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If you are unable to visit our gallery and would like to purchase photographs from this preview or others in the gallery, please contact the gallery and call 585-271-2540.

 

Peter Marr's Picks of the Show

Holiday Show 2011

November 30 - December 31, 2011

Peter Marr has picked his favorite photos from the show by the guest photographers
and also describes the strength of the images he has chosen.

click here to return to the details of the exhibit

                                                                                                                                                                             

All images copyright by the individual photographers


Climate Change by JFK/AJVK

 

Climate Change

by JFK/AJVK

 

Like all of the author’s dynamic, artistic constructions, enthusiastic viewers should project their own imagination onto the photograph to see what they want to see. It is an impressive example where a photograph is experienced as a heightened emotional response, like music or poetry. The print itself is a tour de force of impressive bold vectors and arcs, interfused with ethereal flowing elements that exude flair, excitement and pizzazz. The color palette is superb, with huge swathes of warm red, orange and yellow hues that illuminate the right hand side of the frame, before sweeping into deep blue and black expanses on the left, definitely representative of a stark climate change from the hot to cold. Out of this enigmatic setting, akin to a phoenix rising from the ashes, emerges a beautiful youthful maiden, her golden dancing hair impressionistically mirroring her dress detail, whilst above her head there is a majestic swirl of colors that eventually vanish into the cold, black sky. It has been said that there is no such thing as objective vision; we choose all the time, what we see. Our memory, which is about 50% of our vision, contradicts the objectivity of vision, and as all our memories are different, we see differently. Thus in the author’s compelling and outstanding print, what I envision is an active volcano, where the deep fiery-red magma issuing from deep inside the earth, spews out, forming delicate flowing patterns that constantly change color as the volcanic liquid cools. What we visualize is not just a large temperature differential, but a vast time change, as material, millions of years old, erupts from the volcano, and is transformed into new life and expectation, as depicted by the wonderfully delicate portrait of the young lady. Although the lava is composed of flowing shapes of an infinite variety, we are reminded in the print that there is order in the world above, typified by the strong vertical and diagonal lines and circular motifs. This is a fascinating, haunting print, wonderfully conceived and constructed.

 

 

Jekyl Island by Steve Malloy Desormeaux

 

Jekyl Island 1

by Steve Malloy Desormeaux

 

This is an impressive, idyllic landscape, where the magical, diffuse lighting reinforces tranquility and pervading charm. Together with the serenity and visual wonderment, one can enjoy the almost total silence, no crashing waves, only the fleeting murmur of a wave softly lapping the shoreline, no raucous gulls to disturb the quietness, no human or animal intrusions to invade the peaceful panorama. This is a slice of heaven on earth for everyone to enjoy. One is very aware of the stark, powerful structure that effortlessly frames the endless stretch of burnished sand, together with a sliver of gently moving sea water, and a large expanse of cloudless sky, which through the faint haze you can discern the remnants of a setting sun that has just disappeared over the horizon. Could this elegant formation be an artistically shaped piece of driftwood, or could it be the remnants of a large tree, which once graced the seashore, only to become a victim of the relentless erosion that is all to common on this exposed coastline? Certainly its dramatic shape is reminiscent of a fiddler crab, a species that is probably very common in this area. The lasting memory that this enigmatic landscape has besides its incomparable beauty, is that we are in the presence of nature in an august moment of gentleness and quietness. All too soon, a storm could suddenly invade this tranquil setting, and although such an event can be awe-inspiring, I much prefer the calmness and scenic splendor that Steve has so outstandingly given us.

 

 

Santa Fe, NM by Scott Matyjaszek

 

Santa Fe, NM (SFBBD)

by Scott Matyjaszek

 

I have long been an admirer of Scott’s “Photo-Sculptures,” and this superb rendition of a detailed element from an old door is illustrative of his innovative and distinctive style, an evocative piece with joyously varied colors and creative design. There is something deep and profound about a collage, and it is the key to escape from the old way of seeing, as it makes your eyes realize there is a change of surface, which gets us closer to our experience of reality. In this quintessential collage, the door has been intentionally left slightly ajar, tantalizingly inviting the viewer to enter in to explore the hidden secrets we know must be there. For once, I will pass up this opportunity so that I can visually and mentally traverse the exterior, where there is an abundant variety of vibrant colors and a myriad of impressive surface textures that combined are just priceless. The awesome design features are highlighted by the two weathered, curved door handles, where the strong side lighting dramatizes their form and shape, including forming two unique artistic shadows. It does not take too much imagination to visualize a distinctive living, if not human presence to these incomparable handles. The slim, curved bodies of the handles are anchored by substantial rounded feet, and the curved bodies terminate in head structures which are both highlighted by two piercing eyes and thin, closed mouths. One might question why one entity is situated higher than the other, and is also much more curvaceous, although I would not dare to suggest that there is gender discrimination. Certainly, these “person handles” are excited to live in such sublime, colorful surroundings, and they are equally excited to invite the viewer in to explore the rooms beyond. Some of us however, may be so taken with the visual treasures that are external, that we may not want to explore anything internal. A truly exciting and imposing collage, one in which the author has truly embraced creativity.

 

 

King Creche Patterns by Ted Tatarzyn

 

King Creche Patterns

by Ted Tatarzyn

It was extremely difficult to select which one of Ted’s outstanding photographs to comment further on, for they are all impressive and inspirational. I finally chose King Creche Patterns, for not only is it an extraordinary image in its own right, it beautifully illustrates that along with its close cousin, the Emperor penguin, these species are true wonders of the animal world in their relentless life-long struggle for survival in one of the harshest environments on earth. Ted’s idyllic image is a scenic extravaganza, where from a deep-blue oasis in the rocky terrain, we follow the imposing s-curve of a swift-moving antarctic stream, through the vast densely-packed colonies of King penguins, where the latter, fill every available land space, and even spill over into the frigid waters. Happily on this rare sunny day, the penguins, interspersed with groups of unattended fluffy brown juveniles do not have to huddle together for protection against a freezing blizzard, so they can all enjoy a short summer recess. Happily, scientific studies have revealed that chicks respond only to bass frequencies, which travel best through an intervening wall of bodies, so the first quarter of a second of a parent’s call is enough for recognition. Despite the potential pressure for space and resources, there is apparently little antagonistic behavior seen within a colony. It does take about nine months for a chick to fledge, so here in this impressive photograph, it is easy to envisage the love and affection of parenthood and the communal support in a sanctuary of fervent activity, anxiousness, and some foreboding, along with definite hope for the future of this and other like-colonies in Antarctica.


Peter Marr

We are very grateful to Peter for his thorough review and selection for Peter's Picks. Peter was born in England in 1935 and came to live in the United States in 1968. He worked for the Eastman Kodak Company for 34 years, retiring in 1998. During his employment and continuing into retirement, he has been an enthusiastic photographer. His photography has won him numerous awards throughout Kodak and in International Salons, including 5 George Eastman Medals, which is the top honor awarded to the most outstanding picture in the Annual Kodak International Salon. He has served as a judge in both local and international photographic competitions for the past 20 years, and is a Past president of the Kodak Camera Club and past chairman of many of the Kodak Camera Club organizations. In the past five years or so, he has devoted his photographic skills and interest into nature photography, notably bird photography. His bird photography has been the subject of several one-person exhibits, the most recent being at Ding Darling NWR, in Sanibel, Florida, The Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York, and at the Webster Public Library in Webster, NY.

  
 
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