resort Looking Northwest, Squaw Peak At Left, Paradise Valley, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
17. East Upper Ridge Way and Red Ledge Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
18. East Antigua Drive and the Edge of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, Paradise Valley, AZ, 2007
From Salt River/Deadman Wash/Paradise Valley 12.07; artist's book, 35"x44", ed. 10
24" x 30" pigment print, ed. 5
40" x 50" pigment print, ed. 5
Salt River 2007