Nick D. Weiss

Aftermath, 2014–

Aftermath explores the landscape as historical record, documenting the seemingly normal, public locations and the discarded remnants from cruising endeavors. “Cruising” – an iconic term resonating through the gay community – involves the brief and anonymous experience of a sexual encounter in, what is typically, a public sphere. With the rise of “hook-up technology,” these privately public spaces are on the verge of extinction, migrating into the bedroom. Traditionally, cruising takes place in deep wooded thickets, public restrooms, and other visibly hidden public locations. This project documents what is left behind after these encounters, hunting the woods, trails, locations for these remnants and archaeological finds. While these spaces are readily available and common to everyone, they unconsciously resonate with the gay community as private and intimate. Historically spread via word-of-mouth, the locations for this work were selected after careful research through many cruising websites and mobile apps. The websites permit individuals, or groups, to simply post their availability in a particular location through an open thread or private communication. Akin to prey, this allows for the interested to accept the open invitation and join, negotiating arrangements in the moment. As an ongoing project, Aftermath currently investigates the cities of Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburgh, and Washington, Pennsylvania.