Above: Selection of images visualizing the Housing Crisis in Vancouver, Canada. When basic needs become speculative commodities, those with wealth grow richer while those with less struggle to meet that need. Shot on Olympus E-M1 Mark II, 7-14mm F2.8 Pro.
“I worry about the next downturn, which isn’t imminent but also isn’t many years away. If you go out two or three years from now, there is significant risk of a downturn at a time that we have a political and social polarization that is very similar to the late-1930s period”
During the coming years I am embarking on a photo project to document the next slowdown in three phases: before, during and after. Currently there is real anger and frustration, yet unemployment has nearly bottomed out, GDP is normal, these are the best of times economically. When a shift comes to the economy and pressure is truly applied things will get much worse socially and politically.
This project intends to be known as the best visual representation of what happened during the next slowdown in America and her status as a global empire.
“The reality is that the global economy is slowing. You’ve got negative growth in Italy, Germany may just grow ... 1 percent this year (2019), [and] a slowdown in China. These are all things that we need to factor in.”
I have a dream to chase this story before it becomes a story. To provide future generations with a continuous narrative that will not describe what happened, but remind us how it felt. How it feels to surge forward during boom times forgetting lessons of the past, and how it feels when we are harshly reminded of those lessons.
Corey owns a $400k condo in Big Sky, Montana, the state’s most prestigious ski town, and manages 6 other rental properties. To make ends meet and grow his business he lives in a trailer during the winter outside of town. Shot on Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M.Zuiko 9-18mm.
The Process of Visualizing the Next Downturn
This project is divided into three phases: Before, During and After. The framework below will be applied to every phase with each micro section becoming a visual story bringing indicators and numbers to life. In many cases the same people and personal journeys will be followed during each phase of the project’s entirety.
Economic Indicators
Unemployment Rate
Private/Commercial Infrastructure Development
Consumer/Corporation debt expansion/contraction and willingness of borrowers to lend
Housing Market
Social Tensions
Wealth Gap
Populism
Conservative Version
Liberal Version
Socially Marginalized
Immigrants
Minorities
Protests
Weaponizing Social Media
Global Issues
Trade Tensions
China Striving for Increased Global Power
Economic Indicators
Indebting Emerging Markets
Foreign Denominated Debt of Emerging Markets
Ukraine
Brazil
Angola
Others
Eurozone Health
Monetary Policy
Social Pressures
Above: Warren and Kenneth show us what they are most proud of and what they are most ashamed of. Does wealth and financial stability alter our core feelings and identity, or are we more similar than we think? Following the 99% and the upper 1% over the coming years we will perhaps have a clearer insight. Shot on Olympus E-M1 Mark II, M.Zuiko 17mm F1.2 Pro.
Impact and Distribution
1) The exhaustive multi-year visual story will tour galleries and museums once completed.
2) 3 part (60 min each) Documentary Produced.
3) Photobook.
4) Interactive Virtual Reality Experience. Bringing viewers into the lives and experiences of all the people documented in the project.
Creative Collaboration
For a limited period I am establishing relationships with sponsors and funding partners in order to share this story in the most striking and visually memorable approach possible. If your personal or business’s mission aligns with the vision of the project and you have an interest in being apart of the process of storytelling, please reach out to discuss opportunities for us to collaborate together with this unique creative endeavour.
- Many thanks, Bradford Pope McArthur