Sandra Nydegger

Living in New York City, I have always been attracted to the "other" America, the one reminiscent of Westerns I watched on television while growing up in Switzerland. The "East Coast Circuit" series focuses on masculine components of American sub-culture and man's desire to control the natural world. I do not aim to document glory but the primal undercurrent that connects humans to other animals.

Traveling from the Bronx, to Vermont and South New Jersey, I became fascinated with the violent nature of rodeos. I use a low-tech camera with no zoom lens, so every shot is seen at the distance of the naked eye. This forces me to get as close to the arena and bullpen as possible. In the blur of the action shot, animals and humans become symbols of a brief and frenzied battle between those trying to dominate and the forces of resistance.


Selected Shows:

2006 In America, Kerrigan-Campbell Art + Projects, New York, NY (February)

2005 Art View, City Museum of Washington D.C., curated by Margaret Bodell, Washington, D.C.
Art for Food, benefit for victims of hurricane Katrina, Kerrigan Campbell Art + Projects, New York, USA

2004 Sweet & Sour, Satvatore Ferragamo Gallery, curated by Blair Voltz- Clarke, New York, USA
Rhubarb-Rhubarb Festival Auction, Birmingham, UK
World Rehabilitation Fund Art Fest, New York, USA

2003 Halcyon Days, Kerrigan-Campbell Gallery, New York, USA
Artview, Carnegie Institution, Washington D.C. USA

2001 Photo.Soho, The Buhl Foundation, New York, USA (catalogue)
52 Artists We Like, The Wall Street Viewing Room, New York, USA

2000 Rodeo USA, E3 Gallery, New York, USA
100 Glimpses on Contemporary Photography, Argos Project, Galerie Toît du Monde, Vevey, CH
Art Walk New York, Pier 59 Studios, New York, USA

1999 BAM, Feigen Contemporary Gallery, New York, USA (catalogue)
Photo.Soho, The Buhl Foundation, New York, USA (catalogue)
Art Walk New York, The Puck Building, New York, USA

1998 Shoot the City-Lomo Live, CB'S 313 Gallery, New York, USA


Publications:

2005 Fulton Street Fish Market – Gatronomica, The Journal of Food & Culture
2004 Prison Rodeo - Mongrel Magazine, Dublin, Ireland
2003 East Coast Circuit - Photo Essay - The Brooklyn Rail, New York, USA
2002 Don´t Think Just Shoot - Booth-Clibborn Editions, London, UK
2001 Turn, Shake, Flip - Eyestorm Inc., New York, USA
2001 360 degrees - Picture Projects, New York, USA
1996 Industrial Williamsburg - Photo Essay - Breukelen Magazine, New York, USA


Award:

2003 Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts, New York, USA