The Story Behind the Shot: Meathead Films and The Whales’ Tails of I-89
Stories.
Every one of us is telling a story. While photographs often supplement these narratives, sometimes they become the story itself.
A Few Days in Burlington
In February ’11, I headed north from my home office outside of Boston. I was on assignment from Freeskier Magazine as part of their Spot Check series to write about Burlington, Vermont. This city holds a special place in the heart of New England’s ski culture. It’s a blend of urban energy and northern tranquility, drawing winter sports enthusiasts and college students alike. Many of these students split their time between classes and ski trips to renowned spots like Stowe, Smuggler’s Notch, Sugarbush, and Jay Peak.
During my visit, I reconnected with Geoff McDonald and Chris “Rooster” James of Meathead Films. I’ve known these two for awhile, having joined them on a couple adventures to document skiing. heir dedication to skiing and filmmaking is palpable, and they’ve proudly showcased east coast skiing — and left their mark, on a global stage. When they extended an invitation to join them for a shoot they were putting together, of course I wouldn’t decline. So that evening, I headed down to a unique set of stairs near the Burlington Waterfront where Meathead Films athletes Jeff Curry, Ross Imburgia and LJ Strenio were gapping the set with Geoff behind the camera.
Fast forward to the next day. As I wrapped up my interviews and was en route back to Massachusetts, my phone buzzed. It was Rooster. They had one more shoot lined up and wanted to know if I was game. Exhausted from the trip, I hesitated. But something told me this was an opportunity I shouldn’t miss.
Thankfully, I listened to that inner voice. I made my way to the Technology Park in South Burlington, home to the iconic Whales’ Tails sculptures visible from Interstate 89. If you’ve ever been to Burlington, you’ve likely spotted them.
Reverence represents two tails of whales diving into an imaginary sea of grass. After spending ten years at its original site in Randolph, VT, the sculpture was sold and moved to South Burlington VT as the centerpiece of a proposed sculpture park (see “Ammonite Fountain” which is also at this site). Carved from 36 tons of African black granite, this piece was chosen to grace the cover of a college art history textbook called “A World of Art” by Henry Sayre. A two page description of the piece is in the book.
Sardonis natural forms
The photos that emerged from that impromptu shoot are some of my favorites, and some of my most-well known; a reminder to what can happen when you just say “sure, I’ll be there,” even when you’re on the brink of calling it a day.
