April 14,1999
Meredith Herald
Campus Extras 11_
Documentary prize winners to present views from Appalachia
Press Release
Duke University News
Construction of an eight-
mile segment of highway
through the mountains of
Nonh Carolina has changed
much more than the physical
landscape in the area. In their
recent work, photographer
Rob Amberg and historian
Sam Gray have collected
compelling examples of the
many economic, social and
cultural changes affecting the
remote Appalachian commu
nities in the road’s path.
Winners of the 1998
Lange-Taylor Prize, Amberg
and Gray will discuss their
ongoing project. 1-26: Corri
dor of Change, on Thursday,
Apr. 15, at 8 p.m. at Duke
University’s Center for Doc
umentary Studies. The Center
presents the annual Lange-
Taylor award of SI0,000 to a
writer-photographer team
collaborating in the tradition
of acclaimed American pho
tographer Dorothea Lange
and Paul Taylor.
Amberg and Gray’s
endeavor to respectfully
record the impact of technol
ogy on the isolated folk cul
ture and the forces that are
slowly and permanently
altering it.
“Out of 40,000 miles of
highway in America, there’s
nothing unusual about these
eight,” said Amberg, “and
that’s why this project is crit
ical. We as a culture have
relinquished what is impor
tant to us eight miles at a
time.”
Corridor of Change
grounds, through photogra
phy and text, the complex
ramifications of a project
undertaken in the name of
progress. The effects, some
times quite subtle, reach deep
into the fabric of mountain
life, spawning mixed feelings
among local residents.
“There is a great deal of
sadness and loss, but moun
tain communities are also
very responsive to opportuni
ties and change,” said Gray.
“It is important, for future
communities facing similar
situations, that we make a
record of the various shades
of -reactions.”
The nature of Amberg and
Gray's collaboration is an
integral part of their work on
Corridor of Change. Both
longtime residents of the
region, they have learned to
follow each other’s leads. As
Gray explores the area
through its oral histories and
traditions, Amberg combs the
physical landscape, collect
ing objects from abandoned
homes and photographing
symbols of the changes the
road has brought.
“He’s connected to the area
in a different way than 1 am."
said Gray. “His photographs
give me a trail to follow; I
rely on them to guide me in
new directions.”
In turn, Gray’s intimate
historical and cultural knowl
edge allows Amberg a rich
context in which to ground
his photographs.
“Sam helps me interpret
the imagery of this area.
Once, while we were out at a
farmhouse which was being
destroyed for the road, Sam
commented on how long peo
ple must have lived on that
property. He pointed out the
lilac bush growing next to
what used to be the front
door. No one plants lilacs
anymore.”
The Center for Documen
tary Studies, established in
1989 with an endowment
from the Lyndhurst Founda
tion, promotes the creative
exploration of human experi
ences using photography, oral
history, film and video, radio
and narrative writing. The
Center supports documentary
work in various ways, engag
ing in teaching, documentary
projects, publishing, exhibi
tions and community pro
grams.
The Center for Documen
tary Studies is located at
1317 W, Pettigrew Street, off
Swift Avenue in Durham.
Gallery Hours are Monday
through Thursday. 9 a.m. -
7:30 p.m.. Friday 9 a.m. - 5
p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. - 4
p.m. For more information
about the Corridor of Change
presentation, please‘call 660-
3663.
Depression.
A flaw in chemistry,
not character.
Westaff announces College
Greens Scholarship program
We»iff, Inc., die Support Services leader. annt>iinces ii'> fir*-!
»tmial College Greens scholarship progrum. Ihc micrnational tdfimg
company will award more ihm $15,CK)t) in scht^lur.>liip& this year to out
standing Wustaff employees who are also students.
*'Wt are very excited about this progrstm,” Hrrtnch Mnnagcr Dave
Hutbm said. 'Tcmponry v>ork is a perfect fit tor those dttcndmgschool. It
provides & nexibte work :^hedule and Ihe opportunity t(> test-drive a vari-
of careers.” .. ‘ 7-•f'
Wetstaffwii) award a SI,000 scholanihip t*.) one employee in each of its
IS U.S. regions. . s ‘ ‘
"Our local region covcrs Wake County." Hutton said. * If you or some
one you know is a student whcj would like to earn money for college, we
eittourage you lo %’i.sit out Raleigh branch and llnd out oiore about West-
afTand its College Greens cebobr^ip progriun-''
In order (o be eligible tor the awanJ. applicants itiusit work 400 hours
bet«^e«n May 17,1999 and September 25.1999 and be enrolled fMn-time'
m ai accredited college. univMt.!ty or vocational Mrhuoi for the acadentie
year 199?-2000.
provides
induatriat ftad )i^ lech
CEMttpetitive buiktness in
operates more than 370
the United Siaies, Eurt^:
t^^KOximattly 270.000
of more than $670 ^ ^
Westa¥’s Kaleigh Office at 3$01 Baneti Drive, off of Six
Forks Road. For intormatioili^lfK Scho^liiip program or We.'»aff's ser
vices. contact David Hutton -u 781'-799| car visit Wcstaff’s web site at
www.westaff.coin. ,,
pjS^^nel. including oifice.
the demands of hi^y
,inf lihmi Riailcets. Westaff, which
.-trpn^use «id licensed offices ia
and Zealand, annually employs
d s3Siev«d fiscal 1998 system tcv-
ijj. •. . i.t.i' 11 i
Support
The College Fund.
Call 1-800-332-UNCF.
(JH The College Fimd/UNCF
CSvo A oiJAd Is ft tenilHe ibiog to waste.
for more irrforrrmtion call t.800-717-3111-
.•I NATIOUlAUIANaFOIIMSUIICH
ON SCHIZOMIEMIt AND DEPM SSIOM
Jafra
An international sidn care company
Want to supplement your income? Here’s an easy way...
1. Flexible hours
2. Enjoy meeting people
3. Be your own boss
If this sounds like something you want,
call Donna Hayes at 919-387-1385
or check out the Jafra website at www.jafra.com