Michael Knapstein

Deeply Rooted

I created the documentary photo series “Deeply Rooted” to honor and preserve the rapidly disappearing family farm and the people whose heritage is deeply rooted in the rural agricultural tradition that helped build the American Midwest. Just during my lifetime, my home state of Wisconsin has lost more than 105,000 family farms. While these traditional small farms fall victim to corporate agriculture and urbanization, their memory is still honored with events that celebrate the proud agricultural roots of the Midwest. Often, these gatherings include antique agricultural equipment, sometimes dating back to the days of steam power. I explored this world for several years by attending more than 50 small fairs and rural festivals across the Midwest. I was drawn to this subject matter because these people and the farm equipment they preserve – both once symbols of progress and innovation – now stand as relics of a bygone era. The resulting images speak to themes of rural identity, memory, loss, history, heritage, pride, family, community and sense of place. To express the timeless nature of this material, I approached this project from a “straight photography” perspective in the spirit of Group f/64. My approach was informed by the iconic work of WPA artists and mid-century modernist photographers such as Adams, Weston, White, Lange, Strand, Parks and Evans. My work was also influenced by the American Regionalism movement and the work of artists including Wood, Benton, Curry, Wyeth and Hopper. To support this modernist aesthetic, I utilized a square format in homage to the timeless work created with medium format Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras of that era. This look is enhanced with split toning that simulates the look of platinum printing on warm-tone matte paper reminiscent of vintage photographic paper. “Deeply Rooted” is ultimately about stewardship: of soil, of knowledge, and of memory. These images serve as a visual record for families, communities, and viewers who recognize that progress need not erase the past. Instead, it can grow from it, grounded in the deep-seated values of resilience, responsibility, and respect for the work that sustains us. If my work is successful, perhaps my images will help preserve the spirit of these proud people and their traditions that are so deeply rooted in the agricultural heritage of the American Midwest.