Juried Alternative Show: (s)Light of Hand
September 19th - October 17th, 2020
Opening Reception September 19th, 2020 3:00pm-7:30pm
Reservations (required) for viewing the exhibition Click HERE to sign up.
Juror’s Statement
Alternative Process photography caters to one of our most essential human aspirations: to make things with our hands. Filled with uncertainties and sand traps — chemistry, light sources, papers and treatments — there is a joy to be had when the photographic gods smile, and we hold a wondrous finished print in our hands. This satisfaction of unified vision, craft and materials far exceeds that of typing Command-P and waiting for yet another inkjet print to appear.
I often use the term “intentional photography” in my lectures and workshops. As accessibility of the medium has ripened, photography has become more casual and nonchalant than in times past, occasionally with an accompanying disincentive to invest time and effort toward the final printed image. Alternative Processes effectively put the brakes on this trend. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no virtue in difficulty itself; there must be a reason to suffer the indignities of smelly chemistry, handwork and time expended.
Photographers are drawn to alternative processes for all kinds of reasons, some worthy and some not so virtuous. The good news is this show contains impeccable examples of practitioners who understand why and the how to exploit the beauty and intrigue of the handmade photographic print.
Yes, there must be a reason — an intention if I may — for working in Alternative Processes. This exhibition reveals reason and intention in spades.
Dan Burkholder
CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW GALLERY
September 19th - October 17th, 2020
Opening Reception September 19th, 2020 3:00pm-7:30pm
Reservations (required) for viewing the exhibition Click HERE to sign up.
Juror’s Statement
Alternative Process photography caters to one of our most essential human aspirations: to make things with our hands. Filled with uncertainties and sand traps — chemistry, light sources, papers and treatments — there is a joy to be had when the photographic gods smile, and we hold a wondrous finished print in our hands. This satisfaction of unified vision, craft and materials far exceeds that of typing Command-P and waiting for yet another inkjet print to appear.
I often use the term “intentional photography” in my lectures and workshops. As accessibility of the medium has ripened, photography has become more casual and nonchalant than in times past, occasionally with an accompanying disincentive to invest time and effort toward the final printed image. Alternative Processes effectively put the brakes on this trend. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no virtue in difficulty itself; there must be a reason to suffer the indignities of smelly chemistry, handwork and time expended.
Photographers are drawn to alternative processes for all kinds of reasons, some worthy and some not so virtuous. The good news is this show contains impeccable examples of practitioners who understand why and the how to exploit the beauty and intrigue of the handmade photographic print.
Yes, there must be a reason — an intention if I may — for working in Alternative Processes. This exhibition reveals reason and intention in spades.
Dan Burkholder
CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW GALLERY
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