Urban Life Captured

The newest art exhibit at embraces a very popular tool: the iPhone.

“Backbeat” by Star Rush explores the shared duality of alienation and longing within contemporary life.

Sarah Maki, EdCC Visual Arts co-chair and faculty member, said she was drawn to the photographs because each image is so powerful, yet presented with such poetic ease.

“After seeing them for the first time, I knew others would have the same response,” Maki said.

Sixteen black-and-white images are on display in the EdCC College Café in Brier Hall. The work catches people in their most unassuming moments, thus capturing the true emotional essence of everyday life.

According to Maki, who is one of Rush’s friends, this is one of aspects that draws the artist to use the phone instead of a traditional camera. The unobtrusive iPhone allows Rush to take photos without interrupting her subjects.

Images of people moving through their urban landscape, buildings and cars are all printed and displayed traditionally in their own frames. Many are beautiful, yet brimming with a certain kind of sadness.

At first glance, passersby might not realize the mode through which they were created. Since the images are displayed like traditional photographs, it's not immediately obvious that they were taken with an iPhone.

“After reading the exhibit description, I imagine students will respond fondly with the awareness that beauty can be created from an ‘everyday object’ in the world around them," Maki said.

"Backbeat" is on display through April 15.