City Crossings Oli Kellett Cinematic Snapshots: British photographer Oli Kellett has traversed the globe, from the bustling streets of New York to the vibrant cityscape of Rio de Janeiro, capturing a seemingly mundane yet profound element of urban life: crosswalks. In his exhibition, “Waiting for a Sign,” Kellett transforms these everyday pedestrian crossings into cinematic scenes bathed in dramatic light. His series, titled “Cross Road Blues,” freezes moments of contemplation as individuals decide which direction to take, using the metaphor of a crosswalk to symbolize larger life decisions.
The large-scale images portray people standing at intersections, enveloped in a rare moment of stillness amid the chaotic rhythm of city life. Kellett expresses his fascination with the concept of stillness and contemplation, using crosswalks as a backdrop for individuals navigating life’s choices. The scenes are not staged but instead captured organically as Kellett roams various cities, seeking the perfect intersection where light, surroundings, and human presence align harmoniously.
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In one photograph, a street cleaner stands alone in a sliver of sunlight, contemplating a major road in Boston. In another, a diverse group of people, spanning different ages and orientations, basks in dappled light reflected off a building in Chicago, each person deciding their next move. Kellett’s exhibition is accompanied by his monograph, “Cross Road Blues,” presenting a comprehensive curation of the series from its inception in Los Angeles in 2016.
The project began with a desire to capture the political climate during the 2016 election, focusing on Hope Street in Downtown LA. However, as Kellett explored crosswalks across the United States, he discovered that the essence of the series shifted from politics to a celebration of individuality. The series concludes in Rio de Janeiro, where Kellett captured a man frozen in a pose reminiscent of John the Baptist, marking the end of this exploration of chance encounters and contemplative moments on city streets.
Kellett’s work, despite being rooted in contemporary urban landscapes, carries a timeless quality, reminiscent of sacred figures in historic religious paintings. As “Cross Road Blues” draws to a close, Kellett remains open to the uncertainties of his next project, embracing the unpredictability of walking out the door and discovering the unknown.