Trump Campaign Rally Inspires Charlestown Photography Exhibition

CHARLESTOWN, MA — You may be familiar with the idea of politics as being a "blood sport," a "horse race" or even a "race to the bottom"; Somerville artist Gary Duehr sees something similar.

But instead of looking at the candidates battling it out in the center of the ring, he's turning his camera on the spectators themselves.

In "Arena," Duehr's soon-to-open photography exhibition, friends and family pose in the outfits and attitudes of the people who attend political events.

In an email, Duehr told Patch the project began last November, after attending a Donald Trump rally at the Tsongas Arena, in Lowell.

"I was struck by the intensity of the crowd, which reminded me of a George Wallace rally my father took me to in 1967 in Alabama," he wrote. "That night after Lowell, I dreamt about taking pictures of fans at political rallies."

Rather than photographing the spectators themselves, Duehr opted to pose people in those roles, the better to closely study their behaviors and costumes.

The results is a stark exploration of the less-photographed side of the media-saturated political battles. Duehr contrasts a black background with the reds, whites and blues of the American flag, putting the spotlight on his subjects' expressions and emotions.

In "Arena," he asks, "What are the faces of modern American politics?"

In the exhibition description, he writes:

Come election year, the fans fill hockey rinks and high school gyms, convention halls and state fair arenas. They follow one candidate or another, true believers with a dose of fanaticism. They pump the air, they chant "USA USA!," they grab selfies with their leader, they wave flags and stomp the floor and bellow through bullhorns.

Based on news photos of the crowds at campaign events, these images use models to recreate the fans/ behavior, isolating it under bright studio lights. Here, one or two at a time, we can examine their gestures and expressions as a social psychologist might.

We can survey their colorful getups, look them in the eye for a trace of craziness, and feel their mixture of exhilaration and earnestness. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and a little bit frightening."

The StoveFactory Gallery in Charlestown will showcase Duehr's "Arena" photographs Oct. 21-23. A reception is Sunday, Oct. 23, from 2-5 p.m., kicked off with the Dirty Water Brass Band's rendition of "Hail to the Chief."

The StoveFactory Gallery, at 523 Medford St. Gallery hours are 12-5 p.m., Friday through Sunday.

You can learn more about Duehr and see more from "Arena" here.

Photos courtesy Gary Duehr