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Photo essay by Robert D. Hale / ©2010 Robert D. Hale.

By Robert D. Hale
Published: October  8, 2010

After a long and busy summer, I have much to relate, beginning with a long road-trip towards the end of July through five countries to reach Stockholm, Sweden. Resisting the impulse to create a mere travelogue of the experience, I chose instead to call on the photography gods to lead me in my quest for extraordinary images. So rather than stopping at every turn to photograph yet another fantastic landscape, I waited for those moments and places to present themselves. In Luxembourg the “gods” spoke for the first time in the form of several “contemplative” images. I was rewarded time and again during this remarkable journey with these extraordinary “contemplative” moments. 10 days later I’m back in Provence.

A week later I was off to Morocco; initially to satisfy my visa restriction, (US citizens are only allowed a 90 day visa in the EU.)  Not having a long-term visa, it  (Morocco) was the closest and least expensive destinations to visit, and return with a new 90 days. But after that first trip to Fes I was in love with this amazing country, and like someone in love; I only see the beauty, and forgives the flaws. Add my brown skin and facial features, I seem to be able to disappear, giving me an almost “invisible man” advantage in the hunt to capture images of people and places.

This adventure grew out of my two previous journeys to Morocco, where I had heard of a village high up in the Rif Mountains; a city that, until 1920, did not allow non-believers of Islam to enter. There are legends of non-muslims entering the city and have either been killed, or were never seen again. These stories, and images of “blue” buildings, passageways, and doors stoked my imagination, and inspired me to visit Chefchoauen.

Two days after entering Morocco via Tangier; having acclimated to the change from Europe to North Africa, and checked out the local art scene, with not much going on, primarily because of it being Ramadan.  I boarded a bus at the old port for a three hour ride to the “Blue” city. Arriving after a visually stunning trip and finally locating my “hotel” with help from a local, I find myself living in the heart of the medina wrapped in the sounds and smells of humanity. Open to whatever presented itself. After unpacking I quickly begin looking for magic, but more often, simply photographing the color blue. Two days later with my spirit filled with the sights and sounds of the city, and my camera filled with exceptional images, I left for the Atlantic coastal town of Asilah, just missing their annual international mural painting festival. In three more days I would be back in Europe, with a camera full of Treasure, and a new 90 days on my visa.

Returning to Provence after a week in Morocco, I began preparing for my exhibition “Water Abstracts”. This would be the first exhibition of this new “series” begun only a few months before. After the selection of the images, and printing and framing, suddenly the day of the reception was upon me. Did well, sold two and made some good contacts and received a lot of constructive feedback regarding the work. It was an excellent opening, over 350 people as well as the press. One of the visitors was the German artist Andreas Kock, who was opening at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in nearby Lacoste.

Returning the favor, I attended his reception at the school where we talked briefly about the genesis of his work, as well as what he wants for himself in the future. An engaging and mild-mannered man who trained as an architect, but preferred the world of fine art. He was also aware that seemingly everywhere these days, art is a hard sell.

This posting is coming from Los Angeles, my base for the next two months, while I continue to pursue my passions, visit friends, and try and make a little pocket change.