Jordan Sanchez

“Me and Cora Steffenson, another senior in photo, had a class together freshman year.”

- Fun Fact about Jordan

Artist statement

I’ve lived in public housing for over 20 years. It’s my home. Throughout my life, I've noticed that people have a lot of preconceived ideas about public housing, not only about the people that reside there but also the environment that is held within it. I’ve had people tell me I’m from “the projects” and then assume that I must be a high school dropout, or someone uneducated. I’ve had classmates during high school that would tease me based on my home, or tease me based on the fact that I wasn't rich. Public housing is often thought of as an efficient and institutional space.

The housing complex named Whiskey Point is where I grew up and currently live. My home has always felt like a fleeting space. I’ve never cared to look at the concrete walls because they're all too familiar. After taking the time to stop and look I’ve recognized the richness of humanity that permeates every brick within the housing complex. I am fascinated by the way each individual sets up their space, claiming it.

In this project, I humanize the institutional space by showing traces, objects, or set-up spaces that are left by tenants. While observing the space, I also try to expose the concrete beneath, showing the decay of the buildings as well. While maintenance doesn't do much, the tenets within the complex try their best to make the space welcoming.  I challenge people's preconceived notions of public housing by humanizing the buildings. I do this by showing the spaces of my apartment complex that are filled with the essence of life. The spaces I’ve looked at during this time have been places that anyone can use, the spaces that have become communal. I’ve become curious about how people both reclaim space and transform it. While the tenets set up spaces for everyone, there is a lack of community, even though there are many areas for people to coexist. When creating my images I think about who leaves these traces of human life. I look at items that are forgotten, and wonder what stories are held within these objects. The entire housing complex is littered with these moments of humanity, it shows people can create a home even when the space seems unbecoming due to its institutional nature.

Biography

Boston, MA

Jordan Sanchez is a 22-year-old student currently enrolled at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, he is currently pursuing a bachelor of fine arts in photography. Jordan is interested in the intersection between domestic and institutional, he looks at texture, form, and light when creating images. Jordan enjoys the introspection of photography and the idea that images without people can still hold their presence. Jordan's work revolves around public housing and reflecting upon the degraded but cared-for spaces. 

Interview

Ingrid - Can you share how you embarked on your artistic journey, especially in photography? What or who sparked your interest in this field?

Jordan - It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment I was drawn to photography, but since I was young, I always wanted to create. I remember doing lots of origami in my younger years, and then I got interested in computers and video editing. Eventually, during middle school, I began making dumb movies with friends, and later, it transitioned to scriptwriting and cinematography in high school. In my junior year of high school, I decided to take a photography class. I think that was where I latched onto the idea of a single image. I began photographing on my grandfather's Canon 35mm. I shot mainly black and white and was shooting a lot of architecture and lighting. 

Ingrid - You're currently working on the "Whiskey Point" project, focusing on public housing. What drove you to start this project, and has its significance evolved for you over time?

Jordan - The initial drive for this project was that I’ve lived in public housing for so long. I’ve always been aware of it, and it's not a bad thing either. I’ve just always been hyper-aware of the space I was taking up, and now I want to look at the space and humanize it. As I’ve gotten older and learned more about the history of where I live, I began thinking about my home as more of a quota for housing, more than it was meant to be a cared-for, thoughtful space. Throughout Brookline’s history, there have been many attempts to block multifamily housing. I think over time, working on this project, my own perceptions of my home have changed. I’ve thought more about the people living there and the importance of being able to create our own spaces. 

Ingrid - How do you think photography can change public perceptions of government housing like Whiskey Point?

Jordan - I think that showing the space and the care of tenants, it can transform the space into something beyond institutional. Photography, within its own history, has a lot of images that have been able to change public perceptions of ideas, events, or just domestic living. One exhibition that comes to mind is the pleasures and terrors of domestic comfort. That exhibition shows the experience of domestic living and also the reality of the American dream. With Whisky Point, I want to revivify the spaces and transform them into something more than just institutionalized housing. 

Ingrid - In your view, what role does photography play in discussing and addressing social issues related to housing?

Jordan - Photography plays a major role in our society today, imagery is the main way people digest content. I think with people's media literacy today, they can look at the work and maybe some titles and figure out what the work is about. Throughout photographic history, there have always been photographers who challenge social norms. I use photography as the medium of choice because to an extent I think it's the best at capturing a moment in reality. By being able to capture the space and show it objectively for how it is, it can show that the space, although institutional, is home. 

Ingrid - I noticed objects, toys, and playground photos in much of your work. What significance do these items hold in your photography?

Jordan - Over time while I walk and look around the space I’ve noticed lots of toys and other various objects for children to play with, as well as steel rockers in the playgrounds. I think about how long I’ve been there, for nearly 20 years. Also while yes the playgrounds are catered for families with children, I also think about generations and the amount of youth that grow up in public housing, including myself. While some of these objects are forgotten about, some of them have been heavily loved and cared for but kids grow out of toys. I have a distinct memory of asking my mom if I could throw out my own toys.

Ingrid - Has photographing Whiskey Point changed how you view this place from your initial perception?

Jordan - Throughout photographing my own space and just the area around me I’ve grown more fond of it. I think partially in my teenage angst I was upset with institutions in general, but after being able to photograph other areas around the housing I’ve also grown to appreciate how others have created and claimed their own spaces outside. Also being able to see traces of people has always been important to me because those traces are like a materialization of history.

Ingrid - You mentioned before that public houses can be seen as not real homes. How do you hope your work influences the narrative surrounding places that are typically seen as not real homes? Do you hope to change this perspective? What do you want people to take away from the images that you are making?

Jordan - I hope my work can change or at least challenge that narrative by showing how the space is cared for. Many of the tenants take care of their spaces and create communal areas that others can use. Through my images, I also show the partial deterioration of the building. I do this to show the lack of care by the institution, in stark contrast to the tenderness left by tenants. The institution does maintenance sometimes, but mostly the tenants try their best to make the space seem welcoming. 

Ingrid - Can you share a particular moment or experience while photographing Whiskey Point that stood out to you?

Jordan - I remember one photograph: I had been shooting most of the day, then I went out again around 11 p.m. at night. It was very nice out, and I saw this lawn chair that looked very nice in the artificial light. I set up my tripod and began snapping a few images, then I remember being yelled at over some intercom or something. They yelled, asking what I was doing. I explained that I was just making images but wasn't sure if they could hear me. They then just said, “Don't worry, we’re always recording." That was probably one of the most strange interactions I’ve had. It was more strange because I thought no one ever watched the cameras. 

Ingrid - In this photo, you're the subject. Is exploring self-portraiture something you're drawn to, and what inspired you to create this particular image?

Jordan - Earlier before I was working on this project I used to do some self portraiture but I dont think It’s something I'd pursue in the future, for this image specifically I was more thinking about taking ownership over my space. I wanted to do an environmental portrait that also included my best friend. I took the image about an hour after waking up and in the image I am drinking my first cup of coffee for the day. I also wanted to show the objects that litter my space and show how my family has created their own home. 

Ingrid - Finally, what's next for you? Are there any similar projects or themes you're interested in exploring through your photography? 

Jordan - Next I’d like to start thinking more about the bureaucratic side of public housing and the system that isn't seen. Many of the buildings in public housing are owned by the same authority and I’d like to photograph that. Just the gears and inner workings of public housing. 

Ingrid - Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!