Bryan Birks

Articles of Virtu is an ongoing project that explores the intimate relationship between the people of the American Midwest and the cars they own. Capturing the individuals, the land in which they live, and the interiors of their homes and garages, this series aims to showcase the unique identity and culture shaped by the automobile.

Old and young, the people I photograph all have thoughts and ideas about what will come of their lives and the things they own. The amount of time I spend with each person varies. It can be short, long, or over multiple encounters that span years. Conversations around legacy always unfold, and in doing so, just before we part ways, they always end with a goal of some sort, whether to fix the motor of the abandoned Riviera or possibly touch up the chipped paint. They take a small pause, look over the car one more time, and say, “Maybe one day.” We go our separate ways, the car is covered back up, and the only thing that changes is the sun’s position in the sky.

Website www.bryanbirks.com

Travis

Paris

Jim's Garage

Travis

Paris

Jim's Garage

New Athens

Ken's Garage

Bob

Trenton

Doug

Jason

Cemetery