In Church of Hardcore I explore the neglect of human emotions and human connections in an increasingly digital age.
In this series of photos taken at various international and local hardocre music shows, I wanted to showcase the gathering of music lovers as a spontaneous creation of community when the chains of technology are broken and people come together to share an experience. Shared human experiences are gradually being augmented by digital ones such as through Skype conferences, Google Hangouts, Live Streams and Facebook Groups. At hardcore shows, peoples' tethers to technology are broken - I see people headbanging in mosh pits, screaming at the skies, holding each other in tears. I wanted to document the human elements of hardcore shows - of both performers and audience - because I saw that it was a rare glimpse into the limits of human expression, connection between strangers, and wild emotional abandon.
On stage, the performers took on different personas. They smashed microphones into their heads, jumped into crowds of strangers and commanded their crowds like generals. Backstage they were just like anybody else - they ate M&Ms, had to feed their children, and wanted to know when the new Jordans would drop. This incongruity between their on-stage and off-stage personas further highglighted just how much these performers put into their shows. I wanted my works to showcase their dedication to their craft, the power of their music to move people, and the manic connection they share with their fans.
The hardcore music genre has always spoken to me because of how emotionally raw the music and performances are. I hope for my photos to be disarming and evocative for the viewer, so that even after the photo is forgotten, they remember the emotional experience they had viewing them.
