Name: Steve Dreiseszun
Medium: Digital Photography
Created in March 2010, this image was my contribution for the 26 Blocks project, Block "V" in Downtown Phoenix.
Tasked with telling the story of the "0/0" block of Phoenix, once considered our 'town square' and now part of the new CityScape project, I felt a good deal of responsibility to put personal opinions aside. However, I was refused access to the site while under construction, which led me to capture this image as an outsider trying to look in.
Finding a number of visual statements within the basic composition, I chose to add a few graphic elements that touch on the history and politics of this block. Looking back, I believe this is a metaphor for the identity crisis Phoenix continues to wrestle with over its "heart."
The countdown to Best of Phoenix continues! Last year, we profiled 100 Creatives who made a mark on the local arts scene. This year, we'll have 100 creative representations of Phoenix. No scope or requirement on medium or size -- we'll include photography, painting, sculpture, video, installation, literary, and more. What do you see when you Imagine PHX?
88. Sean Deckert's Ginae vs. the 12th Street Gang
87. Pete Petrisko's Admiral of Phoenix
86. Quincy Ross' Lone Skyscraper
85. Andrew Armstrong's Illustrated Cityscape
84. Thomas Schultz's Phoenix Artifact
83. Adrian Lesoing's N. Evergreen
82. Suzanne Falk's Kon Tiki Hotel
81. Lindz Lew's Bon Voyeur
80. Kevin Patterson's Phoenix Swamp Beast
79. Ramy Sidarous' Three Windows
78. Will Mejia's Orpheum Theatre
77. Steve Weiss' Portrait of Louis Lee
76. Larry Willis' Apparition on East McDowell
75. Claire Warden's Untitled No. 3
74. Randy Zucker's Dancing Saguaro
73. Robert Brandan Martinez's Medical Cannabis Tax Stamp
72. Edward Jensen's Phoenix Financial Center70. Mark Dudlik's Phoenix Rebound66. Eric Iwersen's The Saguaros Have Been Here the Longest
62. Carol Panaro-Smith and James Hajicek's Arc of Departure
61. A Military Parade in Phoenix (c. 1888)
61. A Military Parade in Phoenix (c. 1888)
59. Lisa Marie Sipe's Sweeping Succulent
58. Brad Armstrong's Phoenix Carnival
57. B. Spiderman's "... And I Never Did Get That Pony Either"
56. Colton Brock's 810 N. 4th St.
55. Melanie and Michelle Craven's Twin Cactus
54. 407 E Roosevelt St.
53. Betty Schlueter's "The Sonoran"
52. Saskia Jorda's "You are Here - Part I: Migration"
51. Tempe's Mill Avenue (c. 1930)
50. Michael and Kemper Goodwin's City Hall
49. Cornelius Keyes' Dust Storm Over Phoenix
48. Melissa McGurgan's Home Suite Home: PHX
47. Fred Tieken's Western Civilization
58. Brad Armstrong's Phoenix Carnival
57. B. Spiderman's "... And I Never Did Get That Pony Either"
56. Colton Brock's 810 N. 4th St.
55. Melanie and Michelle Craven's Twin Cactus
54. 407 E Roosevelt St.
53. Betty Schlueter's "The Sonoran"
52. Saskia Jorda's "You are Here - Part I: Migration"
51. Tempe's Mill Avenue (c. 1930)
50. Michael and Kemper Goodwin's City Hall
49. Cornelius Keyes' Dust Storm Over Phoenix
48. Melissa McGurgan's Home Suite Home: PHX
47. Fred Tieken's Western Civilization
46. Andy Brooks and Danny Stoeller's I CACTUS PHX
45. Brian Brook's Phoenix Arm
44. Kristin Heggli's Downtown Architecture
43. Jill Johnson's Downtown Is ...39. Sebastien Millon's "Phoenix. It's Fabulous."45. Brian Brook's Phoenix Arm
44. Kristin Heggli's Downtown Architecture
33. Jason Kernevich and Dustin Summers' The Valley of the Sun
32. Laura Spalding Best's "Tarnish No. 1"
32. Laura Spalding Best's "Tarnish No. 1"
And, hey! It's lunch time. Check out Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes for some foodie inspiration.
Have a suggestion for a Phoenix icon by a local creative? Leave it in the comments section or email [email protected]
Have a suggestion for a Phoenix icon by a local creative? Leave it in the comments section or email [email protected]