“Specimens from North America’s Most Polluted River” explores both the New River and the common modes of information through which one comes to know the river.  The project presents scientific, journalistic and visual approaches of representation, questioning the hierarchical placement of each mode and its failure to deliver the ever sought after “truth,” or “whole story.”  The image component of the project was produced along the access points of the river.  The images, along with collected samples of the toxic river water are contained within specimen bottles.  The images connote referents of and around the river.  In a reversal of the photographic experience, the viewer looks through the river water to access the photographic representation of the referent.  In addition, the piece explores the use of the river as an immigrant crossing point, public and private space and the complexity of the river’s toxic state.  Each bottle includes a specimen label containing an appropriated quote from a variety of media sources.  Each “specimen” bottle is approximately 8.5”X4”X4” in size and sits on an individual wall shelf.

Southern California native Amanda Keller Konya received an MFA from Otis College of Art and Design, a BFA from California Institute of the Arts and an MA from California State University, Northridge.  Her practice is image based; she is dedicated to the investigation of the photographic medium, ideas about Photography and the Photographer him/herself.  In addition to a constant and critical evaluation of Photography and its continuing state of flux, she takes on the sociopolitical within her work addressing issues such as toxicity, school closures, land use and public/private space.  Keller Konya’s work has been exhibited regionally and internationally at a variety of cultural institutions including: The Houston Center for Photography, The Los Angeles International Airport and the Angkor Photography Festival in Siem Reap, Cambodia.  She holds Adjunct appointments at Long Beach City College, The Julia Dean Photography Workshops, Cerritos College and Loyola Marymount University in addition to her Santa Monica based studio practice.