Storiography is the documentary work of designer Christiana Aretta.

So I’m walking along U Street, photographing all kinds of street detritus – cigarette butts, cans, gum wrappers, etc. when a lady sitting at the bus stop in front of the Starbucks at 16th & U asks me what I’m taking pictures of.

“Well, I’m working on this project called 100 Casualties. I go out early Sunday mornings and take pictures of all the trash that people have left behind from Saturday Night. The idea is that people are represented by the trash they leave behind.”

There was a man sitting next to her at the bus stop. He was wearing perfectly round pale tortoiseshell glasses and a three-piece light brown tweed suit. He nodded in understanding.

“Like this medication on the ground,” I said, leaning over with the camera.

“First time I’ve seen that,” he said, looking off into the distance.

I stood up and she looked right at me with purpose, “Are you gonna clean it up?”

You know that sound a record needle makes when you take it off the record? My brain just did that. And then my artist’s ego spun off into the distance like an untied balloon and sputtered out on the ground, completely deflated.

“Well, to be honest, I have to work fast. Because the guys who do clean it up will be here in about 30 minutes.” I said, lamely.

“Hmpff.” she said, not entirely satisfied, “Well, there’s some more medicine here. It’s all around the bus stop.”

I took a couple more pictures and crossed the street, wading through point-counterpoint conflicting waves of guilt and reason on the way.

Guilt: “She’s right. I should come back and clean up some of this stuff up next week.”
Reason: “There’s a whole team of guys that do that – it’s not your responsibility.”
Guilt: “Yeah, but isn’t it hypocritical to photograph the junk other people leave in your neighborhood and not throw it away?”
Reason: “It’s not like I’m the one throwing a bunch of litter around – why should I have to clean up after other people? Besides, I’m always picking up stuff in front of my hou-”
Art: “Wow! a dime! I gotta get a picture of that…”

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