Traffic!

October 16, 2009–January 24, 2010
The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue

In early twenty-first century, Benny Chan photographed overhead views of Los Angeles freeways during the height of rush hour. Using a camera that he designed and manufactured exclusively for the series, Chan took pictures from high in the sky in helicopters and airplanes and rendered monumental-sized prints. With his almost omniscient perspective, Chan explored and shed light on the conundrum of traffic as a symptom of society being unable to keep pace with its own expansion, while at the same time rendering a serene beauty from the chaotic scene.

Presented in The Wolfsonian’s lobby, Traffic! complemented the major exhibition Styled for the Road: The Art of Automobile Design, 1908–1948.