Gallery Photographers
If you are unable to
visit our gallery and would like to purchase photographs from
this preview or other's in the gallery, please contact the gallery
and call
585-271-2540. |
August 13 - September 7, 2008 Reflections Stanislaw Goc
Peter Marr picked his favorite
photos of the show All images copyright by the individual photographers
Reflections
by Stanislaw Goc This
memorable exhibition is a truly fascinating study of reflections, by
an artist who has amazing visual perception and masterful
photographic technique. Reflections are not only what the eye sees,
but what the mind perceives. When we see in the present, we also
reflect on thing past. We listen to the voice of our heart, but our
thoughts are very personal and not universal. One should look at
each image and explore both visually and emotionally what it means
or conveys to you. At first glance, we are looking at reflected
images of cityscapes, people, vehicles, etc., captured as three
dimensional vignettes with thought-provoking “icons” in store
windows or other reflecting surfaces. These “icons”, be they
mannequins, models, posters, photographs, cut-outs, or even real
people, present the real fascination in this intriguing exhibition.
What I see is a reality check. The reality of the reflected
background image is factual to us, and we accept the visual
distortion that often results, whereas the reality of the image
behind the glass (i.e. inside the store window) provides a sharp
contrast, as another world observing.
It seems that we can follow at least three paths in our
reality check of each print, paths that can definitely overlap.
Firstly, we can just admire the picture just as it is presented, and
I hope that we will do this for every print, as they are so deserve.
Secondly, we can try and relate the image in the window with the
reflected image outside, and thirdly, we can explore the image
behind the window itself, and perhaps ask ourselves if the magic
mirror is disclosing otherwise unseen truths.
I personally believe that we
are not looking at real people or parts of real people as reflected
images, we are experiencing actual images of people in photographs,
posters, cut-outs, etc., as real as they often seem. What we see in
the unique outstanding display are countless thought provoking
images, a few of which I have briefly outlined below:
This is a superb, haunting reality check of a beautiful
young woman transfixed by headless, clothed mannequins. Is
she “real” – no, only as a photograph or poster, but the
resulting print has a powerful symbolism of the “real” vs.
“unreal”.
“Reflections – Portrait 2”
“Reflections – Portrait Pendleton” In
“Reflections –
Portrait Woman in Green”
These images are much more obvious reality checks of posters
of beautiful women, looking definitively into the future,
rather than into the past or present.
“Reflections – Politically Correct 3” Nice
An
absolutely wonderful image, so intense, so powerful. Who
could not imagine that the man was a real reflected person
looking over the mannequin’s shoulder. The expressive eyes
are incredible, even for a man in a poster (or photographic
print). A superb, intriguing reality check. There are countless, memorable images in this
exhibition, far too numerous to comment on here, but especially look
at the prints that have facial close-ups, culminating in the very
dramatic print “Reflections – Her Ego”, displayed just inside the
gallery entrance. The eye is
so very real, although it is on a print, peering into our reality,
into our thoughts, into our minds.
Life in
by Josh Bulriss Among many fine images that Josh has on display,
this outstanding print is the one that really moves you as something
very special. Beautifully
seen and captured, this almost monochromatic study has subtle
splashes of subdued colors that call attention in a quiet, but
meaningful way. The dominant element is of course the bicycle,
resting somewhat uncomfortably against the stark uneven wall.
The inverted wash-bowl and
plain white garment, together with the uneven and broken brickwork
in the foreground, and crudely patched wall, all suggest a
financially impoverished dwelling. The other very powerful element
in the scene is an open doorway, strong and powerful, but in dire
need of repair. The totally
black interior yields a faint glimpse of unknown objects, an old
container sits inside the opening, and there are wires and cracks at
the top of the doorway, aimlessly disappearing out of the picture. I
would like to think that the interior darkness and apparent poverty
is not one of total despair, for there is a shaft of light
illuminating the left hand side of the picture, cascading over the
sneakers in the immediate foreground, a ray of hope perhaps for
better times ahead. This image is a truly thought provoking and
meaningful study of a small segment of life in a far distant land, a
unique picture that demands one to study every detail, an image that
is fascinating, powerful and very meaningful in today’s world.
by Mark D. Whitney
| ||||||||||||||||
Image City Photography Gallery ♦ 722 University Avenue ♦ Rochester, NY 14607 ♦ 585.271.2540 In the heart of ARTWalk in the Neighborhood of the Arts |