Alexander Harper - Infraordinary

Infraordinary, 2022

C-type prints

16 x 20 inches ( 40.6 x 50.8 cm )

I was inspired by Georges Perec’s text An Attempt at Exhausting a Place in Paris, in which he tries to write down every event he notices while somewhere in public. I believe there is beauty in the mundane existence of everyone. Each day we all perform ordinary tasks that have become so habitual that they go unnoticed; they find themselves below the ordinary, i.e., the infraordinary.

When I began this project, I believed voyeuristic tendencies were what attracted me to the banal. I felt lucky to catch people in these moments, a glimpse into another person’s life. Now I see that it was more of a shared connection that compelled me. There was a universal quality to these moments.

The hyperactivity of my mind often leaves me preoccupied. Although, every so often I am blessed by fleeting serenity. Repetitive tasks, transitions, pauses, and observations help me reach this state, where the body seems to take over and the mind can rest or wonder for a moment. These occurrences are marked by an intense presence and tranquility. I savour these moments and believe I am not alone in experiencing this momentary bliss. My hope is that these photographs can lead the viewer to a similar experience.