Happy to be showing work from the Sand Dollar series in a one night only Group Show!
FRIDAY ONLY
November 5, 2010
6-11 PM
1315 SE 9th Ave
Portland, OR
Artists: Jessica Breedlove, Jason Fiske, Kristen Flemington, Josh Latham, and Matt Niebuhr
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Hope to see you there.
Shameless self promotion alert!
Launching an update of my personal work at a new location on the internets…
Departing from the usual posting of interests in other’s work, I’m happy to announce something of my own appearing in a Group show – December 6, 2008 – January 2009.
As economic events – local and world wide – unfold, this image takes on additional narrative qualities: is the reason the season? And of consumption as it truly becomes apparently unsustainable, I continue to ask myself this question: What do we value? Why? Perhaps in the reflections, or a simple sign, a hint…
100 x 100 PHOTO organized by the Barcelona art gallery Espai [b]
“Every Season, Every Occasion, Every Day!”
60 cm x 40 cm – on aluminum sheet
limited edition of 100
More information: www.espaib.com
More information on other work here: Matt Niebuhr in an updated form.
After a more famous Wall Street, originally uploaded by Matt Niebuhr.
The photograph above is of Custom Stamping and Manufacturing – owned and operated by the Stoudt family for over 45 years.
In light of the rather dramatic actions of the past few weeks with regard to America’s credit market melt down – I’d like to post this photograph. I made this photograph In the context of knowing about a very famous Strand photo of Wall Street 1915.
To compare the formal qualities are fairly obvious, what matters to me is the symbolism. It seems to be that these are the places we should hold in high esteem. These are the places where things are still made, here things are transformed from intangible ideas to tangible elements.
It’s easy to see – and Strand shows us quite plainly it seems to me in his photograph – the smallness of the individual against a looming, shadowy and opaque ”American” icon – namely Wall Street. Some 90+ years later and we find ourselves yet again faced with trying to understand what looms behind the window of Wall street. It’s time to pull back the curtains and shed some light on the subject.
It was well said of a certain German book that ‘es lasst sich nicht lesen’ — it does not permit itself to be read. There are some secrets which do not permit themselves to be told. Men die nightly in their beds, wringing the hands of ghostly confessors, and looking them piteously in the eyes — die with despair of heart and convulsion of throat, on account of the hideousness of mysteries which will not suffer themselvesto be revealed. Now and then, alas, the conscience of man takes up a burthen so heavy in horror that it can be thrown down only into the grave. And thus the essence of all crime is undivulged. – Edgar Allan Poe, (source)
Let it be obvious then, that some good pictures might also be more like some good writing. It’s no mystery really, but rather the power of observation that matters most in achieving this elusive goal – good pictures that is.
Empty street corner - Night approaching - Matt Niebuhr, 2007
It seems to me that you need not go to the extreme of making up your own version of reality – not withstanding that fact that you can – if you are too impatient. But merely you must practice your own powers to observe what’s happening from multiple viewpoints – and then when the moment occurs – be as ready as you can… What comes after a picture (or story) – is interpretation – which is the role of the observer – is something you can try to anticipate – but to my mind should never lead the way.
Broken Ears, originally uploaded by Matt Niebuhr.
I came across this little Ethiopian cafe shop the other morning. I find it interesting to try and get a read on the neighborhood by the activity and objects found in these little displays – little arrangements and messages – partial dioramas. A hint at a world that might be just behind the glass. Promise, allure, little short stories. Work to be done. Invitations to come in off the street or to go away – move along. These windows are filled with potential – like photographs themselves – pictures framed hung by the sidewalk – already made.
Welcome to America’s Favorite Thrift Store! © Matt Niebuhr
An interesting quote to consider from Smith’s The Wealth of Nations: ”It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.”
Assuming that you might qualify, how will you choose to put your economic stimulus payment to good work?
UPDATE:
Brian Ulrich has been doing a series on the theme for some time… above and this variation below is my take on it….
Group show – December 6, 2008 – January 2009
100 x 100 PHOTO organized by the Barcelona art gallery Espai [b]
“Every Season, Every Occasion, Every Day!” – Matt Niebuhr 2007
60 cm x 40 cm – on aluminum sheet
limited edition of 100
More information: www.espaib.com
