Obscura designates the commission theme or subject to photograph. As a photographer oriented platform we want to commission our community members to go out and photograph pressing issues happening today around the world. A team of 10 photographers are awarded the Community Commission to document events, people or places. We also offer them a mentorship program and a curatorial partnership to help during the commission. Each artist will deliver a collection of 15 NFTs.

Obscura Community

405 #14 by Niall O'Brien

405 is a portrait of the busiest and most congested freeway in California, the 405. This series explores the suburbs and streets, off the exit ramps along the 72-mile stretch from Irvine to San Fernando.   Affected massively after the lockdown was announced, there was an almost instantaneous environmental and social reaction to the lack of cars on the usually backed-up lanes. Traffic in Los Angeles has always been a daily talking point for most who live here and this clear reaction to the pandemic was fascinating to witness. 
Two years on and as the city tries to get itself back together, the traffic returns with vengeance. Still, a major talking point but with added darkness. There has been a rise in violent road rage reports, shootings, a sense of lawlessness and the smog is as thick as ever.
This work is an objective portrait of the 405 freeway and what surrounds it. 
Edition: 1 of 1

Commissioned by Obscura