CROWN DITCH & THE PRAIRIE CASTLE: PEOPLE AND TOWNS OF THE CANADIAN WEST
‘Crown Ditch & The Prairie Castle’ by Kyler Zeleny is a long-term documentary project that looks primarily at the understudied region of the Canadian West, its landscapes and towns and the people that call each home.
“This is an unprecedented time and rural communities, many of whom were already holding on by a thin—and quickly fraying— rope, are now having to deal with a global calamity.”
Zeleny’s work is characterized by a deep interest in the Canadian Prairies, its landscapes, people, and histories. He explores these themes through a variety of mediums, including photography, filmmaking, and writing.
Zeleny’s style is marked by his attention to detail and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects. His photography is often characterized by its stark beauty and its ability to convey the mood and atmosphere of the Prairies. He also uses a variety of techniques, including framing, composition, and lighting, to create images that are both visually striking and emotionally engaging.
In Crown Ditch & The Prairie Castle, Zeleny delves into the history and culture of the Canadian Prairies. He explores the forgotten stories and hidden narratives of the region, shedding light on the lives of those who lived there in the past and those who continue to call it home. Through his work, Zeleny encourages us to rethink our relationship with the land and to consider the important role that it plays in shaping our lives and identities.
“This is an opportune moment to look at this unique rural population as it undergoes change, but also as a way to understand the Canadain West, a region as unique and vast as the American West but never adequately covered.”
Gone are the early remnants of the Canadian prairies but its legacy still endures. Crown Ditch and the Prairie Castle documents the spaces and people of the last great ‘proving out’. The project presents the space as an understudied region, a beast upon itself, a unique meeting of landscape, industry, and most importantly, people, who are a resilient breed created by generational lessons in fortitude and fortuned circumstance.
