In Praise of Idleness

As much as I love New York City, I’ve come to appreciate what exists beyond its noise.

I am drawn to experiences outside the city. After four years of college in New England, I often find myself returning to the Northeast. I visit Mass friends and go on Hudson Valley hikes. I go to 9 am Norwalk Estate sales and watch the Maine stars at night. I love the crisp fall air, the decrepit, creaky buildings, and meeting timid farm animals. Much of my other work is bold and booming, reflecting my life in the city. It's bright, bustling, and flashy. This series is not that. It's mellow. There’s a lack of immediacy—a stillness. It’s more of a slow-growing orchestra of sounds, scents, and textures that builds each scene.

For the first time in my life, I’ve found a sustainable balance between work, social life, and personal growth. I have the privilege of being able to go on these trips and do so simply for the enjoyment of it. I go in with no expectations. My travels have helped me become more grounded and focused in my day-to-day life. I am able to bring a greater level of patience and understanding to others in my life, especially the families I work with at my day job.

Along with me on these travels is always a film camera. The analog dials and slow process help me really live in the moment and be more conscious of what I am lining up in front of my lens. Each work in this series was self-developed and printed, which allowed me to immerse myself fully in the entire process.

The series borrows its title from Bertrand Russell’s 1932 essay “In Praise of Idleness”, as well as a track by British math rock band TTNG. Russell suggests that personal development and societal improvements stem from having more free time in our lives, rather than from hard work, as traditional views may advocate. This idea resonates with the unassuming subject matter and unhurried process behind the creation of the images.