Twin Cities photographer Soth captures ‘The Last Days of W.’

Anticipating the inauguration of President Barack Obama, Twin Cities photographer Alec Soth compiled a series of photos entitled, “The Last Days of W.” Taking its title from a poem by Lester B. Morrison, the series (and book) offers a poetic look at the country George W. Bush leaves behind. Shot in Minnesota and across the United States, the works represent “a panoramic look at a country exhausted by its catastrophic leadership.”

“In assembling this collection of pictures I’ve made over the last eight years, I guess I’m not really trying to accomplish much at all. But as President Bush once said, ‘One of the great things about books is, sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.’”

Priscilla, Los Angeles, California

RNC, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Whether dawn or dusk,
Don Knotts or the deputy,
There is nothing left but gas

You’ve exhausted

You’ve laughed your head off
Wrapped it in black burlap
And bounced on the branch
Till sticky with candy and mâché.

Now the ranch is quiet,
Brush cleared,
Fields burnt,
Almost bored.

These are the last days of W.

—Lester B. Morrison

Osama, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Related: Alec Soth on photographing the Minnesota Senate recount
And: Imagining Bush: Artists on the official presidential portraits