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Estávamos em Maio de 2007 quando Steve Schofield publicou “Land of the Free“, um trabalho fotográfico extraordinariamente mais incisivo do que uma primeira abordagem pode deixar parecer.

O trabalho, cujo título remete obrigatoriamente para o The Star-Spangled Banner, para a terra dos livres e para o lar dos valentes, encabeça brilhantemente uma forma crítica de análise à política externa norte-americana – nessa data entregue à responsabilidade de George W. Bush – e à invasão do Iraque.

“Steve’s interest lies in how American culture is digested by his subjects and is integrated into British life. He depicts fans of American films and TV shows. Within the images, the 37-year-old shows people in their own homes and environments, wearing costumes they may wear to attend special events with other like-minded individuals such as cowboys, Elvis impersonators and Sci-fi fans.” in “Capturing American Culture in British Homes”

Hoje, um dia depois do anúncio do envio de mais 30000 homens para o combate armado do Afeganistão, quero deixar-lhe a sugestão de conhecer ou renovar o seu interesse pelo trabalho de Steve Schofield.

“My practice is concerned with exploring the fascination that the British public has with American popular culture and the sub-cultural world of fandom. In the images, I have shown people in their own homes and environments wearing costumes that they would be dressed in to attend events with other like-minded individuals. It seeks to offer a glimpse into seemingly ordinary lives of my subjects and allows the private to become public. The work hints at the depth of people’s fantasies and the methods they employ to adopt this culture as part of their own lifestyle as a means of escapism.”