KYLIE GOTZFRIED // Wild Berries in Wooden Quarts



Wild Berries in Wooden Quarts
Imagine driving down the road in the middle of nowhere at 55mph. You’ve seen nothing

but rows of corn, some old barns, and maybe a tractor. Suddenly something catches your eye. A small, brightly painted structure on the side of the road, with a big hand-painted sign that seems to yell “FRESH STRAWBERRIES”. You have just enough time to pull over next to the stand without accidentally passing it. When you walk up to the little windowsill-like countertop, you are greeted with rows of glorious brightly colored fruits and vegetables, as well as the slight scent of a garden. There’s a small chalkboard naming out prices like “2 squash for 50 cents” or “peppers 4 for $1”. You collect your loot, drop a few bills into the coffee canister with a hole cut into the top, and drive away.

These seemingly insignificant roadside structures became a fascination for me whenever I went on road trips. I became enthralled with the experience of finding these hidden gems and stocking up on whatever home-grown goodies I could find at them. With their unique structures, characteristics, and contents, I felt they carried a certain charm about them. I began documenting both the roadside stands and the produce within. It became a scavenger hunt - with no easy internet search to map their location, I had to go out and explore to stumble upon them, making each a surprise.

These images have been years in the making. They are the result of an on-going fascination with farm and food culture, and my obsession with color. The project consists of digital photography, medium-format film, and even features some produce illustrations from the seventies. I sought to not only capture the raw beauty and magic of these little roadside stands, but to show that they are as rich in culture as their contents are in nutritional value.

www.kyliegotzfried.com