Notes on the New Photography Exhibit
by Howard M. Christopherson
Collaboration
In a world of struggles and on going human conflicts, each one of us is
bombarded daily with sad news, often left holding the bag and forced to
make difficult decisions. So... when a collaborative project comes around
and it works as well as this one, with 14 photographers and 2 printers
involved, it’s a good day to stop for a moment, and reflect on art,
beauty and the joy shared when people get along and work well together
to make something big happen. This show "is" something big!
Judging
When I put the call out for new images and created the guidelines for
entering I had no idea which photographers would respond and what kind
of images I would see. Since many of the proposals came in at the deadline,
I had moments when I wondered if I might have to cancel the project. The
packets of slides and artwork that came in before the deadline where processed
but I did not even peek at them, because I wanted to stay as neutral as
possible before I would do the selecting.
Being the only person to make the selection has it’s advantages,
I am the gallery owner and will be involved in the sales of the prints.
It also means that my choices will inevitably disappoint some and I will
have to send out rejection notices to the photographers that had entered
good work. Many of them are my friends. This is a serious job, but it
also one with many limits attached. This competition was for Minnesota
photographers only, that created the first limit. The gallery size and
wall space is a limiting factor. Artwork entered in group shows can end
up relating, complimenting or conflicting with some of the other pieces.
Some images stand alone, other pieces need two or three examples to really
get the idea across. Photographers who got rejected may have reached a
limit along the way, beginning with quality or in the end, how well does
it fit into this evolving group show.
Printing
John and Tony Twiggs (the brothers Twigg as I call them) at True Tone
did a phenomenal job making the prints along side this diverse group of
photographers. Following an experience like this one, each day testing
their limits of machines, software and computer skills they are ready
for any project you might bring. They completed this project successfully
and met the deadline of the show. It is the True Tone commitment to quality
combined with an understanding of the importance given to each photographer’s
image, down to the smallest detail, that really made the difference.
Framing
Icebox framing staff, Josh, Dea and myself have had the pleasure of seeing
the finished pieces before anyone else. Each time a new print was finished
and framed we stopped and admired it. The scale of the pictures created
challenges for framing. All the photographers voted as a group to frame
the show in the same frame and the resulting cohesiveness leads the viewer
smoothly from one image to the next.
Graphics and Website
From the beginning Walter Albertson has been involved in this show. He
created the wonderful image seen on the post card invitation, website
and posters. Walter started with a microscopic image showing the collision
of atomic particles and went from there with it. The graphic also has
a lens and a futuristic look with patterns that connect well to a showing
of digitally printed photography. A person is also found in his design.
Even with the help of machines like cameras and digital printers, it all
comes down to human emotions, passions and desire that make art. The display
on the website is wonderful to look at and easy to navigate.
Sponsorship
Paul Sigurdson approached me when I was in the midst of moving
the gallery with a very generous offer. Paul wanted to help the gallery
celebrate it’s new location by sponsoring a party. I was surprised
and speechless when he told me his idea. I said "Paul...hold that
idea, I like it but I need time to think about how to make the best of
it." I was heavy into moving, building walls and painting the new
space at the time. It was from this seed of generosity that I began forming
this project and what has now become an exhibit. Paul is a very good friend
and a lover of art and photography. He was a major player in the inspiration
of the show and a generous contributor to the printing and postal costs
required to get the word out. Need to buy or sell a home? Call Paul Sigurdson
at Counselor Realty.
James Page Brewery has it’s offices located in the same building
as our studio. A match made in N. E. Minneapolis Heaven! James Page is
a wonderful award winning local micro brew who offered generously to help
us out by satisfying the thirst of the opening night guests.
True Tone LLC generously produced the first prints used in this
exhibit at no cost to the photographers. This act alone helped insure
the success of the exhibit. It helped attract talented photographers and
made a consistency in print quality possible. Need printing? Call John
or Tony.
Walter Albertson donated his graphic and web skills to this project.
Walter intuitively created many useful materials and helped us be seen
world wide on the web. His creative contributions to this project are
immensely valuable. Walter the wizard can help you or your organization
with graphic art and web production.
Icebox Picture Framing donated much of the cost and expertise
to produce a show of large picture frames. The consistency in having all
the work framed alike contributes to the successful affect of the exhibit
and the discounted framing costs helped the photographers attain a very
attractive presentation and leaves them with some money for their next
roll of film. We would love to be your picture framer!
The Future
I discovered that this show is compressed in the Icebox space, since I
choose to maximize the size of prints the gallery is filled wall to wall
with pictures. Even if it is sometimes hard to stand back ten feet and
see the big prints it is still a good environment because this is first
home to these images. I have come to think of this show as something like
a rose opening slowly and here at Icebox the rose is still tightly wound
but it is blooming! Now that it is complete we are hoping that we can
tour this exhibit and give many more people the chance to experience this
artwork by these talented Minnesota photographers. If you have any ideas
or leads for us involving places to tour this exhibit contact the gallery.
Sales
All of the images in this exhibit are for sale. Each image has a price
calculated directly from the cost of its production and is intended to
very attractive to the collector. Each print is made at this large size
in a small limited edition of 25. After the first 15 prints are sold of
any image included, the sale price will increase for the remaining 10
images. Please contact Icebox Gallery for additional information about
how you can obtain one or more of these wonderful images. Icebox can pack
and ship artwork framed or unframed, in addition we accept lay-a-ways
up to 3 months, check, Visa and MasterCard to help make purchasing fine
art photography easy.
Icebox Quality Framing & Gallery survives on art and framing sales,
your purchases help us develop new exhibits and create new opportunities,
please consider a purchase of a fine art photograph and frame it at Icebox
today.
Return to the top
|
