"WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU CAN NO LONGER DO WHAT YOU WERE BORN TO DO." RON. P. WOLFEY
PHOTO AND APPLICATION BY CYNTHIA ZORDICH
Pigment and Silver Photo Exhibit Running Through September at Pittsburgh Filmmakers
Artist combines dated newspaper clipping with Steelers sideline portraits to expose the harsh reality of NFL and the emotions of letting go.
Pittsburgh, PA, July 04, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Pigment and Silver
Location: Pittsburgh Filmmakers
477 Melwood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
June 28, 2013 to September 13, 2013
Cynthia Zordich combines dated Pittsburgh Post Gazette clippings, sideline player portraits and excerpts from her book When The Clock Runs Out to document the struggle of transition many players face when their NFL career comes to an end.
Black and White portraits taken by Zordich at a 1999 Steelers home game serve as relics of yesteryear. Shot on 3200 Tmax film, the negatives have been scanned and layered with imagery, color and text. Murals are created, printed and transferred to newspaper that has been mounted to 2.5' by 4' steel plates.
"Transition is often a difficult period in any life as it provokes change and with change comes uncertainty," says Zordich. "Players in transition can be faced with deep emotional scars as every aspect of life as they know it is pulled from them. The NFL can become intoxicating. Players may mistakenly become accustomed to the treatment, some falsely believe it will last forever."
The haunting images serve as precautionary tales. They force current and future players to acknowledge their inevitable destiny. They challenge the current player to change the course of their lives by preparing for life after the game early in their careers. They confirm the one thing that all players have in common and that is that one day they will be done. Outside of player impact, Zordich hopes to open the window to player transition for fans as well.
"Keeping the players unnamed was quite intentional," shares Zordich. "Each year, in every sport, we revere the players on the field. When they're replaced it's one easy swipe on the chalk board and in no time someone new is wearing their number. But the NFL is not like the days of the gladiator, when old warriors were thrown on the cart and discarded. Though out of the limelight, these warriors live on. They are men with families... and futures. I want people to think about that as they travel from one piece to the next and realize that many of these players are as forgotten by them as the old clippings beneath them."
Cynthia Zordich is a contributor for the NFL Player Engagement Program which specializes is assisting players and their families in transition. Cynthia offers a unique perspective as the wife of a 12 year veteran and coach Michael Zordich. They have two sons, Michael V. (PSU '12, Carolina Panthers) and Alex (State Univ. of NY at Buffalo, QB), and a daughter, Aidan (PSU).
www.cynthiazordich.com
https://www.nflplayerengagement.com/wri/