Lee Friedlander’s America by Car: A Road Trip Through American Culture

Lee Friedlander’s America by Car isn’t just a collection of photographs; it’s a visual journey through the American landscape, as seen through the windshield of a car. It’s a deep dive into the mundane, yet captivating aspects of roadside America, revealing more about our culture than any glossy postcard ever could. The photographs, taken from 1993 to 2008, present a unique perspective, capturing reflections in car windows and offering an intimate, almost voyeuristic glimpse into the everyday lives unfolding along the highways and byways of the United States.

The idea for America by Car began when Friedlander, a renowned photographer, realized that the car itself was becoming a recurring element in his images. He observed that the windshield, a seemingly mundane piece of glass, served as a frame, constantly shifting and altering our view of the world. This realization sparked the concept of dedicating a whole series to that perspective. Friedlander, known for his candid and often un-staged photography, approached this series with the same straightforward, observational style. The series isn’t about grand vistas or glamorous destinations, but rather the ordinary landscapes, the everyday encounters, and the subtle nuances of a country seen from the inside of a car. America by Car was also a move away from portraiture and an inward look at himself from the confines of his car. He’d done “The Little Screens” and “Sticks and Stones” projects previously, all part of a continuum leading to this body of work. This series reflects an intimate engagement with the subject matter, which also shows the human element in the reflections and their relationship to American culture. This project wasn’t about the car itself; it was about the view through the car, the culture viewed through the car.

The Unique Perspective of America by Car

Friedlander’s lens captures the world through the often-dirty glass of car windows. It’s not the pristine, idealized image we’re accustomed to. Instead, it’s a raw, unfiltered look at America. This unique perspective offers a sense of realism and immediacy that’s both fascinating and thought-provoking. The photographs feature reflections, distortions, and unexpected juxtapositions of the outside world and the interior of the car. We see gas stations, billboards, diners, and seemingly ordinary streets all captured in this distinctive style, blurring the line between the subject and its context.

Capturing the Essence of American Roadside Culture

The book doesn’t present a romanticized version of the American road trip. Instead, it shows the everyday reality of it – the often-unremarkable and sometimes even unappealing sights encountered along the way. It’s a celebration of the ordinary, the forgotten, and the overlooked aspects of American life. America by Car focuses on the places where most people wouldn’t normally give a second glance, turning the commonplace into something extraordinary. What appears to be mundane is elevated to something extraordinary simply by way of how it’s framed. This book has less to do with cars themselves than with the way we perceive America while in them.

“Friedlander’s perspective in America by Car isn’t about sightseeing, it’s about seeing,” says Dr. Evelyn Reed, a professor of American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. “He challenges us to notice the details, the nuances, and the often-unseen aspects of our surroundings.”

Key Themes and Motifs in America by Car

Several recurring themes weave their way through America by Car:

• Reflection and Distortion: The photographs often feature reflections in the car windows, creating layered and sometimes abstract compositions.
• Framing and Perspective: The windshield acts as a frame, dictating how we see the world and forcing us to consider the role of perspective in shaping our understanding of the world.
• The Everyday and the Mundane: The series finds beauty and significance in ordinary settings, celebrating the overlooked aspects of American life.
• Juxtaposition and Contrast: The interplay between the interior of the car and the exterior landscape creates visual interest and highlights the contrast between the intimate and the public.
• Sense of Journey: While each photograph can stand alone, the series as a whole creates a sense of continuous travel, evoking the feeling of being on the road.

The book offers a powerful sense of being on a journey, both literally and metaphorically. It asks us to see familiar places in new ways, prompting a contemplation of the American landscape and our place within it. These concepts extend beyond visual design and into our modern social lives.

Understanding the Significance of the Series

Friedlander’s America by Car has been praised for its innovative approach to landscape photography. It goes beyond merely documenting the American landscape and provides a sociological commentary on car culture, mobility, and the relationship between personal space and public space. The book has gained critical acclaim for its unique perspective and insightful approach to the photographic medium.

“The brilliance of America by Car lies in its simplicity,” notes Michael Thompson, a photo critic for the New York Times. “Friedlander takes the ordinary and transforms it into the extraordinary through his unique lens and perspective.”

Why America by Car Remains Relevant Today

Even years after its initial publication, America by Car continues to resonate with readers and viewers. The work captures something timeless about the American experience, regardless of the exact timeframe. It prompts introspection about how we perceive our world and the stories we tell ourselves about it. The series acts as a reminder of the beauty and complexity of the world around us, even in the most mundane settings. It explores questions around what “American” means and how cars tie into that narrative.

• Reflection on American Identity: The series encourages us to consider our individual and collective identities in relationship to the physical landscape.
• Importance of Observation: America by Car emphasizes the importance of careful observation, teaching us to see the world with new eyes.
• Relevance of Everyday Details: The series demonstrates that there is inherent value and interest in even the most overlooked aspects of life.
• The Power of Photography: Friedlander’s work reminds us of the transformative power of photography and how it can shape our understanding of the world.
• Connecting with a Bygone Era: The photographs offer a glimpse into a specific period in American history, evoking feelings of nostalgia and prompting a comparison to modern society.

How to Experience America by Car

Experiencing America by Car is like going on a road trip without leaving your chair. The book is best viewed in its entirety, allowing the repetition of themes and motifs to build a sense of journey. Pay close attention to the framing, the reflections, and the subtle details in each photograph. Try to imagine what life was like in the places where the photos were taken, and notice the contrasts and juxtapositions between the different elements that come into play within each frame. It’s also beneficial to compare these scenes to your own experience on the road, reflecting on how the American landscape is both constant and constantly changing.

1. Find a Quiet Space: Choose a time and place where you can focus on the photographs without distractions.
2. Start at the Beginning: Begin with the first photograph and work your way through the book sequentially.
3. Observe Closely: Pay attention to the details, the composition, and the way light and shadow interact.
4. Look for Recurring Themes: Notice the motifs that appear throughout the series, such as reflections, framing, and juxtapositions.
5. Reflect on Your Own Experiences: Consider how the photographs resonate with your own experiences of traveling and seeing the world.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of America by Car

Lee Friedlander’s America by Car is more than just a book of photographs; it’s a powerful statement about seeing and experiencing the world. The series’ enduring appeal lies in its ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, prompting us to see the world with fresh eyes. The book encourages us to notice the details, the nuances, and the often-unseen aspects of our surroundings, ultimately enriching our understanding of American culture. America by Car is a timeless exploration of the American landscape, seen through a lens that’s both familiar and remarkably unique. It’s a book that continues to inspire, challenge, and provoke, reminding us of the beauty and complexity inherent in the everyday.

Related Resources and Further Exploration

• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): MoMA has several of Friedlander’s works in its collection, including photographs from America by Car.
• Aperture Foundation: Aperture has published a variety of Friedlander’s books and has additional resources on his work.
• Online Photography Forums: Online forums dedicated to photography can provide additional insight and discussion on Friedlander’s work.
• Interviews with Lee Friedlander: Various interviews with Friedlander provide firsthand insights into his motivations and his artistic approach.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What exactly is “America by Car” about?
“America by Car” is a photo series by Lee Friedlander that captures the American landscape through the frame of a car’s windshield. It focuses on the everyday and often overlooked sights found along the roadside of America. The project serves as a visual exploration of car culture and American identity.

2. When was “America by Car” photographed?
The photographs that comprise the series America by Car were taken between 1993 and 2008. This timeframe gives the collection a feeling of a cross-section of American society during a specific time. The series has become a time capsule as well as a piece of art.

3. What makes Friedlander’s approach to photography unique?
Friedlander is known for his candid style, often capturing subjects as he finds them without elaborate staging. His work is characterized by his attention to detail and a focus on the overlooked aspects of the American landscape. He finds beauty and complexity in the everyday.

4. Where can I find copies of “America by Car”?
Copies of the book can be found at major bookstores, museum shops, and online retailers like Amazon or Abebooks. It is also possible to check local libraries for availability and local used bookstores.

5. Does “America by Car” have any significance today?
The series continues to be relevant because it provides a unique perspective on the American landscape, encouraging viewers to think about how perspective shapes our view of the world. Its themes of mobility, identity, and observation remain relevant.

6. What kind of camera did Friedlander use for this series?
Lee Friedlander is known for using a 35mm Leica camera. This compact and mobile camera allowed him to capture candid moments while on the road. It’s also a camera known for its high quality and reliability.

7. Are there any other photographers who have taken a similar approach to America by Car?
While Friedlander’s perspective is unique, photographers like Robert Frank and Stephen Shore have also explored similar themes of the American landscape. But, none have done it quite the same way, from a moving car, over such an extended period.

8. How does “America by Car” fit into Friedlander’s broader body of work?
America by Car builds upon Friedlander’s interest in social landscapes and visual frameworks. It can be seen as a continuation of themes explored in his earlier series while adding a new layer of intimacy and observation. It serves as an introspective look as well as a look outwards.

9. What should I be looking for when reviewing these photographs?
Focus on the layers created by reflections, the way the car’s frame dictates your view, and the juxtaposition of objects and scenes. Look closely at how the mundane is turned into something meaningful and consider your own experience of travel and American society.