Quam Odunsi: Analogue - Installation Magazine

A wall of immaculate vintage film and video cameras lined the entryway of Quam Odunsi’s first LA solo exhibition Anachronistic Capture: Motion & Stills at Design Matters.

In a moment characterized by rapidly transmitted digital images, Odunsi’s conviction to document the world through analogue lens types such as Polaroid, Fujiroid, 35mm, and Super 8mm film exposes the tremendous possibilities of the analogue medium. Inspired by a state of “sobriety and lack thereof,” the archival film and stills are rich with narrative just as the reel of Ball Nogues Pool feels like a reclaimed home movie with a rich narrative even without audio. The footage tells the story of friends who went on an adventure deep into the heart of the California desert to the Ball Nogues Pool, a wooden structure that looks as though it had melted by the sun. Like Noah’s Arc, the structure summons wanderers of all walks of life inside. The charm of the film omits any audio clues as to who these people are and why they have gathered, but it’s hard to fight a feeling of nostalgia as it reminds us of someplace we have once been or dreamed of going. Whether he’s documenting the emptiness of the desert or the vast social terrain, Quam Odunsi’s practice trusts in the permanence of analogue.

From the Exhibition

Quam Odunsi, The Voyage with Artists Khoi Nguyen, Brandon Shigeta and Taiyo Watanabe Begins — Quam Odunsi, *The Voyage with Artists Khoi Nguyen, Brandon Shigeta and Taiyo Watanabe Begins*

Quam Odunsi, The Discovery of a Modern Day Warrior — Quam Odunsi, *The Discovery of a Modern Day Warrior*

Quam Odunsi, Brandon Shigeta, Khoi Nguyen and Taiyo Watanabe Documenting Ball-Nogues Architectural Piece — Quam Odunsi, *Brandon Shigeta, Khoi Nguyen and Taiyo Watanabe Documenting Ball-Nogues Architectural Piece*

Quam Odunsi, The Reluctant Artists and a Solo Tastemaker — Quam Odunsi, *The Reluctant Artists and a Solo Tastemaker*

Quam Odunsi, Ball-Nogues Swimming Pool — Quam Odunsi, *Ball-Nogues Swimming Pool*

Quam Odunsi, The Lounger and the Engineering of Ball-Nogues Design — Quam Odunsi, *The Lounger and the Engineering of Ball-Nogues Design*

Quam Odunsi, This Means War and Gregory Siff Collaboration — Quam Odunsi, *This Means War and Gregory Siff Collaboration*

Quam Odunsi, The Factory of Spencer Guilburt — Quam Odunsi, *The Factory of Spencer Guilburt*

Quam Odunsi, The Ride of Spencer Guilburt — Quam Odunsi, *The Ride of Spencer Guilburt*

Quam Odunsi, The Creative Cartel Crew — Quam Odunsi, *The Creative Cartel Crew*

Quam Odunsi, Spencer Guilburt Kills It — Quam Odunsi, *Spencer Guilburt Kills It*

"ARTIST SPENCER GUILBURT MISSES YOU" — Quam Odunsi, *Artist Spencer Guilburt Misses You*

All images by Quam Odunsi