PUNCH BUG
(ongoing)
As a child, the Volkswagen Beetle represented more than just an unusually shaped car; it was the origin of a game my backseat companions and I played. We would punch each other on the arm upon spotting a Volkswagen Beetle while shouting “Punch Bug!” (also known as “Punch Buggy!” and “Slug Bug!”) in reference to the Beetle's nickname, the Bug. My fascination with this car continued through my teenage years, and in 1984, a gently used white '74 Bug became my first set of wheels.
Decades have passed since I owned a Beetle, yet every time I see a classic Bug on the road, my heart skips a beat. With my series, Punch Bug, I celebrate these round relics through environmental portraiture. Just like when I was a child, this photographic project has become a fun game, centered on the thrill of the hunt. These days, when I shout “Punch Bug!” I find myself too busy reaching for my camera to punch anyone.
