Photography and Artist Statement by Victoria Meng, Copyright 2018
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October 2011. I could contain the world within 8 megapixels with my first point and shoot camera: a small purple Nikon CoolPix. I was off on a school trip and my parents wanted me to capture every moment.
After a week in Washington D.C., my new photo gallery was not quite what anyone had expected. Sure, I visited famed monuments and attractions, the pride of our nation. But, my artistic vision did quite not reflect that. 50 photos, for example, were dedicated to the White House lawn, or at least a squirrel on the White House Lawn.
At the time, my eccentric view of the city was definitely not borne out of genius, but rather attention deficit. However, I do believe it embodies an important sentiment. The idea, that once in awhile, as we go through the motions of our chaotic lives, we should stop and look around. If you have the time and a hint of humor, the streets of any city can be brimming with life, excitement, and indeed squirrels.
I began this project, wandering through some of Philadelphia’s most iconic neighborhoods and tourist attractions, looking for things that were out of the ordinary. Instead, I found among the kaleidoscopic streets of our city, something extraordinary. I found, that for perhaps the first time since I was a seventh grader in Washington D.C., I was truly seeing.
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About The Author: Victoria Meng is a Sophomore enrolled in the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2020. To access additional articles by Victoria Meng, click here: https://tonywardstudio.com/blog/victoria-meng-24-hours-philadelphia/