Kalamazoo’s Paul Vugteveen (Pauly V.) returned to film photography in 2021, picking up his old Pentax which still had film in it from 10ish years before. In 2019, he removed his first of many Test Strip Signs in Kzoo. The goal with the film is to highlight Pauly V’s ongoing project, which includes built-in self-advocacy, Eco-friendly photography, and a sobering microcosm that puts the intentional faults of capitalism on full display.

I’m super grateful for Pauly’s collaboration with us on this film. He was extremely accommodating to our filming “schedule,” and contributed some rad footage to really tie this film in with the larger project.

I feel that Pauly and I share many of the same values. He cares deeply about humanity as a whole, and people as individuals. Stemming from this are his environmental concerns. Pauly runs a film developing service using Eco-friendly alternatives to traditional photographic chemicals, including caffenol. He also printed most of the Care Before Profit exhibit using Cyanotype, which is an inexpensive and eco-friendly process (that also looks badass). I admire his efforts to so intentionally intertwine his values with the art and its media.

Pauly’s Socials:

Instagram: @KzooFilmPhoto

Online Shop

Caffenol Developing Service

“Care Before Profit” splits its effort between two subjects, Pauly himself, and the Test Strip Signs that he has been photographing and removing since 2019. The corrugated plastic signs, which you may have seen in underserved and working class neighborhoods, are boldly stamped with offers to buy diabetic supplies for cash, along with a local phone number. They target, and profit off of chronically-ill people by offering them a choice between their live-saving medical supplies, and cash to pay for basic necessities.

Pauly V. | Shot by Jake Girolami

Developed in caffenol and scanned by Pauly V.

Pauly lives with type 1 Diabetes. In his exhibition, he weaves together a photographic representation of his experience. The featured nature photography is intertwined with images of insulin viles and middle fingers aimed at test strip signs, and printed onto insulin drug fact sheets. Pauly thought nature was an important component of the exhibition. Even while camping and being in nature are his escape from day to day life, the realities of Diabetes are ever present, even if softened. Pauly explores these themes in his zine, titled “Kalamazoo Film Photo.” In the latest issue, he published risograph printed images of test strip signs and middle fingers, with proceeds benefiting T1 International, a non-profit that fights for access to affordable insulin and fights against big pharma.

The test strip signs are both a symptom and a microcosm of capitalism. The USA has a system that puts profit over people, with a privatized, for-profit health insurance system, and severe unchecked wealth and income inequality. Dr. Charles best and Sir Frederick Banting discovered insulin, and intentionally sold its patent for $1 in order for the crucial drug to be accessible. Now 3 multinational companies control nearly 90% of the insulin market, and sell it at vastly inflated prices. As noted by Pauly in the film, people regularly die due to lack of affordable insulin-one of many dark-and preventable-consequences of runaway multilevel capitalism.