var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-23903816-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); 50 Couches BlogTwitterFlickrJPGmag/>Facebook My name is Dean MacKay. In June and July of 2010, I slept on 50 different couches in 50 consecutive nights. I took photographs of the couches, both as a couch and as my bed. I took portraits of my hosts and interviewed them. I documented their homes on film and digitally as well as in a journal. I was treated to home cooked meals and intimate secrets. I was cared for when I was ill and checked in on after I was long gone. There were sleepless nights and busy days and times spent discussing the past and dreaming about the future. I drank a lot of coffee at a lot of different coffee houses. There were old friends who became closer and acquaintances who I now call my friends. There were even strangers who invited me into their homes. Threads were woven among them all. My skills were honed as I practiced my craft on a daily basis. I learned many things about my hosts and I continue to learn many things about myself. These times are unforgettable. This journey was initially born out of necessity. The economic times had taken their toll. But the fruit of this labor is not simply financial. It is emotional and spiritual and societal. I tapped into something that is still developing. And as it develops I will share with you this knowledge as well as providing you a way to share it with others. I hope that you will support me as this journey continue and grows. I plan to unveil many things from this work including a coffee table book on the couches, and perhaps other books and a documentary. I’m also hoping to get the blog carried on a major website. Of course, and second project is also in the works although what form it will take has yet to be determined. Any assistance or advice that you can offer to further these projects is welcome. Your support, both financial and emotional, is crucial to my success. Thank You. Dean MacKay Dean@50Couchesin50Nights.com © Dean MacKay 2010Tumblr (3.0; @50couchesin50nights)http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b2d4e62dc4c72e58ff4b484f3d05f62c/tumblr_mmwn9rhCEJ1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8745308942/" title="Clarabel" target="_blank">Clarabel</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #42 - West Los Angeles, California - July 11th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/50591464570http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/50591464570Thu, 16 May 2013 11:56:15 -0700clarabeltoytrainthomasthomas the tank enginetankenginesodorcarpassengerwoodcarpettrackfiredepartmentdeptredbeigebrown50 Couches in 50 Nights<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/404d4cb2451d605154a729a3932ccb33/tumblr_mlttgkC1OF1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8680735569/" title="the couch, my bed" target="_blank">the couch, my bed</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #41 - Hollywood, California - July 10th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/48870591306http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/48870591306Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:43:32 -0700couchbedsheetpillowpurpleburgundyredpaintingcoffeetablesuitcase<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/adedbd191e88c9b09c35fcca2f0f5b05/tumblr_mlimmliyD21qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8662824657/" title="pimento" target="_blank">pimento</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #40 - Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California - July 9th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/48370679120http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/48370679120Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:42:21 -0700pimentoolivegreenblackcheesekniferoosterchickenyellowplatecrumbtablewoodcoffeestainlesssteeltaiwan<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/2f5819ce27353e15cebce85cf22a8a76/tumblr_ml2jb3P25z1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8638262527/" title="S-M-L" target="_blank">S-M-L</a> on Flickr.</p><p>Couch #39 - Los Angeles, California - July 8th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/47669523063http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/47669523063Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:09:03 -0700smallmediumlargesmlme-n-ed'spizzalakewoodmeeddoughbrickovenstainlesssteelcutterwindow<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/0b47bef35e0b70a7688f8c9f4b8ec614/tumblr_mjj3bocIdG1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8549758439/" title="nemesis" target="_blank">nemesis</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #42 - West Los Angeles, California - July 11th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/45165542911http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/45165542911Mon, 11 Mar 2013 20:35:48 -070050 Couches in 50 Nightsnemesisblackcatfloorstareeyesportraitrugcarpet<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/f9de2b2cbe8e2861f4201e724f3c5a01/tumblr_mjd40mSZFh1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8539582303/" title="an extra hand" target="_blank">an extra hand</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #41 - Hollywood, California - July 10th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/44886166233http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/44886166233Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:05:09 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightshandmannequinmodelfingerthumb3threemantel<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/75b3d5a25005b465a4d1d67834ce6aaa/tumblr_mj9vyq4qwY1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8536136654/" title="Five to Twelve" target="_blank">Five to Twelve</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #40 - Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California - July 9th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/44762804110http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/44762804110Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:18:25 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightsfivetwelvecastironpanstoveteakettlevintageclock124578101112hours5550454035252015<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/292393b120a4f55042e86c91da00e95f/tumblr_mj7kgh0SI71qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8531602427/" title="The Watcher aka Cricket" target="_blank">The Watcher aka Cricket</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #39 - Los Angeles, California - July 8th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/44655215870http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/44655215870Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:14:40 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightswatchercatcrickethallhallwaycouchsiamesecarpet<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/c71fb5a10eb42a78a2bdffd9995080d8/tumblr_mijnwu2jze1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8492830407/" title="Plus" target="_blank">Plus</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #40 - Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California - July 9th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/43603134856http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/43603134856Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:26:53 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightsapplemacintoshmacplusfloppydiskdrivegreenplanttreemonitor<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/3ddd62190efed2f366e959751040a9c3/tumblr_mig94iAbWk1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8487222441/" title="Couch Kitty" target="_blank">Couch Kitty</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #39 - Los Angeles, California - July 8th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/43462121789http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/43462121789Mon, 18 Feb 2013 20:14:41 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightsorangetabbycatredcouchkitty<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/411797eb9b92d1d49b9b50c535e174e7/tumblr_mgp3hgMBRm1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8385467238/" title="Handyman" target="_blank">Handyman</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40645664738http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40645664738Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:44:03 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightshandymanclubamericafiliberto'smexicanfood89x88.7cantersdelibakeryfairfaxheartelviselvis presleykinglooneytunestasmaniandevilblackwell's cornerblackwellgriffeyken griffey jr.ken<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/c97d151796c999d7aae1e05702728364/tumblr_mgp3d0peW71qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8385466652/" title="tape to tape" target="_blank">tape to tape</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40645435649http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40645435649Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:41:24 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightshockeysticktapejeremy roenick97autographSergei Fedorovroenickfederov<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/bea3bb9bad913d62f7718cb4a9b6ab3f/tumblr_mgp348nDli1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8385466138/" title="Hitman" target="_blank">Hitman</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644992561http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644992561Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:36:08 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightsthomas hearnshitmaneverlastboxinggloveautographtommy hearnshearns<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/71f8e0dd3a6aacb997797c05d03e4d44/tumblr_mgp318gDib1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8385465722/" title="Grog" target="_blank">Grog</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644835386http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644835386Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:34:20 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightssam's seafoodsamseafoodhuntingtonbeachhuntington beachforbidden islandforbiddenislandalamedagrogoceanicwhittiermugtikiumbrellapink<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/8b09446d2342d54c512d0195be4a5d1b/tumblr_mgp2xuwEFQ1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8384381901/" title="meat is murder" target="_blank">meat is murder</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644664822http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644664822Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:32:17 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightssmithsmeat is murderalbumcoverjames deanmeatmurderjamesdeancoaster<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/42146ed6567d3bcb370eee1e0d97deb2/tumblr_mgp2viX2ch1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8385464836/" title="brews" target="_blank">brews</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644551792http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644551792Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:30:54 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightsbeerbottlecollectionbrigand1798st. Bernardustripeldeliriumtremenstrappistesrochefortorvalpetrustriplealewitka-paterabbeybornemde koninckenamechimaybelgiumbelgiancap<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/914c455f200ce0c4887aede56b271fd3/tumblr_mgp2m6LWOY1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8385464446/" title="pizza" target="_blank">pizza</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644078293http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40644078293Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:25:17 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightschampionsbuddy'spizzadetroitroyal oakelvis-a-ramatrader vic'smai taicheersbostonmarilyn monroeandy warholwarholwe do not stop playing because we grow old. we grow old because we stop playingpornheartshagwall drugrat packencounterrestaurantlaxqueentiki-tiroswellalienhand grenadenew orleans103.1<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/25dce420e61f539e937d7cdf1d3483f6/tumblr_mgp1f4oFuY1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8384380513/" title="Dr. Teeth" target="_blank">Dr. Teeth</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40641959760http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40641959760Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:59:27 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightstikiwallartfaceteethwoodwoodencarved<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/815f4a0d7ea6add2e79fd8ee282a022f/tumblr_mgp1ctCAC41qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8385463494/" title="Joe Montana" target="_blank">Joe Montana</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40641848005http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40641848005Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:58:04 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightsjoe montanasan franciscosf49ershelmetriddellrumdon the beachcombertikicasemug<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ba0ac00ee852b8ef087984a431c2178b/tumblr_mgp198lOMd1qlp4vyo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanmackayphoto/8385463044/" title="The Couch, My Bed - digital version" target="_blank">The Couch, My Bed - digital version</a> on Flickr.</p><p><i>Via Flickr:</i><br/> Couch #38 - Hollywood, California - July 7th, 2010</p>http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40641669474http://50couchesin50nights.tumblr.com/post/40641669474Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:55:55 -080050 Couches in 50 Nightscouchleatherblackbedpillowcomforterblanketzebraboddingtoncoffee tableewentertainment weeklyupperblindverticalwindowglasstikiartarrow