Photographer Anastasia Samoylova Documents U.S. Route 1 in New Monograph and Exhibitions

Russian-American photographer Anastasia Samoylova’s photographic exploration of the historic U.S. Route 1, resulting in the monograph Anastasia Samoylova: Atlantic Coast, will be released today alongside simultaneous solo exhibitions in Florida.

Inspired by Berenice Abbott’s 1954 documentation of the same route and anticipating the impact of the Interstate Highway System, Samoylova retraced the journey seventy years later, beginning in Florida and ending in Maine. Her work examines the enduring influence of Route 1 as a corridor of commerce, migration, and cultural myth, revealing how the American landscape is continually shaped by infrastructure and societal forces. The project also echoes the work of Robert Frank, known for his critical portrayal of American life in The Americans.

Anastasia Samoylova: Atlantic Coast features both color and black-and-white photographs that draw on the aesthetics of tourism, advertising, and the classic road trip, exploring themes of environmentalism, consumerism, and politics. The book, published by Aperture, is available for $65. The release of this work comes as concerns grow about the preservation of historic routes and the impact of modern development on American communities.

Solo exhibitions coinciding with the book launch will open November 15 at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida, and November 30 at Dot Fiftyone Gallery in Miami, Florida. Officials stated the exhibitions will offer a compelling visual commentary on the evolving American landscape.