‘Fertile period’ in Rutland City 25 years ago served as backdrop for photographer’s surreal scenes of suburban life

In the early 2000s, photographer Gregory Crewdson turned the quiet streets of Rutland, Vermont, into a surreal stage for his suburban imagery. Working with stars like Tilda Swinton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julianne Moore, Crewdson captured moments of intense stillness at twilight. These images, which later appeared in major magazines and museum collections, relied on the town’s specific, timeless aesthetic to ground his cinematic visions in reality.

The project was born out of local connections. Crewdson rented equipment from Edgewood Studios, a production hub led by Vermont filmmaker David Giancola. Local creatives, including Sandy Gartner, helped source props and locations, turning houses and street corners into sets that mirrored a fading American era. The collaboration between high-profile talent and local resources defined a period of artistic output in the region.

Looking back at that time, participants describe a shift in how art is made. Giancola notes that modern digital tools and smartphones have changed the way creators interact, often replacing face-to-face collaboration with rapid, technology-driven processes. Crewdson remains committed to his original approach, favoring physical sets and real-world locations over digital fabrications. He argues that in an era flooded with computer-generated content, the act of capturing a photograph in a tangible place retains its importance.

Crewdson continues this practice today, recently collaborating with artist Phoebe Bridgers on imagery that emphasizes distance from modern devices. By creating art that demands focus and presence, he highlights the contrast between our current hyper-connected state and the slow, deliberate work of his past series. His projects in Rutland remain a clear example of how specific, grounded settings provide the necessary backdrop for storytelling that endures.