I began working with issues of mortality and demise well before September 11, 2001. The documenting of my mother’s death from cancer—as well as mountain climbing, martial arts, landscape photography, and film stunts, have all influenced my images.

In the past few years, I have staged jumps, leaps and falls from trees, porches, bridges, train trestles, stairways, ladders, roofs, mountains, volcanoes, water towers, fences, and billboards—without anyone ever mistaking my work for a representation of our national tragedy.

Like my other works, this most recent photo shoot was never intended to mimic the tragic events of September 11th.
The images shown in the news coverage are not my images and the quotes attributed to me are either not my words or placed completely out of context. It's all too sad that these misrepresentations have upset so many, however, I believe my work can speak honestly for itself.

These are the first images from that series entitled, "Life Goes On". These photographs, along with the other forms of documentation of the event, including e-mails, webblogs, film and the media's own accounts, are being developed into an exhibition tentatively called, "Ratings". The original intent of simple public involvement has led to a much larger issue to investigate: the role of corporate media, its politics and effects of control on the public.

The project is currently in the production phase. New images and materials will be added over the coming months. Please check back to monitor it's progression.

For more information about the role of the media and a definitive model for my intended exhibition, please check out Noam Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent."

For this particular body of images in the series, I have been fortunate to enlist the services of several accomplished artists from Chicago. Below you will find their names and links to their work and web sites. I am indeed grateful for their help. Enjoy...

PeterThompson-www.chicagomediaworks.com

Matt Siber-www.siberart.com

Jason Lazarus-www.jasonlazarus.com

Brian Ulrich-www.notifbutwhen.com

Jon Gitelson-www.thegit.net

Bryan Steiff-www.artnerd.net