Cedric von Niederhausern CITY UPON A HILL

When Swiss photographer Cédric von Niederhäusern arrived in the U.S. to study at New York's International Center of Photography, the 2016 primary campaigns were underway. Confounded by the American political system and sensing the deep polarization that was developing, von Niederhäusern began photographing “City Upon a Hill” as a way to learn about the country’s residents and political landscape.

Containing photographs from 2015 to 2016, in locations as diverse as Amarillo, Texas; Manchester, New Hampshire; the U.S.-Mexico border; and the streets of New York City, “City Upon a Hill” observes a country searching for its next leader from a foreigner’s perspective. Touching on themes of power, media, theater and tragedy, von Niederhäusern wanted to “produce work that could be looked at and discussed from many points of view,” he says, hoping it would narrow the political polarization as a result.

Drawn to light and shadow, von Niederhäusern chose a black-and-white palette because it felt more neutral to him than color, allowing him the room he desired to communicate the symbols that underpin “City Upon a Hill.” Von Niederhäusern cites the poetic imagery of Alec Soth’s Songbook as inspiration, along with the mentoring of photojournalist and ICP educator Andrew Lichtenstein, who taught him to become a “better human before being a better photographer.”

“City Upon a Hill,” which was featured by TIME LightBox, is still a work in progress, or just “the first act,” as he puts it. Von Niederhäusern is expanding the series, working on different aspects of U.S. politics, with the end goal of tying them all together.

—Amy Touchette

Photos © Cédric von Niederhäusern c-v-n.ch