California photographer Hayley Eichenbaum’s new online exhibit, “The Mother Road,” takes its inspiration from the colors and architecture along Route 66.
Harriet Lloyd-Smith recently reached out to Eichenbaum for Wallpaper.com.; She found out Eichenbaum was inspired by cinema, especially the work of director Stanley Kubrick with settings.
Eichenbaum said she’s driven the length of Route 66 eight times in seven years, She particularly became drawn to the American Southwest:
‘As I slowly made my way along the oldest highway in America, I became attracted to its colourful architecture. It was pretty spectacular to view these structures among the drastically varying climates.’ […]
‘It also became the road that literally connected my mother and me when she was battling ovarian cancer. I would drive the route with my dog from LA to the Midwest, and back again, during her treatment. While I don’t focus much on my driving, there is a literality to the title The Mother Road.’ […]
‘The route presents a fading nostalgia that inspires me to document its ever-changing landscape. This part of American society is threatened by capitalism and mass chains, like everywhere else in the world. It’s disheartening to see our surroundings become more homogenous as a result.’
Eichenbaum says she plans a book of her work next year.
She also did an interview with VoyageLA.com last November.
In the meantime, more of her work can be seen at her Instagram account and Facebook.
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