Drivebys

Shot as part of the Drivebys series, an 11,000-mile journey across America during the pandemic, this image was shot through the window of a 1968 Ford truck. We see the cowboy, the embodiment of an enduring form of American life.

Shot as part of the Drivebys series, an 11,000-mile journey across America during the pandemic, this image was shot in Livingston, Montana, towards the end of the trip of Brian Bowen Smith and his vintage Ford truck. This photograph features the landmark Empire Twins Theater, which originally opened in 1935. The streets are empty, and the screen reads, “We will be closed for a while,” as a representation of the uncertainty of the times.

Drawing on a classic art historical tension, this image juxtaposes threat and security. Drawing us in with the allure of danger, the framing of the image within the safety of a car dashboard lulls us into a feeling of safety.

This image exudes a laid-back, old-school glamour. Model Cindy Crawford, with her headscarf and sunglasses, embodies the timelessness that characterizes many of Brian’s subjects in Drivebys.