As a resident of New York, Ken Schles witnessed the attack on the Twin Towers. He photographed the tragedy, which according to him lead to a new world order in which fear reigned. Since September 11 the manner of waging war has changed, says Schles. In terms of tactics, psychology and propaganda, the battlefield has moved from a military terrain to civil society. Schles recorded the consequences for daily life in New York. For HOMELAND SECURITY (2004-2005) he photographed quiet, loving and ominous moments and mixed these with photographs of places that are considered likely targets for terrorist attacks, creating a reflection on safe places that from one day to the next change into dangerous territory.

The work of Ken Schles (United States, b. 1960) focuses on people, the city, and society. His work has been included in the Noorderlicht exhibitions Wonderland, Sense of Space and Promised Land.

Interview with Ken Schles regarding his project An Absence in the Presence of Things in the Promised Land exhibit at the Noorderlicht Gallery.