Allyn Hawthorne's Vices exhibition, his senior solo show for his BFA in experimental photography at Cal State Fullerton, presents a compelling dichotomy. Though the exhibit has since closed, it contrasted gritty subject matter with immaculate presentation, creating a powerful metaphor. Unlike others exploring urban decay motifs, Hawthorne—a Riverside native and Poly High School graduate—demonstrates respect for his subject through thoughtfully composed film photographs and well-crafted props like a giant “Vape” with a video monitor display.
There's something alluring about the shadows, the contrast, the yellowed plastic of the backlit signage that Hawthorne captures. His work portrays these vices as tantalizing rather than dangerous—questioning the tactics used to market them. The exhibition raises the question: Would teenagers be so drawn to these vices if the process of acquisition were more sterile and done under bright white lights instead of the flicker and crackle of spent fluorescents?
"The project Vices is something very personal to me, as so many people I know have been affected from a young age," Hawthorne explains. "Through this first showing, I have had the opportunity to engage with individuals that share similar experiences and hardships. My goal moving forward is to continue to get people discussing the marketing tactics that have ensured the next generations a lifelong battle."
By romanticizing the visual experience of smoke shops and liquor stores, Hawthorne invites us to consider our own relationship with these substances. Although we all know vices aren't in our best interest, we find ourselves acknowledging that strictly following the rules excludes certain experiences—perhaps explaining why, by the end of the day, most of us will, as Hawthorne suggests, have had our vice too.
