What makes an American person? Many people have recently been thinking about this question more profoundly. Robin de Puy, however, has thought about this question for a bit longer than the average person.
The Dutch photographer and filmmaker embarked a decade ago on an ambitious quest to capture the essence of American identity. Her new book, American, is a powerful counternarrative against oversimplified ideas of what it means today to be an American.
In 2015, she rode her motorcycle 8,000 miles across America. She explains, “I published my first book on the country If this is True and captured the people that I met.” “I laid the foundations for many of my connections, such as my relationship with Randy for example, during that trip.“ Randy was the title of her 2017 second book.
Negative perceptions
As time passed, she began to focus on broader themes. Robin says, “I observed that America’s image was becoming more negative. This contrasted greatly with my connections.” “I can understand it. I feel frustrated and even outraged when people talk about the politics of America. My love for those I met over the years was strong. Some of them even felt like family.
She felt the need to express her admiration and love for them. She says, “You cannot lump all Americans into one group.“ The project was born out of this idea. Who lives in America? When we say ‘the American,‘ who are we referring to?
Her approach has been organic and guided more by intuition than agenda. She explains, “I met people everywhere: in gas stations, supermarkets, streets, and motels. I feel an almost immediate desire to speak to someone when I see them. This gut feeling is my first reason.
She continues, “It’s then a question of understanding why I am drawn to someone.“ Everyone has a unique story. But which one resonates most with me? I believe we are always searching for recognition so as not to be ‘alone.‘ “At least, it’s the way I feel.”
By following this instinct, she’s captured stories as diverse as America itself: from the magic shop owner in Michigan still chasing miracles to a young biologist-in-the-making who believes in “killer cats“ and a Sikh family forging their American Dream in Muscoda, Wisconsin. Each encounter sheds light on the universal human experience in unusual personal contexts.
Creative Process
Robin’s approach is based on mutual respect and ethical consideration. She says, “I think it’s always about transparency and seeing people for who they really are.” “I cannot create anything beautiful or respectful unless the other person has trust in me. I think that they will only do that if they see and feel my genuine interest.”
Her commitment to authenticity is evident in her treatment of challenging themes. She acknowledges America’s struggles with healthcare access, economic inequality, and poverty, but she does not minimize her subjects’ circumstances.
She explains that people are often reduced to poverty when they are much more. In my work, I try to find a human element, something universal in which we can recognize ourselves.
Deeper understanding
Photographs of Americans have been used on billboards along Nevada Route 50, also known as the ‘loneliest road in America.
Robin says, “Normally, a photograph ends up in either a gallery or a museum, which is fantastic.” “But it’s also a place that many people don’t go.“ I was looking for a place where people could gather, like outside on the road. Route 50 is a beautiful road. Randy, one of my best friends, lives on this road. I visit it often. It seemed like a great metaphor to me to bring the people together through their pictures there.”
The project is more than just documentation. Robin hopes that her work will foster a deeper understanding of our current climate, which is characterized by quick judgments and polarised views. She says that if someone views one of her videos in a positive light, she hopes they will be more open-minded the next time they meet someone different.
America is more than a collection of photos and stories. It’s an invitation to view America with compassion and curiosity. Robin’s curation of intimate stories and moments reminds us that the American experience cannot be reduced to stereotypes or political divisions.
It’s more like a tapestry woven from the lives of individuals, who each contribute their threads to the larger story of what it is to be American in today’s world.