'mega-churches have inspired thousands of Christian worshippers to gather within vast, postmodern architectural spaces across America. Megalithic in size, these corporate structures, converted Hilton hotels and restored theatres are transformed every Sunday into halls of prayer, with performative rituals and multimedia spectacles. most definitions of the mega-church require that a minimum of 2000 worshippers attend weekend services for the building to attain 'Mega Church' status.
Joe Johnson is specifically photographing the empty interior architecture and sanctuary spaces where worship is performed. he uses the descriptive power of photography to construct a personal vocabulary with which he can communicate what it is about a subject that interests him. Johnson tends to gravitate towards subjects that have inherent tension and mystery. with the Mega Churches project, an interesting poing of tension lies in a secular treatment of contemporary religious practice within Mega Churches.
this body of work attempts to reveal the mechanics of creating faith by capturing wires, computers, light bulbs and cords that are used to construct on-stage mysteries for the faithful. the rawness of the abandoned mega-space and the eerie familiarity of its commerical fixtures questions the intention and the business of faith in the 21st century.'
- YVI Magazine #4 Relgion and Rituals
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'i wouldn't say that i'm eccentric, but i woud say i'm a maximalist. while i can appreciate the beauty of a nice clean line, its not really what gets me going personally.' - Clare Press
Joe Johnson is specifically photographing the empty interior architecture and sanctuary spaces where worship is performed. he uses the descriptive power of photography to construct a personal vocabulary with which he can communicate what it is about a subject that interests him. Johnson tends to gravitate towards subjects that have inherent tension and mystery. with the Mega Churches project, an interesting poing of tension lies in a secular treatment of contemporary religious practice within Mega Churches.
this body of work attempts to reveal the mechanics of creating faith by capturing wires, computers, light bulbs and cords that are used to construct on-stage mysteries for the faithful. the rawness of the abandoned mega-space and the eerie familiarity of its commerical fixtures questions the intention and the business of faith in the 21st century.'
- YVI Magazine #4 Relgion and Rituals
XXXXXXXXXX
'i wouldn't say that i'm eccentric, but i woud say i'm a maximalist. while i can appreciate the beauty of a nice clean line, its not really what gets me going personally.' - Clare Press
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