Early Sunday Morning – A model for something more…

Hopper, Edward
Early Sunday Morning
1930
Oil on canvas35 x 60 in.
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

I’ve always been drawn to the work of Edward Hopper. Something about the beauty of a quiet calm moment and the pause that I feel when looking over the work.

There is an interesting passage in “Beauty in Photography” the collection of essays by Robert Adams, published by Aperture. From the essay “Truth and Landscape”, where Adams is describing how making photographs has to be a personal matter, somehow the photographer has to be in the picture…

“…what we hope for from the artist is help in discovering the significance of a place. In this sense we would in most respects choose thirty minutes with Edward Hopper’s painting Sunday Morning to thirty minutes on the street with what was his subject; with Hopper’s vision we see more…there seem to be moments of revelation…there is a sense of comprehension.”

Adams goes on a bit before this into the three elements landscapes should offer: geography, autobiography and metaphor – the intensity of which these three are present raises the artistic act of what we all “work to keep intact – an affection for life.”

There is something in the painting “Early Sunday Morning” that resonates with me. Perhaps it is the title of the painting that sets up the framework for entering the quiet moment he chose to portray. I imagine being there alone in the first warmth of the sun, separated by the empty space of the street and before the activity of the day sweeps us up into the constant motion of the day to come – you have the chance to just see the quiet poetry of the storefront. The rhythms of windows, doors, curtains… awaiting the activity to follow, a haircut, a drink – a place to eat. If, as Adams writes, Art asserts that nothing is banal, then a work such as this is definitely a model for something more enduring in our everyday existence and it is worth searching for these moments in photography.

…examining the threshold at which ordinary visibility ends and perception begins ….

Scott Peterman’s – Ice houses

If you’re in Portland, don’t miss these works by Scott Peterman showing currently at Charles A. Hartman – Fine Art.

Scott Peterman – Harmons Beach

2001

c-print- 30 x 38 ½ inches

Scott Peterman – Spider Island II

2002

c-print 28½ x 40 inches

These are some of the most beautiful prints I’ve seen. Meticulous – down to the wonderful no-glare layer of glass (plexi?) and ever so carefully framed – minimal and highly refined thin line frame. It’s like a Swiss watch timepiece. I have to say the presentation of these “vernacular architectures” plays a huge role for me anyway in the reception of the photographs. The contrast of the shack presented in this way elevates them them along with the atmosphere constructed with-in each photo.

My personal favorite (not pictured but you can find it here) – tongue in cheek: a precious construction meets W.R. Grace – “ice and water shield” a black membrane coated ice house… – Perhaps you’ve heard the term “black ice”? You just couldn’t possibly pack anymore wonderful contradictions, opposites, and visual jokes into one image and its presentation.

Terrific stuff – don’t miss a chance to ogle them – right next to the BlueSky gallery - a concentration of up and coming and established arts in the Pearl District – Portland.

By the way… I noticed a similarity here:

Daido Moriyama
Title, Negative date:
Stray Dog, Misawa, Aomori, 1971
Medium, Print date:
Gelatin silver print, 2007
Notations:
Signed in pencil on verso.

and

Charley by Alec Soth

(sorry for your loss) and I, (and I suspect more than just a few others) miss your posts Mr. Soth… Charley was clearly not a Stray Dog with out a family.

…examining the threshold at which ordinary visibility ends and perception begins ….

A Sputnik Inheritance…The 50th anniversary

“Men announced a new age”…

The inner turmoil that Hagen felt on “Sputnik Night,” as 4-5 October has come to be called, reverberated through the American public in the days that followed. Two generations after the event, words do not easily convey the American reaction to the Soviet satellite. The only appropriate characterization that begins to capture the mood on 5 October involves the use of the word hysteria. A collective mental turmoil and soul-searching followed, as American society thrashed around for the answers to Hagen’s questions. Almost immediately, two phrases entered the American lexicon to define time, “pre-Sputnik” and “post-Sputnik.” The other phrase that soon replaced earlier definitions of time was “Space Age.” With the launch of Sputnik 1, the Space Age had been born and the world would be different ever after.

“A harmless little sphere” that changed a world’s view of itself…

“Picture positive proof” You could see it if you knew where to look…

And so it goes. I wonder if we’ll have a 100 anniversary? Will we figure out how to change our ways of “using” resources – to live more within our means? Or will our footprint be so large that we stamp ourselves out to oblivion…

Change begins by asking yourself… what am I doing?

…examing the threshold at which ordinary visibility ends and perception begins ….

On-line exploring: Established / Emerging Photography

I’m always excited to explore on-line photography sites where you come across both emerging and established photography work.

Flak Photo – edited by Andy Adams is one such on-line source for me. Whether it is the work highlighted by inspiring artists, or new work of unknowns, the opportunity to see and pursue a thicker slice of work such as Approaching Nowhere Photographs by Jeff Brouws is enriching. Along with that, I’ve been fortunate to be able to share some of my own work and that has undoubtedly encouraged me to continue to pursue my photographic interests.

Photography is one of those arts that has the potential to be a truly accessible and democratic art – practiced by amateurs and artists alike for private or public audience the photograph serves it’s purpose – to record and to share – perhaps sometimes even to inform and inspire.

…examing the threshold at which ordinary visibility ends and perception begins ….