Trackrecord
By Dina Goldstein
1 Mar 2007
I have made it a priority in my career, which has spanned over a decade, to preserve my original love of photography and create my own personal projects. The topics I choose are always a personal challenge, as I try to explore my fascination with the human condition.
'Trackrecord' began with my interest in gambling in general and turned into what I have termed as my photo anthropological quest. At first I wanted to visually document today's 'instant gratification' society that prays off of those who crave immediate contentment. I specifically related with this phenomenon, as I am prone to the excitement it offers. My plan was to cover bingo halls, casinos, the track, pool halls, the Internet and anywhere else that gamblers congregate. My project took a different direction after my first visit to Hastings Park.
The collection of smells, the amazing North facing view and the air of tension mixed with excitement immediately awed me. What most astonished, and kept me returning to the track on a weekly basis, was a sub culture made up of regulars, some who have been fixtures there for over fifty years. I was amazed to see that many of them still dress and act as though time has stood still. These gamblers mostly keep to themselves or hover in small groups, study the horses cautiously and are frugal with their betting. They come from all sorts of backgrounds and speak many different languages. This track is 'home' to many of the regulars that no longer have families.
Hastings Park has been a Vancouver landmark for over 70 years and was in danger of closing for good until just recently when it was bought up by Woodbine, a well known Toronto operation. However, a move out of the big city is more than likely within the next couple of years.
The 'Track' has a colourful and controversial history, it was badly mismanaged until it was taken over by Jack Diamond in 1960. Jack Diamond, who recently died, cleaned it up and changed many of its business practices. He changed the face of racing in our province making it into not only a profitable endeavor for owners, trainers and jockeys, but also a popular social event. Here elegant people would meet their friends, enjoy fine dinning and wager on their favorite Philly. Today the old timers call these days the 'Diamond Days'.
My time at the track began with, and still consists of, the art of people watching and random conversation. If an individual appeals to me somehow I will ask them if I can photograph them against any one of the blue/green walls that enclose the track. My intention is to create a consistency (the wall) within the chaos of the atmosphere. I usually ask them to bring along whatever they are holding such as programs, tickets, money, binoculars, cigarettes, etc.
I realized fairly quickly that timing was crucial and that these portraits would have to be taken in-between the races that run every twenty minutes. The outcome of this time-constrained portrait resulted in a raw caricature that would not posses the same candid quality with an extensive set up. The series is also accompanied by what I call 'Trackrecord'. A brief biography based on a short interview with the subject.
4 responses
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Colin Day gave props (11 Jan 2009):
This is a great story! I would love to see more.
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Alessio Mesiano gave props (12 Jan 2009):
Great portfolio, well done!
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Jasmine Wilson said (13 Apr 2009):
this is so awesome.
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Alexander Bussey gave props (19 Aug 2009):
this photoessay is soo great.
