The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Variety

Media Credit: LESLEY ONSTOTT [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: LESLEY ONSTOTT Graphic artist Chase Lanier's work is inspired by both his small town roots and the more urban influence of Athens and the University. [Click to enlarge]

Editor's note: Every Wednesday, variety writer Katie Andrew will profile a different local artist. This is the fourth installment of the series.

It was the best of shots, it was the worst of shots.

If you were to look at a time line of photographer Chase Lanier's work, it would tell a tale of two cities.

Lanier, a senior from the bitty burg of Rutledge, draws inspiration from his small town roots as well as city life.

"Being from Rutledge, I look at the transition from a small town to a larger college community - how my life growing up is compared to what my life is now," Lanier said of his inspiration since moving to Athens.

"I grew up in a really small town, so I always did my own thing out in the woods. I don't care too much for the big city life."

Lanier began taking pictures in high school using the astonishing beauty he found in his own back yard.

"I did a lot of landscape and nature photography because I was a little bit awkward around people," he said. "I didn't care to shoot people because I felt like I was invading their personal space when I took pictures of them."

From there, his appreciation for attractive landscape and natural loveliness became clear more and more through his photos - until he moved to Athens.

"There was a change of ideas when I came to UGA from what was perceived as artistic and beautiful in a small town. In a college community, contemporary art is stressed more."

Lanier managed to alter his style of photography to fit the expectations of his teachers without losing the partiality to nature. Lanier's depiction of the modern metropolis is none too flattering.

"My photos of the city are a critique of the way consumerism has taken over our society," Lanier said. "There's a ton of logos and stuff crammed together just trying to get as much attention from the viewer as possible."

Lanier said although the landscape photography he took living in Rutledge might be "prettier" than his newer city photos, the more recent images are worth seeing.

"I wouldn't say [the city images] aren't enjoyable to look at - they're certainly interesting - but it might not be a place where the viewer wants to go," he said.

"With contemporary photography, it's not about a pretty picture to the viewer. It's about expressing an idea."

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