A cross country road trip designed around our fascination with alien encounters, and the search for intelligent life in the cosmos.
Even in a well mapped terrain there is still possibility for exploration and discovery.
This summer we are heading on a cross country road trip designed around our fascination with alien encounters, and the search for intelligent life in the cosmos. As photographers, we are going to explore the American landscape as visitors from another world, and bare witness to the possible sites of alien contact. We will meet the men and women who have devoted their lives in the search for extraterrestrials, and those haunted by unexplainable encounters.
Some destinations include, the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute in California, The Marfa lights in Texas, The cryptologic museum in Maryland, Cape Canaveral in Florida, and the site of the Kelly–Hopkinsville encounter in Kentucky. All told we intend to cover more than six thousand miles spread out over the course of thirty days.
We are not interested in trying to photograph an extraterrestrial (but that would be great), or extrapolating fact from fiction. We are interested in ideas of faith, security, code breaking, manifest destiny, and the power of photography and video to create or confirm suspicion. We want to listen to the stories that people are willing to share, and use them as starting points to form our own queries.
The trip will culminate with an exhibition in Boston, and a printed catalogue of our work. Most of the planning for the trip is done. We have an incredible list of people and places to visit, and we have secured a location for our exhibition. We have saved enough money for the trip itself, your contributions will specifically pay for film and development, the printing of the catalogue, and exhibition costs.
The reward structure is set up to embed you in this project. At almost every donation level you will not only receive a photograph but also an artifact, drawing, sound, or video recording collected along the way. We are ecstatic about this trip and what might be found, however this project will not be fully realized without your support. Any contribution is greatly appreciated.
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”
― Carl Sagan
Please visit:americanencounters.tumblr.com
dbboardman.com
dylanjamesnelson.com
Work samples:
FAQ
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90
Backers
$3,391
pledged of $7,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on June 29, 2012.
Funding period
May 30, 2012 -
Jun 29, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 5 backed
- Dan Boardman 459 friends
- Website: dbboardman.com
Pledge $1 or more
5 backers
For $1 you will be added to our mailing list and have your name featured on the "Thank You" page of our catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $5 or more
5 backers
An original American Encounters postcard with a handwritten thank you note from the artists.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $15 or more
13 backers
5"x7" archival pigment print of one of the images made on the trip.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $25 or more
37 backers
5"x7" archival pigment print and catalogue of the work.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $35 or more
4 backers
The catalogue and artists sketch from “draw what you saw bag”
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $50 or more
10 backers Limited (20 of 30 left)
A 16"x20" original poster printed on newsprint and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $65 or more
2 backers
8"x10" archival pigment print with original artists sketch from “draw what you saw bag” and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $75 or more
1 backer
11"x14" archival pigment print, "draw what you saw" sketch, original mounted slide from the trip and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $100 or more
3 backers
11"x14" archival pigment print, "draw what you saw" sketch, original mounted slide from the trip, audio recordings on cassette tape and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $125 or more
0 backers
17"x22" archival pigment print of one of the images made on the trip and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $150 or more
3 backers
17"x22" archival pigment print of one of the images made on the trip (choice of five), 16"x20" original poster printed on newsprint and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $200 or more
1 backer
17"x22" archival pigment print of one of the images made on the trip (choice of five), 16"x20" original poster printed on newsprint, sketch from "draw what you saw bag," original mounted slide from trip and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $350 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
20"x30" archival pigment print of one of the images made on the trip (choice of 3) and original artifact from trip with annotated notecard pertaining to artifact and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
20"x30" archival pigment print of one of the images made on the trip (choice of 3), original artifact from trip with annotated notecard pertaining to artifact, and VHS tape containing 60 minutes of unedited footage of an alien encounter site.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
Archival pigment print of your choice (choice of 15 images) in the size of your choice (up to 20"x30"), VHS Tape, Audio Recording, Slide, Artifact, Annotated Card, “draw what you saw” sketch and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $1,001 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
All that and a bag of chips.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
Lunch with Artist's father to discuss his abduction story and photograph of your choice (up to 20"x30") and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
30 slides in a carousel permanently mounted to a golden (painted) projector with corresponding notes and slide numbers and the catalogue.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013
