Andrew Phelps: Haboob

With Haboob photographer Andrew Phelps picks up again where his photo series Higley (Kehrer Verlag, 2007) left off: the explosive growth of the metropolis of Phoenix gradually engulfing surrounding small towns. Rural structures dissolved, replaced by shopping malls and faceless developments of new detached houses; village roads became broad and showy boulevards.The financial and real estate crisis put an abrupt end to the building boom. The destructive sandstorms typical of Arizona's desert landscape, known as haboobs, now sweep through the deserted streets, a symbol of the fear and anxiety gripping today's American middle class.

Andrew Phelps, born 1967, in Mesa, Arizona, lives and works as photographer in Salzburg Austria, since 1990. His work is influenced by the cross-cultural lifestyle he now leads, dividing his time between the deserts of Arizona and the Alps of Austria. Alongside a constant pursuit of new work, Andrew keeps a blog about special edition photography books called BUFFET. Andrew is a member of the PIECE OF CAKE project.

Leslie LeRouxis a volunteer worker who wants to make Higley, a small community which was gradually engulfed by the explosive growth of the neighboring metropolis of Phoenix, historic. She wants the town and residents to remember and acknowledge the history of Higley.