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Volume 2, Issue 22
October 12 - October 25, 2000 |
Garret Kolb
Spirit, the new photography exhibit at 3rd Eye Studio and Gallery Photography Cooperative, opened last Friday in its gallery at 214 Santa Fe Drive. This show followed the cooperative's wildly successful opening exhibit, Chaos and Order, which attracted approximately 300 people to its opening night on August 18. The show will be on display on Saturdays from 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. through October.
The 16 photographers in the show were challenged to do the full process of their work, from concept to hanging, within one month, according to Erik Mart, the owner of 3rd Eye. The artists ranged in experience from students and amateurs to fulltime professionals.
The artists' interpretations of the theme of "spirit" varied as well. Michael Edlen created a conventional series of hauntingly beautiful women and children through double exposure. Others explored broader spiritual, emotional or religious themes. Sometimes the artists included veins of humor: the serene bridge and forest in Charles Rakey's "Heart Attack Bridge" were screens for a heartattack victim and an ambulance. Even without irony, Rakay's set of lightfilled landscapes commanded a strong presence at the show.
Artist Patricia Holland explored "spirit" with an intimate series of photographs taken from her hometown in Montana. Shot from the child's perspective Holland had growing up, her work captures dilapidated buildings and dust without scorn or syrupy sentimentality, but nevertheless her pictures convey strong emotion. In one photograph, white stuffing coming out of a driver's seat looks comfortable and beloved, creating a sense that the driver will be there soon.
In his own work, Mart presented a series of models photographed from behind gauze. The resulting images are layered, with clear separation between the model and his or her shadow. "The shadow is like a spirit within, an alterego, and the material brings that out," said Mart. "It creates a caricature of (the model's) face on the body-- but it's his shadow."
Rose Moore's photographs depict a more structured view of "spirit" through works reflective of neopagan religion. The first, "Blessed Be," overlooks a group embrace among women at a goddess celebration. With necklaces spun around to dangle down their spines, the women share friendship and a circle of faith. Moore's other pictures are similarly warm, featuring lovers, nature, her family, and children.
Poems accompany Moore's work. Part of the requirement for all of the exhibiting photographers is that they write artist's statements for their works, according to Mart. "It tells the viewer something about the artist's process and beliefs, and the theme," Mart said, adding that a "writing assignment" to go with each piece is an example of 3rd Eye's role of a "school without a classroom."
Aside from being a gallery, 3rd Eye is also a working studio. Members of the cooperative, who pay a fee to join, also get use of the studio space and darkroom during the week when Mart is not using it for his professional work. According to its mission statement, 3rd Eye was formed to "celebrate photographic artists and their medium through collective participation and exhibition."
"It's about reaching out to the community and getting to show artists who wouldn't necessarily get a chance to show elsewhere," said Mart. For some of the artists, 3rd Eye's exhibits are their first shows. "The only requirements are good work, framing and interesting pieces," said Mart, "but it's growing. We may need to be more selective in the future, or do shorter runs of the exhibits."
In order to meet the group's ends, the artists "go on little photography
jaunts together," said Moore. They also brainstorm ideas for assignment themes for
the exhibits, said Mart. Upcoming shows may feature such subjects as place,
sexuality and trash. The shows are accompanied by homecooked food and live
music.
--Kate Williamson
For more information about 3rd Eye, call the studio at 303-893-0924