In 1993 the artist started buying black and white photographs from archives found at markets. Sometimes these archives were mixed up and the difference between something like film production stills and forensic or documentary photographs became blurred. The viewer often treats images with different gravity, depending on whether they are presented as 'documentary' or fictional constructions. Inspired by the Dutch crime novels of Janwillem van de Wetering and the photographs of Weegee, Dower decided to pursue his own ‘detective instinct’ by carrying a camera at all times. The resulting images of chance events relating to disaster or intrigue around the city of Amsterdam were matched up in sets of three, suggesting an ambigous narative space.

Unrelated Incidents #2, installation on pinboard. 1000 x 1500 mm