Demographics, 1987/88

Demographics are statistical representations of the consumer landscape.
Demographics are the audience’s significant expression of preferences.
Demographics are a producer’s conception of an audience’s needs.

Demographics are abstract photographs. I made abstract photographs as an alternative to taking photographs “of” something. By reducing or removing the “something” and compelling the camera to look at more of a “nothing,” I thought I might checkmate the camera into revealing more of its interior life.

Demographics are made entirely in the camera through normal photographic procedures. The images are neither electronically generated nor enhanced in the darkroom.

Demographics are bourgeois abstractions.

From a statement accompanying exhibitions of the Demographics series.