"The Drama of Objects"

 (I confess I am playing catch up with some of my posts!)

 

 

In August of 2011, I attended the Art Gallery of Ontario's exhibition "Abstract Expressionism" and while I knew there would be painting and sculpture to view, I was not prepared to see photography. I don't think one thinks of photography when they think of the Abstract Expressionism period.

Needless to say, I was stopped in my tracks when I came across the works of Aaron Siskind. (1903-1991) Siskind, like myself began his foray into photography at a later age. He was given a camera in 1930 as a wedding gift, and began taking photos on his honeymoon.

In the early 1940's he increasingly started creating abstract photos of forgotten and discarded items, facades, graffiti,and isolated figures. Like myself, he was drawn to the things that are abstract in our environment, lines, shapes and texture.

 

A major difference of course is that he was using black and white film, where as today I am using a digital camera. In his 1945 essay "The Drama of Objects" he asked the viewer when looking at his work to "Move on objects with your eye straight on, to the left, around to the right. Watch them grow large as you approach, group and regroup themselves as you shift your position. Relationships gradually emerge and sometimes assume themselves with finality. And that's your picture."

I was inspired to once again go back to my earliest group of photographs that were taken at a time when I had done little research or exposure to any of the 'greats' and was just learning the ins and outs of my camera. I then took it one step further, and keeping in mind his quote from the essay, removed all the colour from my images so that it is only the texture, lines, and patterns that you now see.

I was immediately taken back by how much the colour had played into my original emotional reading of the photograph, and now I have to re look, re think about these images taken from the streets of Toronto. At first glance, one might overlook them and write them off as boring. But if you do as Siskind asks and approach the images from different viewing points, you may find that the image becomes more layered in emotions.

Finally, I want to end these notes with another quote from the Abstract Expressionist painter Adolph Gottlier:

" I frequently hear the question "What do these pictures mean?" That is simply the wrong question. Visual images do not have to conform to either verbal thinking, or optical facts. A better question would be "Do these images convey any emotional truth?"

 

***The last three abstract photos are Siskands.***

Urban Textures Revisited....

Last weekend while I was sorting and editing some of the floral abstracts I have been posting I had one of those a-ha! moments. It had suddenly dawned on me to go back and take a look at one of my earlier subjects and then re-interpret them with some of the new skills/techniques I have learned since then.

So out came the camera and the umbrella and I headed over to one of the more colourful spots in Toronto, Queen Street West. The first time around I had focused on Urban Textures as I was actually viewing them, and only used composition as my way of expressing how I was seeing them. This time, it was still about the colours and patterns, but less about fine details. I decided to experiment using the same techniques I have been using with the floral images, and my Kaleidoscape series.

The result is an explosion of colours, and some wonderful, (in my opinion) abstract shots. I can't wait for my next day off, and hope to build up the portfolio with a few more...

Here are a couple for you to take a look at..

Flowering Cherry

It has been a busy, but productive spring. Mother Nature seems to be in a rush as most flowering trees are about 2 weeks ahead of their normal blooming times. Forsythia, Cherry, and Lilac trees all seemed to bloom at once. I wasn't able to get out and get as many shots of the cherry blossoms as I would have liked, but this shot of some great pink blooms is from a recent walk to Riverdale Farm.

On another note, I am happy to report that I just have just had an opening night reception for my first public showing of my textural work. 17 images are currently on display at Freedom Clothing Collective, at 939 Bloor Street West. Hours are from 1 to 7 from Tues to Sat. I also have a second exhibition coming up shortly that will feature 7 images on a different theme, so stay tuned for details.....

Hope to post more often, but I thank you for being so patient!!

Spring colours

So today was a bit of a blue day. We were supposed to move this week into our new apartment, but due to legalities, insurance issues, and unorganized inspectors, it didn't happen. None of it from my end mind you. And my very stunning indigo blue, and scarlet red Betta fish, is dying. He is almost a year old, so he did last a long time. Yes, he is just a silly fish, but still it did not help the mood.

So to fight off the frustration, I suggested a walk to the Junction. This up and coming area is on Dundas Street West. It's a nice area, quiet, seems safe, and the architecture is mostly 1910-20's. Full of little cafes, antique shops, and hair stylists. (????) Not a Starbucks in sight. Yet.

Found this great little texture shot, and was immediately drawn to the cheery colours. Very spring like. Thought I would post it, and chase those blues away.

Colour Block

This shot is from last weeks walk on Queen West. I decided to venture down a back alley behind all the stores, and discovered the hub for urban textures. What attracted me to this little piece, was that despite all the different patterns, textures, and variations in colour, there was still an element of structure, or separation of parts.

It puts me in mind of a Rubics cube, and for some reason the 80's.

I stand out.

Lately my 'obsession' for texture has grown to a point that it takes me forever to walk a city block. Every post, pole, fence, paper or metal object causes me to stop and look at it from a different perspective. What seems like a disregarded or forgotten object can actually become a thing of interest, and perhaps beauty. This tattered poster almost escaped my eye as it was above my head. I took a few shots and of course noticed people looking at me wondering what I was taking photos of. In turn, I wonder where they are rushing off too. Don't they know the whole city is an Art Gallery, and they should slow down and take a look?

Honourable Mention 1

This is one of two photos that I received an honourable mention for in a photo contest held by the City of Toronto. I submitted around 64 images over a few month period, and recently found out I had placed 2nd and had two honourable mentions.

This photo was titled "Layers", and was taken in the Historic Distillery District. It is a segment of an old metal hatch that time, and weather have caused the paint to peel, and create multiple layers. It was also one of my early photos of urban decay, and the results helped spur me on to capture all things weathered, worn, and rusting.

I will post my other honourable mention when I find it amongst my few thousand photo files. :)

Texture 1

This is one of my urban texture shots I absolutely love. I am fascinated how time and weather create art out of man made objects. This brick wall was on Queen Street west, and it stopped me in my tracks. I took a couple shots of the wall, but this was by far my favorite, and it now hangs on my apartment wall.

It will be one of many texture shots, as I simply can not resist rust, peeling paint, and weathered wood. I hope to put a collection together of such items some day.