Artist Jason Mitcham has created a moving tribute to his childhood home in Greensboro, North Carolina, which was demolished to make way for urban development. His stop-motion film, "Ever Behind the Sunset," is a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the indelible marks left by places we once cherished. Through meticulous hand-painted frames and deeply personal audio, Mitcham invites viewers into his past, transforming a painful family and community experience into a universal narrative about change and remembrance.
Artist Jason Mitcham Eulogizes Childhood Home in Greensboro Through Hand-Painted Stop-Motion Film
In a deeply personal artistic endeavor, Jason Mitcham, a talented artist, has crafted "Ever Behind the Sunset," a compelling stop-motion film that serves as a eulogy for his childhood residence in Greensboro, North Carolina. This cherished home, a repository of countless memories, was acquired by the local government through eminent domain in 2011 to facilitate the expansion of what was formerly High Point Road, now known as Gate City Boulevard. Mitcham's last visit to the site in 2023 revealed a landscape dramatically transformed, with the old neighborhood replaced by a paved highway, though remnants of garages and barns still dotted the area.
To immortalize this significant landmark, Mitcham meticulously hand-painted each frame of the film, creating a series of expressive compositions that evoke a dreamlike atmosphere. The visual narrative is profoundly enriched by audio recordings of his mother and nostalgic home videos from the 1980s, weaving together a tapestry of loss, grief, and heartfelt remembrance. The film delves into a series of intertwined devastations, both personal and communal. These include the collapse of his father's civil engineering and land-surveying business following the 2008 housing crisis, his parents' subsequent bankruptcy, and their eventual passing. Furthermore, the film addresses the community's steadfast but ultimately unsuccessful struggle against the commercial development that irrevocably altered their once-familiar surroundings.
A companion behind-the-scenes video offers deeper insights into Mitcham's artistic process and philosophical underpinnings. Those interested in exploring more of his work, including his films and canvas paintings, can visit his personal website and Instagram profiles.
Jason Mitcham's film offers a profound reflection on the impermanence of physical spaces and the enduring power of memory. It serves as a poignant reminder that while structures may crumble, the emotional resonance and stories embedded within them continue to live on through art. The film also prompts contemplation on the broader implications of urban development and the often-unseen human cost of progress, encouraging us to cherish our histories and the places that shape us.