Kirk Crippens has been documenting the community of Bayview-Hunters Point since 2010. His arresting collection of photos titled The Point will be on display at San Francisco City Hall on this Thursday, November 13. I had an opportunity to talk about Kirk’s project beforehand and to learn more about how the whole thing came to be. The show will be on display until February 6, so go by and take a look next time you’re nearby City Hall.
Did you find that people were open to being photographed when you first started?
Obviously, I am an outsider in many ways. I do not live in Bayview, nor did I have ties there when I started. My approach to this work, as with most of my work, was to immerse myself in the community and become part of it. This approach meant that most of the community knew me before I asked to take their photographs.
How did your experience compare to photographing elsewhere in San Francisco or other communities?
This project was life changing for me because of the relationships I formed. I met my adopted grandmother, Mary Booker, in Bayview. I met my adopted brother, Jesse Sahbi, in Bayview. These relationships will not end just because the project is over. In fact, the photographs I made along the way are secondary to the relationships I formed.
How did you come upon Providence Baptist Church, and how did your relationship with the community change once you were introduced to the congregation?
One Sunday morning in early 2011, I drove to Bayview and took note of some of the significant churches in the neighborhood. I left my choice up to intuition, and by 10:00 that morning, I felt I’d give Providence a try. My relationship with the community blossomed that day; I was immediately welcomed and adopted by the congregation.
How do you think all these new housing developments will affect the neighborhood?
Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood is in the midst of a dramatic transformation. Many forces are contributing to these changes, including the installation of the Third Street rail line, the redevelopment of the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, the encroaching Mission Basin developments, and the pending demolition of Candlestick Park. The neighborhood, largely left alone for decades, is now on its way to becoming another coveted San Francisco zip code. Many of the locals grew up there and have deep roots in the neighborhood. Their families have known one another for generations. The impact will likely be felt through a displacement and scattering of the community.
What was the hardest obstacle to overcome in your project?
The hardest obstacle was adjusting to the changing dynamics of the project. It was originally a collaboration with another photographer, and he’s the person who invited me to begin the work. When he decided to pull out of the project, I felt a little lost. This project is not one I would have chosen for myself, though I am grateful that it was chosen for me.
What do you think is the most important thing for people elsewhere in San Francisco to know about the neighborhood?
I want everyone to know that it is a vital and vibrant community, a San Francisco treasure that we should cherish and preserve.