photography

In Her Garden

Dom Lombardi — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 13:34:21 +0000

In Her Garden Dom Lombardi December 23, 2021 - 08:34

Topics

Art Review

Tags

photography

Installation View

A Photographer In Her Garden: Featuring Sandi Daniel

Coast Contemporary Gallery, Rhode Island

The pandemic has had an incalculable effect on so many lives that it's hard to think life will ever be normal again. Culturally, creatives have had the trajectory of their careers, their way of thinking and processing drastically altered in ways that we may never be able to fully process or understand until years from now, when we can look back and analyze the related output. One such artist, Sandi Daniel, whose usual approach to her craft has been completely altered by a lack of movement or travel, leading her to investigate the only option left to explore -- her own immediate natural environment -- to look for that elusive magic that so often accompanies the act of far-flung exploration.

With the unfortunate addition of a broken printer, Daniel had to find a new path forward to creating prints. The cyanotype, that blue and white, blueprint-type image generated by contact printing with any variety of liquids including cyanide on photosensitive paper was her choice, bringing back to Daniel's art, a distinctive dreamy quality that has often defined her work.

Weeds (2020), double exposure wet cyanotype, 20 x 16 inches

Daniel's exhibition at the Coastal Contemporary Gallery is a beautiful, fluid, and fanciful interpretation of indigenous flora that typifies the ages old expression "stop and smell the roses," as she looks more deeply and thoughtfully into her very own garden of delights close at hand. Leaves and light form lyrical passages that can cascade down a wall as an unfolded, handmade artist's book or in multiple layers that produce on one sheet, where faux flashes of filtered sunlight come to mind, as best experienced in the wet cyanotype titled Weeds -– a look that was more than likely created using multiple layers of shifting exposures.

The Lake, I am thinking, is a bridge work between the previous transfer work and the cyanotypes, and one of the more haunting works that remind me of pinhole photography set into an artist's book bound with toned cyanotypes. The intimacy, and perhaps the voyeuristic feel of the elusive presentation, gives this object its distinctive visceral affect.

The Lake (2021), 5 x 5 inches closed & approximately 5 x 20 inches open

Also striking, are the aforementioned color photo transfers on Sekishu Paper where an even more delicate representation of wittingly withering flowers nearing the end of their beauty cycle actually become more attractive and engaging. It's not hard to understand when walking through this exhibition that Daniel is pairing the timelessness of nature with a deeper understanding of its predictability as a metaphor for our own time on earth. What we see in nature, if we take the time to experience the subtleties, is so much about being present and never taking for granted the strength there is in its wisdom.

Purple Beauty #2 (2021), 24 x 16 inches

A Photographer In Her Garden: Featuring Sandi Daniel will be on view at Coastal Contemporary Gallery in Newport, Rhode Island until the end of January, 2022. For more information visit CoastalContemporaryGallery.com.

Add new comment

Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution!

Dusty Wright — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:16:56 +0000

Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution! Dusty Wright July 24, 2012 - 11:16

Topics

Literary Review

Tags

photography

I recently emceed a very cool smart culture event for Blackberry's Playbook (digital tablet) at their pop-up shop in Chelsea. Not only did I conduct interviews with artist Peter Max, blues pianist Henry Butler, and indie band The Kin, but with two outstanding rock photographers -- Mick Rock and John Scarpati.

Mick is the more well-known of the two, having captured iconographic rock images from the late '60s through the '70s of Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Queen, Sex Pistols, Blondie, and more. But John has done amazing work as well, just during a different time period on the West Coast, more specifically L.A. bands during the '80s. Many folks have seen his photos of Fishbone, The Cramps (image left), Jane's Addiction, Poison, L.A. Guns, Social Distortion, Redd Kross, et al. He did album covers, press photos, magazine shots, and more. He was one of them -- so much so that sometimes it meant losing money on some of his setups for outstanding photos.

His purchase-worthy book Cramp, Slash & Burn: When Punk and Glam Were Twins is a fascinating exploration of the L.A. punk and glam scene in the '80s. To augment his lens work, John asked those folks he photographed to share stories about that time period, specific written snapshots remembered by them. Making it available as a 12" x 12" (same size as LPs) or 7" x 7" only adds to full-on experience. Knowing his meticulous attention to detail when setting up his subjects and shooting, his work never seems contrived or over-indulgent. The photos all seem rather easy and off-the-cuff.

Mick is just the opposite. This Cambridge-educated artist used his camera's eye as his paint brush, snapping shot after shot until he found the gem in the lot. Given his proximity to his legendary talent, you can tell that he was more of a fly-on-the-wall photographer, and that his willing victims felt totally at ease with him and camera. But don't be fooled by his casual manner, as his shots for album covers for David Bowie, Queen, Iggy Pop, and more have forged and continue to forge lasting impressions on music and art lovers everywhere. One only need peruse his latest book, Mick Rock Exposed: The Faces of Rock 'N' Roll, to bear witness.

The wonder of both photographers is that they continue to capture enduring images of many chart-topping and critically lauded contemporary music acts today. Mick has several new books ready, while John promises to work on his next effort.

Sometimes all we have left to remember our youthful culture are the images captured during those "heady" days. I would encourage you to explore what these two fine artists have made available. It may even help you to remember.

Jim Marshall - The Dusty Wright Show

Dusty Wright — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 20:40:39 +0000

Jim Marshall - The Dusty Wright Show Dusty Wright April 24, 2010 - 16:40

Topics

Tags

Photographer Jim Marshall shares stills and stories from behind his lens and the 100% trust afforded him by many of rock music's biggest icons. And check out the new documentary -- Show Me The Picture -- on Jim Marshall. It will be released soon.

Subscribe via Feedburner or Subscribe via iTunes

All in White

C. Jefferson Thom — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:52:53 +0000

All in White C. Jefferson Thom July 28, 2009 - 07:52

Topics

Art Review

Tags

photography

Photo Credit: Bob Gruen

Lennon: The New York Years - Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, NYC Annex

If Rock is a religion, then John Lennon is at least one of its highest ranking prophets, if not the messiah himself. Aside from the holy scripture of his music, Lennon also left behind relics, some of which are currently on display at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, NYC Annex. For the devote follower of the Late Beatle, it is these relics which will make this exhibit worthwhile, whereas the average Sunday-Beatle fan stands a better chance of learning something new about one of rock 'n' roll's greatest martyrs. The look of this one-room showing is idealistically white, matching John and Yoko's famous white room in the Dakota apartment they shared as well as complementing the overall saintly focus of the exhibit. Don't expect to see any of John's flaws displayed on these pristine walls. Any stains have been wiped clean. This seems to be a deliberate choice and, though it leaves some stones unturned, it works, allowing the focus to settle almost exclusively on Lennon's time in New York City and what he accomplished there. The museum provides free headphones, which are activated by sensors to play the intended songs and audio clips for each display as you approach them. This is a little more fancy than the usually museum audio gear and works well, as long as you don't mind the occasional intrusion of the wrong audio clip at the wrong display. The Talking Heads rock, but it took me a minute to figure why I was listening to "Girlfriend is Better" while looking at Lennon's green card. Lennon's green card is one of the must-see items in this showing that canâ€™t be viewed anywhere else, and John's cracking smile in the identification photo is the most human touch of the exhibition. It is accompanied by a comprehensive collection of letters related to the singer's threat of deportation from the U.S. government and leads one to consider the mental health of a country that would seek to banish such a treasure. The green card display, along with lyrics scrawled on hotel room stationary and a few other keepsakes, combine to make the strongest argument for paying the $30 it costs to enter this exhibit. With some diligent Internet searching, almost all the other video and audio material could be found for free, though experiencing it all together in one reverent setting has its own value.

Photo courtesy of Bob Gruen

Pinup Fantasies

Dusty Wright — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:55:16 +0000

Pinup Fantasies Dusty Wright December 15, 2008 - 19:55

Topics

Literary Review

Tags

photography

Hollywood Pinups by Timothy White (Collins Design)

Some of my most profound pubescent mam... er, memories were the sensual and voluptuous pulp illustrations by Alberto Vargas. His luscious renderings were fuel for any red-blooded male. New York photographer Timothy White created this photo book as a continued exploration of his 1994 commissioned homage for the 50th Anniversary of the Esquire Magazine's Varga Girl pinup.

Housed in a delicious red slipcase with a glossy black flap jacket, this picture book is sumptuously executed. White traveled near and far to capture his "pinups" at great expense. Moreover, 100% of the proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to Oxfam America.

The beautifully ageless Susan Sarandon, friend of Mr. White and once photographed by him for a Time magazine cover, wrote one of the two forwards for the book. Current Playboy editor Christopher Napolitano wrote the other. And he, like myself, is a "freaking" fan of Tea Leoni (image above left). (Is it just me or doesn't Ms. Leoni seem to be sporting a very fetching Joey Heatherton vibe?)

His former boss Hef featured many a luscious illustration of these scantily clad, desirable women. Mr. White has become one of our greatest celebrity photographers, in some ways replacing the late great Herb Ritts. His 20+ years of work is suffused with more than a nod to the macho era of male fantasies. His last coffee table book paid loving homage to deceased friend and East Coast King of Chopped Bikes Indian Larry.

His work in such magazines as Rolling Stone, aforementioned Esquire, and Vanity Fair often captures the more playful side of famous celebrities. From macho men Paul Newman on a super mini bike to Harrison Ford on a Pee Wee Herman-style bicycle, these are men that know and trust their images with Mr. White's lenswork.

But I digress... Evocative photos of famous women are nothing new. From Bridget Bardot to Marilyn Monroe to Madonna, we have grown accustomed to the power of the female form. In his original Esquire homage, to achieve the impression of an illustration Mr. White used airbrushing, pieces of fabric and Photoshop to recreate the desired effect.

Of course, working with the natural beauty of Felicity Huffman, Susan Sarandon, Kate Hudson, Angie Harmon, Vanessa Williams, Molly Simms, and 17 other sirens required scant manipulation, mostly their famous female forms framed against a white or black backdrop and accented by spiked heels by Christian Louboutin, a drape of cloth (scarf, corset, satin skirt, hats, even a 15-carat diamond G-string), and diamonds.

Pinup fantasies are a rite of passage. From the soldier in the field to worker in the shop, they are a constant reminder that the world swerves on a woman's hip. Thank you, Timothy for affording us more reminders.

Purchase thru Amazon

Seduction By Camera

MargaretRoleke — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:20:05 +0000

Seduction By Camera MargaretRoleke October 21, 2008 - 08:20

Topics

Art Review

Tags

photography

Bill Henson: Tame!

Robert Miller Gallery, NYC

After Australian photographer Bill Henson's recent show in his homeland in which images of naked adolescents were seized from the wall and the show was shut down, I was expecting a controversial reception here in New York. With our economy in shatters, no one put up a fuss. But why should they? This show is a beautiful, formal exhibit of powerful and pleasing images. There is nothing shocking or offensive. Instead it is a show of a mature artist presenting well-crafted and sensuous photographs.

Henson's twenty-three large color photographs (50' x 70') are a mix of landscapes, architecture, and figures with a few compelling still lifes thrown in. The presentation is quite elegant and fills the expansive gallery nicely. All of the images are all shown mixed together, not separated out. This placement accentuates the formal qualities of the works and creates a visual dialogue amongst the images. Subject matter seems less important than formal characteristics.

The show is really about light and lighting. The subjects are either dark and dusky landscapes suggesting the mystery of the twilight hours or dramatic figures and still lifes that employ chiaroscuro. Although the work is reminiscent of master 16th century painters, the images also resemble stills from a film noir. In many of the portraits, the eyes are closed or looking away, they are rarely confronting the viewer. What I was most struck by in the figures was the rich variations in skin tones, and the intensity of seeing the blood vessels, kind of like high definition TV with dramatic lighting. This show is definitely worth a look.

The Naked Truth

Dusty Wright — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 03:04:03 +0000

The Naked Truth Dusty Wright December 1, 2007 - 22:04

Topics

Literary Review

Tags

photography

Touch: Naked Girls Home Alone

by Peter Gorman (Goliath)

In his latest book, Peter Gorman's camera is a voyeur figuratively hidden inside a mirror. He has an extraordinary eye for capturing the day-to-day life of real New York women who aren't huffed and puffed and all airbrushed up. Their surroundings are real, not phony sets with lighting and make-up and an attending entourage of distracting assistants. As you can guess, this is not your Girl Next Door coffee table anthology. These are gritty, sassy, attitude-forward women expressing themselves -- sometimes seductively -- in front of mirrors, in bathrooms, in bathtubs, on beds, basically in their private sanctuaries behind the curtains of their New York City apartments. Sporting tattoos, piercings, birthmarks, blemishes, skin discolorations, etc., these are uncompromising portraits that capture a moment in time that are far richer than ordinary nude photographs. Each expressive image exposes the miniature of the women and their surroundings. Who are they and what do they do? What the observer leaves with is the visceral pulse of young women in touch with their bodies and expressing themselves with straightforward honesty. If you've often wondered what women do by themselves in the privacy of their own domiciles, then look no further. These brave women have allowed Mr. Gorman to capture their very private and very vulnerable moments.

Purchase thru Amazon