The Speed Project
the speed project
The Speed Project itself is an experience of endurance, and mine would be as well. I knew coming into TSP (The Speed Project) that it would take discipline not to overshoot. That the hours would add up quickly and so would the files, so I needed a way to keep myself in check.
I was and still am fascinated by how limitations can affect an artist's creativity and the resolve it takes to accept that an image was made, and there would be no second chance.
The concept was simple, and born out of inspiration.
I would only allow myself to select one image, for each hour from when the runners embarked, until the experience ended.
I would allow myself to photograph as much as I wanted, but there would be no opportunity to overshare.
One Image. Every Hour.
From Start to Finish.
However, with any photo project, it all starts with the best intentions, and by the 28 or 30th hour without any real sleep, I found myself driving to Las Vegas, weighing the cost/benefit of 6 hours of sleep, or six images. Ultimately I made my decision, and these hours spent recovering are now represented as contact sheets, gateways into the moments and visual representations of my selection process.
My project isn't perfect. There are flaws. There are also moments of beauty. Moments of silence. Moments of chaos. And personal moments for the participants, organizers, and myself.
All of it between LA and LV.
And as I look back on this project and on The Speed Project itself I truly understand what they mean when they say there are "No Spectators", and I know that if you've found yourself looking at these pages you can count on one thing;
You are participating.
M. Thurk
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