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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.

 

Gallery Picks of the Show

Different Worlds
Joel Krenis, Steve Malloy Desormeaux, and John Solberg

Peter Marr picked his favorite photos of the featured and guest artists
and also describes the strength of the images he has chosen.


 
                                                                                                                                                                            

All images copyright by the individual photographers

 

No Biking Today by Steve Knapp

No Biking Today
by Steve Knapp

In this impressive exhibition in the East Gallery, Steve Knapp’s images delightfully complement those of Sid Mann. Although Steve has on display excellent prints that creatively capture life and scenic beauty of the Finger Lakes and its environs, I chose No Biking Today to comment on, because of its dramatic simplicity, high visual impact, and a mystery factor that I would love to know the answer to. Here, in monochromatic splendor, stands a lone tree isolated in a desolate snow-laden landscape, its only companion being a solitary bicycle leaning against its trunk, sharing with the tree the solitude and the inclement weather. In this seemingly peaceful setting there is a heightened awareness, drama and atmosphere that is truly compelling. By any stretch of the imagination this is not a beautiful or memorable tree. Bereft of any leaves due to winter’s harsh hand, the main trunk and branches form a haphazard, almost lop-sided structure, yet there is a delicacy and elegance in the branches and cascading thin limbs, that ultimately draws one to a picture of admiration for this lone sentinel. The more one looks, the more one appreciates that in this seeming wilderness, there is a proud survivor filling the landscape with its presence. Returning to the solitary bicycle, its rugged frame sporting a basket in the front, the possible contents of which are unknown. This impressive vehicle is snow covered like the tree, but the real mystery is that there is no indication of any footprints or human presence. I would leave it up to every observer of this powerful image to put forward their own theories as to how this bicycle and the tree became inseparable companions in this stark landscape. This is an amazing image, artistically seen and recorded by Steve, and it is touching that although the tree and the bicycle are isolated in a snow-filled landscape, they are among friends in the gallery, surrounded by gorgeous color prints.

 

Acrobats #1 by Joel Krenis

Acrobats
by Joel Krenis

This impressive print is part of a series of images taken at a circus that are simply breathtaking and awe-inspiring. The prints are a great tribute to the consummate photographic and artistic talents of Joel, who has captured the high drama and astonishing acrobatic skills of the performers brilliantly. It is pertinent to add that in my mind, his captivating images would not have been possible without advances in digital technology and cameras, certainly, no color film could have produced such high quality results. In Acrobats I, the electrifying act of the circus performer launching him through a small opening is imaginatively enriched by the fabulous color palette of the acrobat’s elaborate and distinctive costume. The vibrant multi-colored hues of the latter are just incredible, exhibiting an astonishing range of vivid, saturated colors, their high value being augmented to the fullest by the intense black background, all of which combined, result in a spectacular 3D effect. The four connected hoops that we see provide a powerful vertical element. They are very colorful in their own right, and provide an imposing target, floating effortlessly in space, strongly reminiscent of the five Olympic rings that symbolize the ultimate athletic challenge. Here, the ultimate test maybe to entice the acrobat after he has successfully negotiated the mid-level ring, to perhaps attempt to leap unscathed through the topmost hoop. Such speculation is a minor thought compared to one’s admiration for this sublime image, and for a circus act, this print is as near to perfection as one can get for outstanding color, artistic design, and the masterly capture of climactic action, a truly memorable print.

Winter Mailbox by Sid Mann

Winter Mail Box
by Sid Mann

In the author’s exhibition of striking images, I particularly admire his artistic vision, his impressive use of color, and his great attention to detail. I chose Winter Mail Box to comment further on, because not only does it encompass all of these qualities, it has a tremendous visual impact, together with a mystery factor that is intriguing, even to the casual observer. In this especial print, we are aware of a very mature metal mailbox and a plastic newspaper tube that are affixed to an old machined wooden post, the entire assembly being jammed into a well-rusted large metal can, one that is very reminiscent of a vintage milk churn. In addition to these post attachments, there is a red circular reflector and an old weathered board which has some stapled messages, details of which are incomplete, with missing letters and even words, victims no doubt of the sands of time. The deep snow and part of a disused truck in the background complete the entire scene. The color palette is outstanding, helped immeasurably by the diffuse light and the mantle of snow which accentuates particularly the primary blue and red hues. Although one is always aware of the jarring anomaly of the bright blue tube, the main focus is on the incomplete words boldly displayed on the weathered board. The reason for this is that the black lettering is set on a red surround, the vibrant color echoing that of the reflector and red paint splotches used to try and cover up the rust and deterioration of the mailbox. The detail in this stellar image is excellent, and as one visualizes the obvious results of the passage of time, it is pertinent to notice the delightful weeds growing out of the milk churn, a subtle reminder that nature is forever taking advantage of every available situation. The real mystery here is as to why the snow has not been shoveled in order that postal and newspaper deliveries could be achieved. This begs the question that who would dare to deliver anything in the face of the private property and no trespassing messages, plainly evident in spite of the missing words. A truly delightful and thought-provoking image, artistically seen and captured for everyone to enjoy and explore.

Staying in the Hunt #2 by Steve Malloy Desormeaux

Twilight Criterium
by Steve Malloy Desormeaux

Steve has thrillingly captured the aura and electric atmosphere of the Tour de France, a spectacular event which represents the pinnacle of professional cycling, in his impressive images of the Criterium, a two-hour race through the streets of Rochester, a thrilling contest conducted at night time under the city lights. The 1 mile circuit is a challenging venue for individual and team honors, resulting in spirited and dynamic competition. The blurred motion of the participants wonderfully captures the incredible speeds these professional cyclists are able to attain, especially since they are racing over decidedly less than smooth road surfaces, and under variable artificial illumination. In these striking prints, in spite of the fast pace, the focus and intensity of the riders is clearly visible as they dance on the pedals almost in unison. The vibrant array of the multi-hued team colors of each cyclist are superbly highlighted against the blurred street backgrounds and the often linear lines of the ghostly street lights. What may not be so obvious is that highly competitive races like this Criterium, and of course professional tour events, are predominantly team events, each team supporting one or possibly two of their members for individual honors. Although man and machine are definitively and majestically captured in these expressive images, one is very aware that besides teamwork, for any successful outcome, there has to be a great deal of engineering and mechanical support, as well as each competitor having an arduous fitness regime and a total dedication to the sport. I hope that these terrific images draw every observer into the world of professional cycling, especially watching some of the competitions at first-hand.

 

Stories in Stone by John Solberg

Stories in Stone #6
by John Solberg

Being limited to just one selection from John’s wonderful exhibition was almost an impossible task. His superb images from a single hike in the Adirondacks result in astonishingly beautiful and captivating B/W prints, that are unsurpassed in impact and tonal quality. Contrast this with John’s exquisite color prints of “snapshots” of rocks and stones on the Maine coastline, and one can easily understand my dilemma. I finally settled on Stories in Stone #6, although I almost chose #1, where I was captivated immediately by the loving family relationship of the stones, where parents and children nestle together, the closest of harmonies, despite the constant erosion by the Atlantic Ocean over eons of time. This is a remarkable example of how families can co-exist for endless centuries, despite the relentless forces of nature trying to separate them. In #6, the smooth stone features and the delicate pointilistically applied colors of #1, are replaced by sharply delineated flowing rock fissures, with powerful diagonal lines dissecting the landscape, and where the color palette is spectacular. Instead of stones, there is a rock terrain par excellence, where form, texture, detail and beauty all contribute amazingly in unison, exemplifying the rugged grandeur and nobility of nature. The rocks exude a myriad of spectacular warm and cooler hues, colors which reinforce the shapes and textures of each individual member of this impressive landscape. Into this complex hard-edged neighborhood of stunning radiance, nature has woven in a series of delicately carved features. There is no doubt in my mind that the latter are the mirror images of New York’s Finger Lakes. On the rugged coast of Maine, it was not possible to have permanent waterways, so the rocks themselves were carved by nature in shape and color to resemble narrow ribbons of water, and it was left to a gifted photographic artist to reveal them to us. In #6, as in all of John’s “Stories in Stone” images, he has demonstrated extraordinary vision to reveal intimate details of amazing rock and stone formations, resulting in uplifting stellar prints for every observer to study and be inspired by.

 


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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