www.seanhemmerle.com
Drone Zone
As the semester was winding down in May, Stacey Baker called while I was preparing for my last class of the year. The assignment for The New York Times Magazine was to photograph drones or “unmanned aerial vehicles” (UAV’s) in New Mexico at Holloman Air Base on the edge of the White Sands Missile … Read more
Enter The Dragon
I don’t really follow any form of astrology except at cocktail parties. On this end, the year of the rabbit was appropriately fruitful. Wishing you all a fortuitous end to the Mayan calendar, which is foretold to be a reset, and not a hard stop.
Independent Structures
The Industrial Center of the United States once stretched from Chicago to New York City. Built by the likes of Rockefeller, Morgan, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, Schwab, Gould and Ford in ruthless and grand fashion, their efforts catapulted a country left in ruin from civil war into a global super power. Affluence blossomed in cities like Gary, … Read more
The Law of Unexpected Consequences
Ten years ago, on a beautiful morning in September, my life changed profoundly. Much has been written about that day, and much has happened as a result of two planes crashing into the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Ten years later, it is as difficult for me to write about those events as … Read more
Democracy Now!
Amy Goodman is a national treasure. Her dictum, “Speak truth to power,” is practiced each day from the Democracy Now! studios in Manhattan. She asks tough questions, and does her homework tirelessly. Walking around the DN! offices, one notices immediately how studious the atmosphere is. A large bookshelf separates the kitchen from the intern bullpen, … Read more
Science Storms: Evidence Design
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago now hosts a 40 foot tornado, almost constantly churning, in the permanent exhibit, Science Storms. Revelers are treated to a host of natural phenomena that one can actually command with toggle switches, dials and other dynamic controls, much like scientists might in a labratory. While building and … Read more
Loving the Standard/High Line
The Standard Hotel squats muscularly above and over the High Line, a former abandoned stretch of elevated train tracks cutting vertically through Chelsea. With the development of this much anticipated New York City Park came many prestigious commissions on neighboring properties. Ennead created an instant landmark in the meatpacking district, a destination to see and … Read more
Williamsburg 2000
As group shows go, I am typically disinclined to participate, but this one looks to be pretty good. Curated by legendary Williamsburger Larry Walczak, the exhibit includes work by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, William Powhida, Komar and Melamid, Ward Shelley, Tom Broadbent, J. Fiber (Jane Fine with James Esber), Sante Scardillo, Patricia Smith, Fred Tomaselli, David Kramer, … Read more
Greenpoint Wastewater Treatment Plant
The largest wastewater treatment facility in New York City is also one of the City’s most striking properties. Massive digester eggs sparkle in the industrial landscape of northern Brooklyn. On assignment for TIME, we got the better part of a day to wander about the grounds with Jim Pynn, the plant superintendent. Jim showed us … Read more
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
Completed in 1993, the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca was designed by French Architect Michel Pinseau. It is the fifth largest mosque in the world and sports the tallest minaret. The intricate details etched into the mosque’s columns and arches invite visitors to stroll the grounds to get a closer look. I had three days … Read more
