Peter Marr's Picks of the Exhibit
	Disney Concert Hall, Front Los Angeles By David Bleich One of the architect Frank Gehry’s most famous building designs is the Disney Concert Hall. This internationally recognized architectural and cultural landmark represents the power and grandeur of the Arts, and embodies the unrivaled energy and creative spirit of the city of Los Angeles. The striking exterior of curved elements are built entirely of stainless steel, and the entire assembly is a work of art in form and function. David’s breathtaking and superlative image of Frank Gehry’s masterpiece creatively and upliftingly interprets the scene, expanding our vision and admiration for the subject matter. By combining his photographic prowess with the masterly use of digital techniques, he has elegantly produced an outstanding print that is remarkable in its insight to both show reverence to Frank Gehry’s concepts, whilst allowing every viewer the opportunity to witness and appreciate this outstanding image. One can imagine early morning sunlight cascading over the concert hall, turning the stainless steel curved structures in its path into a dazzling color display of warm yellows and oranges all the way to more subtle hues of pinks and magentas. This astonishing range of hues which change in value the further away the curved steel elements are from the light source do not stop amazing us. One is aware that as our vision extends into the shadow areas, a whole new range of colors is insightfully revealed, ending in deep blue and even black hues. The entire building is bathed in a fantasy of spectacular colors, and excitingly, these multi-varied hues have the added value of revealing the intricate details of the curved steel panels construction, and emphasizing the effortless flow of these elements as they interact across the entire design structure of the Concert Hall. Resplendently printed and face mounted in acrylic media, this remarkable image is a great tribute to all of David’s many exceptional talents, resulting in a sublime and awesome print that truly honors Frank Gehry’s landmark architectural achievement. Peter Marr
	Falls in Fault Iceland By David Bleich This magnificent landscape evokes the rugged grandeur and nobility of both nature and Iceland, expressing the passage of time across the land with serene eloquence. This is a place of organic harmony in relation to the natural world, a concept that is greatly enhanced by the large panoramic format and the 3-dimensional feeling that puts the observer right at the scene itself. Nature continues to amaze us in its awesome construction ability to create scenic wonderlands like this. Impressively, one is aware of at least 6 distinctive horizontal strata, bisected by a fault line of volcanic basaltic rocks that are a mixture of dark browns and grays in color, and irregular in size and shape. In the layers above and below this rock structure one finds clusters of hardy green shrubs and vegetation, growing and clinging on to every space possible where the rocks and presence of soil however poor in nutrients, allow them to survive. In the layers above the ridge, the sunlight creates lovely yellow colorations to the sparse vegetation, whilst beyond this layer there is shaded open grassland, eventually ending in the far distance with a sliver of sky that contains a few dark clouds. The true glory of this Icelandic vista are the multiple waterfalls which effortlessly stream down into the river below. Depending on the rock structures above the river, these flumes of water create their own scenic descents, all beautifully illuminated by the strong ambient lighting. The waterfall on the left side of the print is particularly impressive, creatively and imaginatively cascading down and around the layers of rocks in its path before gracefully entering the river. Other falls make a more direct descent, but in doing so, they reveal imposing vertical rock structures containing erosion streaks which are a vibrant yellow in color that contrasts brilliantly with the browns of the rocks. These falls are like none other that I have seen for they do not originate from any visible source, but they channel through unknown courses. The river into which all of the falls empty into has a fascinating grandeur and beauty of its own, including delightful wave formations so the water flows over hidden rocks before it moves rapidly downstream. Although David was fortunate to find and explore such a scenic wonderland he has creatively photographed and interpreted this landscape to perfection, resulting in an inspiring and powerful image, one that nature is proud to be part of. Peter Marr
	Washington Grove #3 By Lisa Cook Lisa’s exhibition of Black and White prints in the Neuberger Gallery have an ethereal and magical quality, as well as displaying emotion, intuition and poetic beauty. In “Washing Grove #3” there is quiet light which generates mood and atmosphere, a fitting background in relation to the enchanting story of life, death and regeneration in the forest. Like many of Lisa’s uplifting prints there is a profound emphasis on soft lighting which creates reverence and a feeling of calmness and peacefulness. Only fog and mist can come into this forest’s domain where there is visual continuity and the light through the scene blends beautifully. The lower contrast levels in the background still show detail and creative separation of the trees as they stretch vertically up into the unseen sky. Visually more prominent are 2 large tree trunks which have fallen to the ground and a large accumulation of leaves. It is the massive horizontal tree in the foreground that attracts our attention. Once a giant in this forest glade it has finally died and crashed to the ground. This once formidable leviathan starkly reminds one of a powerful ogre or monster commonly seen in children’s fantasy books, rearing up with arms and legs outstretched, with a large pointed head with one eye that glaringly surveys everything around it. Although fierce in appearance, enough to scare away visitors to these woods, it is in fact a gentle giant, carefully sweeping up all of the downed leaves. The ecologically- informed creature is slowly decomposing and wants to ensure that the gathered leaves will join with him in a quest to breakdown their structure into humus, that will serve to enrich the soil for all the trees and vegetation in the immediate vicinity. This valuable duty will also give help to the many insects and animals in this forest by acting as a nurse tree log like many other dead trees do, particularly in rain forests. This delightful and expressive print has been creatively seen and captured, and wonderfully illustrates one of nature’s important life cycles.   Peter Marr
Gallery Partners' Picks of the Exhibit
	ZEN by Dick Thomas A single, solitary tree centers this wonderful photograph by Dick Thomas. This is not an ordinary tree, but one that has an almost corkscrew trunk, rather than the straight trunks we are used to. The viewer immediately wonders if this is a trait of this particular species of tree or if some outside forces made this tree into a “bonsai”.    There are multiple layers in this photograph, a strong foreground an intermediate layer and a mysterious background of what looks like giant, mature trees.  The use of multiple layers makes this landscape more complex and interesting.  Greens are the predominate color, and the shades and intensity of the greens vary based upon what layer one looks at. Putting the strange tree in the center, rather than off center, initially focus your view on it, then the eye is allowed to explore the foreground and the background. This photo allows both the enjoyment of an excellent landscape and, more importantly, makes you wonder about the meaning of this photo…why a lone tree and what does it symbolize, why a tree with a strange shape, and other questions.  Asking unanswered questions and making you think is the mark of an excellent photograph.
	Lower Falls Footbridge by Steve Tryon As Steve points out, he is a frequent guest photographer at Image City Photography Gallery and he never disappoints. This series of photos were taken with an Argus C3, or what Steve lovingly calls “The Brick.” It’s a short but strenuous walk down the steps to the Lower Falls at Letchworth, and the further you go the spray sometimes creates slippery conditions. However, the walk becomes worthwhile as you move down river from the falls on the marvelously built depression era bridge and walk along the east side of the river. Seen from this viewpoint, the Lower Falls are a couple hundred yards upstream and the Genesee cuts a sharp path through the mostly shale rock at this area of the river. Steve’s black and white canvas print allows the foliage to melt into the background, while the rock and shale of the gorge is complemented by the brick of the bridge and the walkway. There are usually many people on this bridge and along the walls of the gorge, especially in summer, but Steve waited until only a few, perhaps a family, were standing on the bridge. The group provides a nice dimension to the photo and creates a perspective of the size and power of this gem that we have on our doorstep to enjoy.