NYC Inspiration

A recent visit to New York afforded me the opportunity to look at lots of great art (in addition to photographing a client – more in next blog).  If you’re headed that way before April 10, DO see the Stieglitz, Strand, Steichen special exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum. Stieglitz’s images of O’Keeffe (especially her sculptural hands) are sensual; Steichen’s three Flatiron prints are brooding.  And one must appreciate the science AND artistry of these works.   While I love digital imaging, these pieces include silver platinum, gelatin silver, palladium, photogravure and gum bicarbonate over platinum – far more than just a click of the shutter (believe me, I’m not minimizing the “click” and the timing thereof).  And the autochromes, made with potato starch and dyes, were magnificent!  These early photographers had to master both the visual medium and the science of chemical compounds, papers, exposure, etc.

While in Chelsea, the Parkeharrison pieces from The Architect’s Brother, really blew me away.  The haunting, highly constructed images are based on a concern for the environment and include RC prints on panel, hand painted and layered with encaustic and photogravures.  Beautiful, eery, multilayered. I have to have their book!

And, of course, had to check out Staley-Wise and Janet Borden Galleries.  Always great photography in these two galleries on lower Broadway.