Stepmaster on the Streets

Reimagining the capture of motion and light, Laverty's Stepmaster on the Streets series fuses presence and process into a seamless visual narrative. Utilizing his distinctive scanning and panorama techniques, Laverty introduces a concept he refers to as “prolongance”—a continuous vantage point perspective that merges his physical movement with the evolving scene. Extending his exploration into the urban landscape, this method breaks from traditional photographic practices, positioning Laverty’s interaction with his environment as both subject and medium, thereby creating a dynamic, living image. The series brings the structural elements of city streets into focus, blending the organic flow of pedestrian movement with the rigid geometry of urban forms.

Laverty’s process involves a collaborative dialogue between the artist and his tools, where each step and shift in direction becomes part of the composition. The capture device stitches these actions together, creating a visual tapestry that reflects both the artist’s physical presence and the fleeting nature of the moment. As Laverty moves through the space, his capture device captures not isolated moments but a fluid continuum, weaving the temporal and spatial into a single, cohesive image. The interplay of natural light and shadow creates abstract, painterly forms that challenge conventional notions of time and presence, revealing the ephemeral beauty that often escapes our notice.

Laverty's capture device records the broader sweep of streets, sidewalks, and urban objects and detritus. Shadows cast by lampposts, benches, railings, and even Laverty's own figure become central to the narrative, their forms distorted and reconfigured into intricate patterns. These works capture the essence of the streetscape, where each step and each shift in light contribute to a continuous visual dialogue.

The series presents a compelling contrast to Laverty's earlier explorations of interior spaces. Stepmaster on the Streets opens up to the expansive, unpredictable rhythms of the street. Here, Laverty’s movements through the city’s sidewalks and pathways capture not only the shadows but also the textures and layers of urban life—cracked pavement, weathered surfaces, and the interplay of natural and artificial light.

Ultimately, Stepmaster on the Streets is a meditation on the intersection of movement, time, and the built environment. Laverty's work invites us to engage more deeply with our surroundings, to notice the ephemeral beauty in the shadows and shapes that inhabit our urban landscapes, and to find meaning in the everyday choreography of the streets.