The Hill series fifty images 1993 to 1994 Peter Leiss

After working with a certain Australian film producer and director for ten months in a David Lynch, Kafka comic tragic scenario in West Hollywood, I made my escape from West Hollywood to North Beachwood Drive Hollywood to recuperate.

Having the hill at my doorstep, so to speak, and wanting to unwind and make the most of rejuvenating quiet, I took many walks exploring the hill and with an opportunity to use a number of vintage cameras now at my disposal, I started to test out these cameras such as a Rolleicord 2 from the 30’s, a Voigtlander Bessa 6 by 9, Various odd 35 m m such as a early Exacta and a Leica that seemed to jam on film advancement, creating double exposures which made me shoot some of my own. Some of the leather bellows cameras had light leak that at times also gave interesting results.

This simple exercise was most therapeutic, if unexplored to the fullest. The noir theme helped to neutralize after-effects of the recent West Hollywood saga, debacle. Now, twenty-six years later, to find that returning to this project can occupy attention as a catalogue under this period of virus lock down again worthwhile and therapeutic.

Sixteen of the black and white images from The Hill series were exhibited at FAD Gallery and Bar 14 Corrs Lane Chinatown Melbourne Victoria Australia from November 23 to December 4, 2001

PL August 31 2020