Making a Statement
I dropped off the artwork at Wug’s this evening. It’s been hard to really get into the spirit of things, with so much to do to get ready. Hanging out with Wug, watching him group and re-group the images it started to sink in.
Mostly though I just wanted to sit. I’m *really* tired.
On top of the editing and matting and framing work to get this show put together I wrote the artist’s statement. I thought I’d include it here in a post:
It is a common theme among modern photographers that the advent of digital renewed their love of photography. I started in high school, when my father helped me buy a Canon AE1 35mm SLR. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but gave it up for quite a while, partly because of the expense of film and processing and partly to pursue other interests. I was reminded how much I enjoyed photography with the purchase of a small digital camera some years back. I’ve since moved to Nikon digital SLRs. The photos in this exhibit were taken using a variety of lenses from quality consumer zooms and primes to professional zoom lenses.
My dad was an avid hunter, and while I really didn’t enjoy the early mornings and cold days shivering in various state forests, I think this time spent with nothing to do but look and listen (and sometimes nap) taught me to sit quiet and watch.
I think this is where I first learned to see. Over time, whether downtown or in the woods, lining up the world and noticing details has become something of a meditation.
A while back a quote in a photography podcast really struck a chord: “Photographers are professional noticers.” I took this to heart and started to think of my daily practice as time spent Noticing; and I endeavor to capture what I see.
This happens in various ways, sometimes catching the intricate details or beautiful light as it is, and sometimes being drawn to an interesting subject but refusing to take it at face value. This project represents time spent practicing the art of seeing. These are the fugues and minuets that sprang from thousands of frames spent on scales and arpeggios.
If you can make it to Wug’s on Friday I’d love it. There’s no entry fee or anything like that, and there’s free convenient parking right there. We’ll be there from six to nine.
His place is also open from noon to four on Fridays and Saturdays if you’d like to swing by some other time.
