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Every work of art has the ability to take on a life of its own. It is only now that I realize the life force in ‘American Gothic Revisited’—it is a collection that honestly describes, in pictures and words, the character and characters of Slab City, often referred to as ‘The last free place in America.’ The word ‘free’ is associated with the Slabs because of two facts: there’s no rent and there are no laws—except respect you neighbor’s territory and clean up after yourselves. That makes for a truly unique America place. Of course freedom is always a challenge. Located 126’ below sea level in the Sonoran desert of southeast California, Slab City is ‘off the grid.’ What you bring in is all you’ve got. Formerly U.S. Marine Corps Camp Dunlap during WW II and long ago decommissioned, all that remains are the barrack slabs that gives it it’s name. 150 or so true Slabbers live there year-round under the harsh- est of environmental conditions—summer temperatures can reach 120° F, rainfall averages 3.23” per year, solar panels supply a minimum of power to get by, and for sewage treatment, think out houses. Plus there are sandstorms, rattlesnakes, tarantulas and earthquakes in clusters. Outside of the sun baked summer months the population swells to over 2,000 people and the Slabs take on the feel of a city. Seasonal Slabbers return every year with appreciation of the life style; Snowbirds arrive escaping the winter climates at home in the northern United State and Can- ada; backpackers and transients ‘jest passin’ through.’ as Mr. Natural used to say, stay a week or two; and then you have those on ATVs, day trippers and touristas in for a day of sight seeing, picture taking and selfies. Moving in 2014 clear across a continent from New York City, a megalopolis of skyscrapers, superhighways and billionaires, I found Slab City to be a 180 degrees change from that dynamic life and took pleasure in a simpler way of living. Here there’s no winters, no rain, no pollution - just peace and quiet for the most part; no rent—didn’t I say that already? — mortgages or leases; no big banks, no big brother, politicians or lobbyists; no buildings under construction; no telephone poles or wires hanging in mid-air and no manhole covers; no stop signs or speed limit—just slow the fuck down; and there are no societal pressures to conform to so you can just be yourself. But there’s music every Saturday night at the Range, Slab City’s open air nightclub run by ‘Builder Bill,’ coffee each morning at the Oasis Club, a library, Internet cafe and the natural hot springs. In East Jesus you’ll find Sculpture Garden, a setting of phantasmago- rical works of art all made out of recycled material. And a quarter-mile before the sentry gate to Slab City is ‘Salvation Mountain,’ Leoard Knight’s monument that proclaims ‘God Is Love.’ I’ve found the folks in Slab City to be real and honest. Im- perfect, yes — but aren’t we all? The difference being people in Slab City are more likely to wield their imperfections as a badge of honor. I’ve dedicated over three and a half years to this collection. Slabbers have accepted me and given me the handle ‘Foto Bob.’ Cool. And Humbling. www.bobzahn.com
