"Point of View" at Gallery 21

"Cactus Dahlia" by JOHN VALOIS, photographer
IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

Hello All.

Currently running at Gallery 21, in Spanish Village Art Center, is "Point of View", an exhibition of Photography and Digital Art. The show runs from July 7-July 19, 2010. The exhibition features six talented photographers and digital artists. They are Phyllis Weiss, Lev Tsimring, Arthur Lavine, Dana Levine, Janine Free and John Valois.

It is a lovely and innovating mixture of subject matter and techniques that invites the eye, stimulates the imagination and touches the emotions. "Point of View" is open 7 days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Gallery 21 is located at 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, in the heart of Spanish Village Art Center.

Arthur Lavine was a freelance photographer in New York in the '50's and is considered a part of the New York School of photographers. His works have appeared in Newsweek, Glamour, Fortune, Look, Life and Parade to name a few. Dana Levine has a PhD.in Biochemistry. She spent her professional career as a scientist and educator, but it was her interest in fine art and painting that eventually led her to digital art. Janine Free grew up in France. A workshop with Canadian photographer, Freeman Patterson, along with her extensive background in film making, launched her career into digital photography. Lev Tsimring's passion for photography started in Russia over 30 years ago. A theoretical physicist, no less, by profession, Lev zoomed in on digital photography and creates his own limited edition prints.

Phyllis Weiss' talent and visual awareness is clearly apparent in her capture of floral images. I especially like the image of the magnolia blossom where the stamen have fallen onto one of the petals. This amazing shot hails to Phyllis' true understanding of "capturing the moment". John Valois, primarily self-taught, likes the flexibility and range of possibilities offered by digital photography. Having started as a painter, John appreciates the feel and textures created by the brushstroke, and transfers this knowledge into his digital work. He quotes Ezra Pound as saying, about the definition of an artist's image as, "an intellectual and emotional complex in an instant of time". I think Ezra and John have a clear understanding of the transfer from the real to the digital image.

As a matter of fact, as accomplished photographers, so do they all. Do visit this intriguing show in Gallery 21, and let their visions transport you to a new awareness. They have "captured" images, moments in time and emotions that stir and evoke the senses.

I do have to say that John Valois', "Cactus Dahlia", gives me pause. Not because it is my favorite flower, but because it so resembles a "real painting" with his very clever use of the brushstroke tool. "Photoshop, I presume Mr. Valois"? You give us poor "brush" painters a bit of an alarm!

All right, Mr. DeMille. I'm ready for my "close up", now!


Written and posted by Cassandra Shepard, Studio 32
text and content copyrighted, 2010, all rights reserved



"Boy, Columbia" by ARTHUR LAVINE, photographer
IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED