I wanted everyone to know about a cool new photography book that’s come out recently published by my friend and frequent collaborator, Jason Gray. In Mound City Chronicle, Gray’s purpose:

is more than a series of
images of St. Louis. It is testament to a path made through the
city at this moment; a path meant to investigate my place and
my impact here, and the history of those things. The
photographs tell the story of a journey that includes lost-andfound
subterranean lakes and caves, sites removed from
public view (due to security, secrecy or both), neighborhoods
with buildings crumbling in ruin or of stately grace, and the
people encountered, vibrant and varied. I am very much in the
photographs too. Mound City Chronicle is post documentary
work, perpetuated by my own decision making of where to
point and when to click—a journey with no clear destination
and many side roads. It is not a usual telling. This is important.
For just as the aboriginal mounds of “Mound City” are all but
gone, so will be many of the places and people photographed.
Like a dream, only their impressions will remain.

I was along for many of the adventures, particularly in the old lagering cellars and caves, and I have always been amazed at Gray’s ability to capture remote, difficult to access and forgotten spaces. It’s a great book and will give you a wonderfully different perspective on the City of St. Louis.

You can buy it in person at Spine Books in Benton Park or at this link.