Evidence of a Human Occurrence
The Bureau of Human Occurrences tasks participating Agents from across the country and beyond to gather photographic evidence of human occurrence in their regions. Using the disposable camera and list of prompts provided, Agents explore their area, send back what they uncover, and the Bureau creates a Case File.
Each Case File takes the viewer somewhere new: into the forest, through the City, inside the house, and onto the playground. We journey to the shores of a tropical island, walk a well-tread neighbourhood sidewalk, and see inside the mind of a child. Agent photographs are completely individual, yet when assembled into a collection and put into dialogue with each other, they become part of something larger.
This project began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a lonely time. We could keenly feel the points of connection that had been lost, and maybe even we felt like we were starting to disappear ourselves. The project of taking photographs of our surroundings, looking for remnants of other's existence, was an effort to tune in and notice what was happening around us in a new way. It is evidence of us all.
If you would like to participate as an Agent please contact us with your name and mailing address.
Case File #001
Date: 05/04/2021
Case Description:
The following photographs were shot on disposable cameras in the latter half of 2020 and submitted as evidence of human occurrences in four locations.
Collectors: Locations:
Celina Vides Calgary, AB
Laurel Green Nanaimo, BC
Sammie Gough Victoria, BC
Lee Cookson Banff, AB
Photo Processing & Graphic Design: Lee Cookson
Case Agent: Laurel Green
Case File #002
Date: 05/04/2021
Case Description:
The following photographs were shot on digital cameras at the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021 and submitted as evidence of human occurrences in four locations.
Collectors: Locations:
Peter Rose Toronto, ON
Dominique Rabideau Montreal, QC
Richard Lam New York, NY
Jonathan Brower Victoria BC
Photo Processing & Graphic Design: Lee Cookson
Case Agent: Laurel Green
Case File #003
Date: 04/03/2022
Case Description:
The following photographs were shot on disposable cameras in the latter half of 2021 and submitted as evidence of human occurrences in four locations.
Collectors: Locations:
Lisa Li New York, NY; St. Croix, USVI
Aquiles Garro Victoria, BC
Richard Lam New York, NY; St. Croix, USVI
Milo Peters Victoria, BC
Brenda A Leo Moranchel Victoria, BC
Photo Processing & Graphic Design: Lee Cookson
Case Agents: Laurel Green, Sammie Gough, Richard Lam