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Peter's Picks of the Show January 2-24,2010
Peter Marr picked his favorite
photos of the show
All images copyright by the individual photographers
This “Juried Theme Show” is comprised of 186 prints from 96
photographers. Some “WOW” synonyms are wonder, admiration, amazement,
stunning, rave and zowie, just to name a few. For me, this exhibition is an
unqualified success, and I have enthusiastic admiration for the amazing
diversity of artistic talent that is displayed in this show. I would implore
everyone who comes to see this exhibition to spend as much time as they can to
intently look, explore and admire. Unfortunately, we are in a technically
advanced world of “Nowness” and “Instant Gratification”, but here in the
Gallery, we can relax and take the time to marvel at what talented photographers
are showing us.
Peter A. Marr
Orange Twist This is an
excellent example of how the author has artistically captured,
what many would think of as a mundane photographic opportunity,
to give us a dramatic, thought-provoking “WOW”. Of the multitude
of people who have treaded these steps, I would guess that very
few have enjoyed or admired this lovely spiral structure. Who
could not fail to see the powerful black central column with its
almost equally powerful black vertical supports? Katherine
certainly did, as she also saw the beautifully formed and
graceful gray-colored steps, and captured them so eloquently and
gracefully as they curved majestically around the central
support. The exquisite soft lighting captures every detail of
the step patterns, continually drawing our eyes to the
delicately curved support rails that dominate the right hand
side of the print. Here, there is drama and impact, with not
one, but two bright orange-curved rails, mysteriously entering
the foreground, and sweeping downward out of our vision.
Strikingly, the orange color is mirrored in three fallen leaves,
left by nature on one of the steps. We also see companion leaves
blown into the protective wire cage. The entire scene is
graphically and artistically superb, wonderfully seen and
photographed. The more one studies this print, the more one
loves and admires it. I encourage every observer to journey up
and down these steps, to follow the curving path, and let one’s
imagination do the rest. Adventure and mystery can be boundless,
and certainly we must thank the author for allowing us to
explore, and also thank her most sincerely for capturing so
beautifully this lovely image.
Listen All three of
Loree’s ethereal, dramatic Black-and-White prints evoke the “WOW”
sensation, and they are wonderful examples of pictures that provoke
visual concern. In
“Listen”, the juxtaposition of three portraits of a young lady with
different thought-provoking expressions is compellingly done.
The viewer is encouraged to expand their feelings and
emotions by using the visual cortex to interact fully with their
cerebral hemispheres. If
you need help, or possibly more confusion, I am reminded of one of
my favorite bumper stickers, which states, “Don’t believe everything
you think”. These
striking and emotional portraits are certainly enhanced by using
Black and White media, and the deliberate use of motion.
Scanning left to right as we always do, the young lady has a
quizzical sideways expression, as thought processes race through her
mind, such as “do you really want me to let loose?”
In the center image, thoughts and ideas are coming to a head,
so that every neuron is ready to fire on all cylinders in the
cerebral cortex.
Dramatically, all senses join in a universal chorus in the third
portrait, unleashing a torrent of feelings of rage, anger and
passion. Maybe this last
image gives us a sense of relief that all has been let loose, and
now we can really “Listen”.
Loree has done an exemplary job of putting together this
fascinating triptych.
Both beauty and fear are in the eye of the beholder, so I hope that
everyone who studies this “WOW” image, will do so intently, and
possibly relate it to one of their own situations.
Many thanks for a great inspiring image.
Tuscan Retreat Of Chris’s four
superb images in the exhibition, this print stands out as my very
favorite. This panoramic landscape is just riveting in its dramatic
appeal, a landscape that expresses a sublime moment in time with
serene eloquence. The expressive lighting highlights every
fascinating detail, from the furrows in the fields, all the way to
the delightful, romantic buildings which are wonderfully
complemented by the striking trees, nature just could not have
placed the latter any better. Certainly the author, or any landscape
printer, could not have placed all these elements more impressively,
even the background hills and sky effortlessly join in to enrich
this idyllic scene. It would be remiss if I did not comment on the
fact that the color palette is truly resplendent, from the
delectable warm colors of the fields and buildings, to the pale cool
shades in the background. This print is an exceptional,
awe-inspiring image, one that we all owe a deep sense of gratitude
to Chris for artistically seeing and capturing this superb
landscape.
Festival Artist We have experienced
countless photographs of budding young artists painting on walls, mostly at art
shows and festivals, but this enchanting image is certainly one of the very best
that I have seen. The young girl’s striking natural pose, leads the eye on a
fascinating journey from the expressive left hand and arm, through the rapt
concentration of the tilted head, all the way up the right arm to the delicately
held brush, which is applying the splashes of deep red paint to a masterpiece in
the making. We are certainly aware of a word that is being spelled out,
important no doubt to the young lady, but for the viewer, we are just entranced
by the whole scene. What is especially captivating is the delicate pink costume
of the young lady, with the large butterfly bow gracing her flowing hair that is
topped with a miniature tiara. We are inspired by someone clearly enjoying every
moment and opportunity in her life, certainly this was her chance to make an
important, expressive and colorful mark on this wall. The fence and the already
completed artwork are impressive, and both blend very well into the overall
picture. This allows us to be very aware of the lovely background, whilst we
fully concentrate on following the artistic skills and dedication of this
youthful artist to be. This is a wonderful, dramatic and poignant image, full of
color, shape, form, power and delicacy, an image that the artist and her family
will treasure for all time.
Al Capone’s Cell, E.S.P We should be deeply
indebted to Thomas for his three fascinating studies inside the now derelict
Eastern State Penitentiary. These are intimate photographic records of a bygone
era, and are powerful portraits that allow us to imagine how life must have been
within the grim, decaying walls of this prison. What is most intriguing, is the
outrageous antithetical comparison between a typical inmate’s cell and Al
Capone’s cell. We go from a bare bones, stark, cold and uninviting “habitat”, to
a warm, almost inviting bed-sitter. It is obvious that Al Capone still had
powerful connections, so that he could spend his last years in what prison cell
terminology would call a state of opulence. The cell interior has been
masterfully captured by the photographer, where the warm lighting from the two
ornate lamps easily transports us past the writing desk and chair, over the
rich, elegant carpet to the entertainment center in the rear. One is obviously
aware of the peeling walls, the rusted iron-framed bed, and other evidence that
time has dealt a cruel blow to these once luxuriant and lavish prison quarters.
The meaning for all of us in studying Thomas’s excellent print is that a
life of crime unfortunately can pay. Admittedly, Al Capone at least was deprived
of freedom outside the walls of the penitentiary, but he was rewarded with most
of the comforts of life, to live his last years in comparative luxury, in a
5-star prison cell. Such ignominy is very apparent when one studies Thomas’s
impressive and memorable image.
Roseate Spoonbill in Flight
Close-Up This is a nature picture
that is simply awesome, metaphorically speaking, “a shot to kill for”. The shear
beauty and exquisite harmonic colors of the roseate spoonbill, have been
superbly captured in a powerful, dramatic, sweeping “landscape” that is just
breathtaking. To me, it is astonishing that anyone could take such an
outstanding nature close-up, in flight no-less, to give us a sublime portrait
that only a great artist could paint. The flowing curves of the wings, with the
delicate feather detail delineated so wonderfully, lead effortlessly to the
powerful sweep of the neck and bill. From there, one visually absorbs every
detail on the pathway to the head and dramatic eye of this fabulous bird. The
range of pinks and reddish hues are resplendent, and the compressed, sweeping,
panoramic format gives us a true sense of wonder and inspiration at how great
nature is. The author certainly has to be highly complemented for his remarkable
achievement in capturing such a phenomenal image. | |||||||||||||
Image City Photography Gallery ♦ 722 University Avenue ♦ Rochester, NY 14607 ♦ 585.271.2540 In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts |