Waikiki Beach

Artist Statement: "The land of Hawaii is luxurious and idyllic. But past the wanderlust images, it is also very controversial. Its industrial growth destroys the historical records and spiritual places that have existed there for generations. In my most current body of work, The Invasive Species of the Built Environment, I use silver gelatin prints which consist of selected, man made spaces are removed to create a burnt and sometimes empty area. The use of a laser cutter to cut the structure from the landscape leaves a scar upon the image. The removed spaces aid in seeing what Hawaii would be like without these impositions. This image depicts the famous Waikiki, a man made beach. Waikiki sits on the south shore of Oahu and has a deep history in ancient Hawaiian culture and current traditions. In this image I chose not to laser etch out the man-made beach because of personal and cultural history to this place. For me, Waikiki represents the place where I caught my first wave, a place where I still surf today when I go back home. The beach also marked the finish line for the grueling 2.4 mile ocean swim of the Waikiki Rough Water that I would compete in from middle school to high school. This area also holds the history of ancient battles and the playgrounds of the ali’i, or chiefs. But this is also an area that has been seen in movies, television shows, commercials, and music videos. The landscape of Waikiki has changed and developed for over a century for the gains of Hollywood and businesses. Growing up in Hawaii, Waikiki was not what I consider to be paradise. Although I still surf at Waikiki, I still view this area as overbuilt, overpriced, and overcrowded." More information at: http://www.instagram.com/leah_schretenthaler