The Main Street Of America–Part III

Heading on in search of a rabbit. For miles before you could see it silhouettes of a rabbit with miles left appear a long the way. When you finally arrive in to a town conveniently named Jackrabbit you find your prise. A big bunny on a bill-board.

Before turning slightly off route to visit an Indian village on the bottom of a Grand Canyon. I stopped in one more ghost town. I pulled up next to the fence with a big DO NOT TRESSPASS sign bolted on to it. Had a quick look around haven’t seen anything really interesting so I decided to move on. But when I was driving away I see this big pillar with a cowboy waiving two guns in his hands. So I sad to myself why not. I stop the car put it in reverse and back up to the fence and stop just in-front of it. I get out of the car and just when I was about to casually snap away this big burly man comes rushing through the trailer doors. All fine until I noticed a gun, a freakin huge gun in his hand. Then he said to me in a thick southern accent. ‘’Do you know I was just about to shoot you?’’ And since I was totally caught off-guard all I could muster up was ‘’Really’’ Apparently some other folks have done that in the past and he wouldn’t let that happen to him again. Gun aside he turned out to be a nice guy and allowed me to snap away even told me about couple of nice spots along my way. I still wasn’t brave enough to take his portrait though. Oh the town name was Two Guns, go figure.

Click on a photo for a larger view.

Is this photo worth eating a bullet… I’ll let you be the judge of that.

The beginning of a nice 20km walk to the Havasupai Indians on the bottom of the Canyon.

My trusty companion Fido accompanied me from about half way all the way to the end. (And no that’s not his real name)

The Main Street Of America–Part II

Leaving Missouri the road takes you through most enchanting places that look like abandoned movie scenes straight from a thriller. You can find ghost towns all along the once famous route. And there is something about those places. They don’t offer much at first glance. But the more you explore and look at them the more unveiling they become. Their mystery is transformed in to some kind of strange beauty. From Oklahoma to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona mile after mile you become more and more attached to the road and the places around it. Magical Santa Fe with it’s Adobe style, two day mountain biking adventure in Taos, Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque and petrified wood forest in Arizona. And the road still goes on and on…

Click on a photo for a larger view.

The Main Street Of America–Part I

This is not going to be a detailed description of Route 66. It’s not going to be a geography lesson. It’s not going to be a history lesson either. Nor is it going to be a professional reportage of any kind. It is just a piece on a guy in a car with a desire to have an adventure along his explorations. For those of you who were hoping on getting a turn by turn guide… Well there’s plenty of information on the web and there’s a ton of books ready for your fingertips. I would start with wiki site.

I have left all my professional gear back at my base camp and continued with my digital compact and film camera. I didn’t want to be held down by my profession. I just wanted to have a drive, to have a road trip, to have fun. It is for that reason that is hard to explain what Route 66 is. It is an individual experience. A feeling only familiar to the ones who actually got in to a car and drove it. And it is also for that reason, that is almost pointless to try and put the trip in to words or even pictures. Each individual would and has experienced it differently. Seen different things on the same road. And at the end of the road discovered different things mainly about themselves.

This is my story, my feelings, my Mother Road…

Click on photo for a larger view.

KNCKT – The story begins…

KNCKT is a collaboration between FunnyFarm Media and andrazblaznik.com with ben.si

Early in 2011 we were presented with a challenge of creating a short film about boxing. We approached the story through the eyes of a boxer, training and mentally preparing himself for his next match. But we didn’t want to leave it just at that. That’s why we also prepared a dedicated website showcasing everything form the full movie, behind the scenes, background story and some more surprises.
Click on the photo below to enjoy the site and watch the trailer for a start. Full movie and behind the scenes to follow soon.

KNCKT it has to be 100% or 0%

Chicago–The Digital Files

Heading from New York I started my route in Chicago. Not just any route, but the mother of all of them. The Route 66. Couple of days prior to my arrival I managed to arrange and try yet another first for me. Couch surfing. Long ago I heard stories about this magical site where you can fix yourself a sleepover for a day or two with the locals. And the best part next to local knowledge is the fact that sleeping arrangements are free of charge. Shure you might have to sleep on the floor or a couch. If you’re really lucky you might even get a bed. You might share your resting place with another fellow traveller or even a house pet. But the experience you get in return is something different and new if not short of amazing. Such was my story. I stayed with a nice guy named Mox. And just like any good host he took me out on the first night. So strait to Oktoberfest we went. Oh did I mentioned the Fest was held inside a church where rock bands were playing loud music and bartenders were serving proper alcohol. Only in the States. But hey who am I to complain. So as they say when in Rome do as the Romans do I went along. From the beginning to the glorious end. There might have been some chocolate cake smearing all over our faces in the middle of our escapades. All I know I woke up with what can only be described as the mother of all hangovers. How appropriate. The rest of my short stay in the Windy City was spent redeeming my battered head and exploring the city. I mostly shot on film so most of the photos will follow later in the program. Here are some digital outtakes. Click on the photo for larger view.

 

The rise and the fall…

New York –The Digital Files

The Digital Files is a series of photos taken with my compact digital camera on my journey starting in Cuba, then traveling across the United States and Central America. With me I also carry a 80’s SLR packed with about 50+ rolls of film. The plan was to shoot digital for its quickness and web application. And shoot film… Well because it’s fun. There is something in having a camera with no autofocus, manual film cocking and no preview of your taken photo. Those of you who ever shot or are still shooting this way know what I’m on about. And for the rest there’s no point in trying to make you understand. It is what it is, a statement, a feeling, an experience. So what you are about to see in the next couple of weeks are digital snapshots which will later (when I return and develop and process all the film) be accompanied by photos taken on film.

New York is a magical city. Some people like it others will say it’s to crowded, to loud, to big, to… What I can say with certainty is this, it’s the type of city that will not leave you cold. You will either love it, or hate it. As for me it was love at first sight. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Ghosts of Havana

When darkness fills Havana’s streets shadows start to move and and reality mixes with fantasy…