Tabitha Soren

Music often propels me through a new photo project.  Bonnie Prince Billy and Florence and the Machine played a big part in the process of shooting RUNNING over the past three years. Specifically, the lyrics to BPB’s “Only Someone Running” and FATM’s “Dog Days Are Over” felt like the two bookends of my series.   I realize it’d be cooler if I said staring at Gauguin is what rocked my world. But that’s just not the case.

 

Only someone running would run right into me

Unless that someone was someone free like me

There are things I will not do

I will even be mean and cruel

And I will not stay with you

Unless you give me all of yourself

– Bonnie Prince Billy, “Only Someone Running,” from SUPERWOLF

 

The dog days are over

The dog days are done

The horses are coming

So you better run

Run fast for your mother run fast for your father

Run for your children for your sisters and brothers

Leave all your love and your longing behind you

Can’t carry it with you if you want to survive

-Florence and the Machine, “ Dog Days Are Over,” from LUNGS

 

The songs and my pictures speak to desperation, doubt, being on the verge, starting over and finally, being ready.   My favorite RUNNING images visualize a rhythm that I hope the viewer can hear too.