Traces

Shortly after the 2016 election in America, which elected a president who challenged our long-standing ideals of democracy, I traveled to Athens. As I wandered through the ruins, I thought about how this is the birthplace of democracy.

The images that I made at the time, of weathered signs, support struts, and scaffolding, spoke to me of the fragility of democracy and reminded me how easily the guardrails that protect it can be broken.

At the Acropolis, the work of conserving and restoring the ruins is a continual and ongoing process. Democracy also needs constant vigilance and renewal as it confronts modern challenges.

Note: The images of the Acropolis are photographs of the information signs displayed at the site. They are not digitally altered.

The signs have weathered and degraded over time, creating an ethereal appearance. When I returned in 2024, the signs had been replaced.