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Christopher Morris, a veteran Time magazine contract photographer, is probably best known for his photography of war and violent conflict over the past twenty years. A multi-award winner (including several World Press Photo awards, and the Robert Capa Gold Medal Award of the Overseas Press Club) he has reported extensively on the disintegration of former Yugoslavia, the Russian wars in Chechnya, and, more recently, the United States build-up to the war in Iraq. For the past two years he has been assigned to the White House where he used his unique access and perspective to document the changing face of America under the first Bush administration.
Morris has seen firsthand the effects of nationalism as it has torn countries apart, driving them to civil war. His images of his own country, taken at a variety of official events and locations, suggest a background of increased security, fear and a newfound passion for nationalism which, Morris believes, has characterised America after 9/11. Are the icons of the American state (eagle, flags, presidential seal) symbols of reassurance in an unstable world, or a sign of the emergence of an increasingly paranoid security state? What can you see?
Republican National Convention. New York City. September 2, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
U.S. Secret Service Agent during speech by President George W. Bush at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, June 16, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
Kristin Fontaine of Merrimack, N.H., clutches an American flag as she listens to President Bush deliver a speech during a rally in Manchester, N.H., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2002. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
U.S. President George W. Bush campaigns at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention. Cincinnati, Ohio. August 16, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
U.S. secret service agent during a speech By U.S. President George W. Bush at the New Hampshire Air National Guard, Army National Guard, reservists and their families at Pease Air National Guard Base in Portsmouth, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
Secret service patrol, Lexington, Ky., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
Secret Service Agent at the Republican Governors Association reception in Washington February 23, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
White House staff and security confer. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
Inside the tent that protects the president when he enters and exits his limo. Backstage at a Bush campaign stop in Traverse City, Michigan. August 16, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
Bush supporters at a campaign rally at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada. June 18, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
Cake found in the oval office of the White House during meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell . August 9, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
Bush supporters at a campaign rally at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada. June 18, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
Secret Service snipers atop a FedX truck, waiting for the U.S. President, at the Ft. Myers Airport. Ft. Myers, Florida. April 23, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
President George W. Bush campaigns in Hudson, Wisconsin as Secret Service agent peeks from behind large W. August 18, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
U.S. President George W. Bush, and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger during the benediction prayer at a victory 2004 dinner reception, in Santa Monica, California. August 12, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
American flag, during a Bush-Cheney 2004 fundraiser in Louisville, Kentucky. February 26, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
U.S. President George W. Bush speaks about the economy and taxes in Des Moines, Iowa, April 15, 2004. Photo by: Christopher Morris/VII.
O Say Can You See is published in print form in EI8HT magazine (available 15 November 2004). To preview this edition of the magazine, browse back issues online or subscribe to EI8HT, or visit www.foto8.com
More of Christopher Morris's work can be seen at: www.viiphoto.com
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