Gallery Photographers
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Peter's Picks of the Month December 3 - December 23, 2008
Peter Marr picked his favorite
photos of the show
All images copyright by the individual photographers
4th Annual Holiday Show It
has been said that Photography is not Fine Art, but rather an
amalgam of individual taste, grafted onto mechanical proficiency.
Nothing could be further from this tired hollow epithet when
one views and experiences the exhibitions that are proud to be
displayed each month at the Image City Photographic Gallery;
especially so when you come
and see the current Holiday Show, the excellent work of 21 fine
photographers.
All of Lois’s delightful prints show her
exquisite, artistic vision, giving us intimate, delicate, yet
powerful images that reflect her love and passion for nature and the
environment. There is no need to intensify the elements in her
pictures to induce an emotional response from the viewer, for each
image has been captured and presented in such an exemplary way, that
the viewer cannot fail to be moved by their beauty and artistry. “Curves”,
majestically illustrates all of Lois’s exceptional talents, with the
added bonus of the subject’s compelling rich color palette, design
and form. With the exemplary use of close-up photography, your eye
is transported into the intricacies of the flower center, through a
portal of rich deep pinks and reds, through a sea of delicate
yellows, aided by the delicate curves, folds and veins of the
petals. One’s journey is immediately confronted with the powerful
upthrust of several elegant, graceful, stamens, reaching seemingly
into the unknown, until they culminate at the anthers, whose sacs
are bursting with pollen grains, ones carrying the hope and life of
the next generation. The
range of both subtle and strong color hues we see on our journey all
add to the sheer beauty, complexity, and magnificence of nature at
its finest. No painter
could duplicate such an awe-inspiring image, superbly captured by
the artist in this exceptional photograph.
Blue Bike and Barn We take pictures with our hearts and minds,
because we love them, and this is just such an image that we can all
love. The use of bold vibrant colors enhances the strong graphic
design. Who could not love the vivid red color of the side of the
barn, complemented impressively with the red-painted milk churn, or
the bright white window frame and white lattice, echoed by the white
stripe around the churn and the snow engulfed in the foreground.
That scene alone would be eye-catching enough, but into it we
introduce an impressive element, namely a venerable, well used,
sturdy, rusting, deep- blue bicycle. The addition of this sterling
mode of transportation, with its burlap-lined pannier basket gives a
dramatic boost to the rustic setting, and greatly enhances the story
telling aspect of the whole scene. For example, even with the
presence of a touch of snow, the empty saddle evokes countless
thoughts of the person or persons who ride or have shared this time
– worn blue bicycle. The strong graphic design is further enhanced
by the significant presence of a rusting metal frame affixed to the
barn in the top-right quadrant of the picture. That this frame is a
lovingly shaped heart completes the whole scenario, leaving us with
a delightful image that could proudly grace any wall at home, or as
we see here, with great distinction in this exhibition. One would be
remiss if I did not mention that the soft lighting adds a
distinctive glow to the bold colors, creating a rustic scene of
immense charm, warmth and love.
Above it All This monumental image, complemented so strikingly
with an impressive custom-made frame, would be a conversation piece
in any Art or Photographic Gallery.
How this compelling abstract design was artistically
photographed we should not dwell on, what is of paramount
importance, is what it conveys to the viewer. What do we see and
experience, both visually and emotionally? Can we relate this image
to our own reflections?
There are no restrictions, no preconceptions, no prejudices, even
though our thoughts and ideas are re-enforced by our culture. To me,
I see this fascinating image in religious tones, of pain and
suffering, but also of hope for the future. I can certainly
perceive, or at least imagine, the rivers and streams of blood,
reflecting the pain and suffering of generations, crossing whole
continents, and every landscape.
It is only a short step to envisage the broken and cracked
veneer of life’s very existence, eroded through countless centuries
of sorrow and despair, so clearly outlined throughout this dramatic
fresco. All of this can be of monumental significance, but it is the
“fingers”, stretching from the center of the image, reaching for the
symbolic circular design, that speaks of hope for the future. The
broken nails on the fingers speak of the hardships and hazards on
life’s way, and some fingers are turned as though their faith is not
strong enough to overcome the evils and setbacks that face them.
Thankfully, most lines, streams and cracks radiate towards the goal,
scarred with blood, with rivers still to cross, but hope and faith
still beckons us, and we know that we will eventually make it,
whatever obstacles are in our path. This remarkable photograph, a
truly powerful abstract image, has tremendous meaning and strength
to those who take the time like I did, to study it in great detail.
A truly wonderful, thought-provoking image, beautifully presented by
Kay Vergo. | ||||||||
Image City Photography Gallery ♦ 722 University Avenue ♦ Rochester, NY 14607 ♦ 585.271.2540 In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts |