Myren has been photographing the 40th degree of latitude across the United States at every whole degree of longitude. This on-going series addresses several “histories”—his longstanding interest in mapping, the history of the settlement of the US and photography’s role within it, and the history of GPS and new technologies. Spurred by his fascination with the human desire to create and then locate themselves within a system, Myren has visited 15 intersections to photograph his unique three-part panoramas. The gallery will have 10 of his large-scale,14 x 52 inch, color archival ink jet prints on exhibit.

About the 40 th parallel

The line N 40°00’00” practically bisects the county and runs from the New Jersey shoreline through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, becoming the border of Nebraska and Kansas, and then traversing Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and finally ending in Northern California. To locate the intersection of the 40th and each degree, approximately 53 miles apart, Myren uses a hand-held GPS unit. At each confluence, there is an approximately 20 square foot area in which Myren is able to work and compose a view with his large-format 8x10 antique Deardorf view camera. There are 50 longitudinal points that intersect the 40 th on land plus two coastal points.

Historically, this line has wide-ranging importance. In 1867, native New Englander Clarence King, who later became the first director of the US Geological Survey, charted part of the 40 th parallel, accompanied by photographer Timothy O’Sullivan. King’s survey was one of the many 19 th century survey projects in the American west undertaken by the government for the purposes of western expansion and the railroad. Coincidentally, US 40 happens to weave in and around the parallel from Ohio across the west.

About Bruce Myren

A graduate of Massachusetts College of Art, Myren started his photographic career at age 16 with a job at his hometown newspaper. He has exhibited his work at the Photographic Resource Center and the Floating Gallery, among other venues. Myren currently runs his own digital imaging consulting business, BeeDigital, in which he works on various commercial projects and provides a range of imaging support services.

Appointments and Images for Press

For more information or to make an appointment to see the gallery, please contact Laconia Gallery at 617-670-1568, or Bruce Myren at bruce@brucemyren.com and 617-719-5674. Images can be emailed to meet any publication specifications

About Laconia Lofts

Laconia Gallery is owned and operated by the Laconia Artists Corporation, a non-profit organization. Laconia Lofts, built in 1999, is a deluxe mixed-use development located in the SoWa (South of Washington Street) area of the South End and across from the galleries at Harrison and Thayer Streets in Boston, MA, 02118.

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For more information contact lac@laconiagallery.org

Phone: 617-670-1568

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Exhibition Schedule:

Opening Reception:
First Friday, Oct 7, 5:30 - 8:00pm

Additional Hours:
Saturdays through Nov 19,
1:00 - 5:00pm

First Friday, Nov. 4, 5:30 - 8:00pm