For the Record

Julia Guo

Inside a sprawling media store, a man in a grey Blue Jays jersey and cap examines DVDs on a wooden shelf, while another man with a red backpack looks at vinyl records on a display rack in the foreground. Countless books fill shelves along the walls, and various media types like 4K and 3D Blu-rays are clearly labeled, all under an orange ceiling.

In the age of streaming and online shopping, physical media—vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs— persists. Why do so many people deliberately collect music, films, and books in formats that have largely been replaced? Why bother walking into a brick-and-mortar shop when everything is available online nowadays? For the Record answers these questions by documenting the spaces and objects that anchor our relationship to arts and culture. Originally presented in book format, the project is a reflection on why physical spaces, tangible products, and face-to-face human connection are vital in an increasingly automated and digital world.

    About The Artist

    A square image featuring the word 'Inhale' in solid white, sans-serif text, centered at the top. Below it is the word 'Exhale,' also in white sans-serif text, but with a transparent gradient effect causing it to fade out towards the bottom. The background is a vertical gradient from a dark, dusty blue at the top to a light, pale blue at the bottom, with a subtle grainy texture throughout.

    Julia Guo

    Julia Guo is an Ontario-based photographer whose work is focused on exploring and becoming immersed into both urban and natural environments, with an emphasis on documenting physical space and human presence. She has also taken a recent interest in tabletop/object photography, as well as the cyanotype printing process. Julia’s work has been exhibited in solo and group shows at The School of Image Arts and at Maximum Exposure in Toronto for three consecutive years.

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