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08 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Bill Vaccaro

Bill's work, Jesus is on the Mainline, is really interesting.
I have issues with faith, of course, doesn't everyone? But growing up without a faith tradition, and looking at what I call the trappings of faith, our outward expressions of our views, really can make you laugh, cry or say huh? alot. Bill's work lets me figure all that out in my own terms, reporting on who we are with a sense of humor, and tinge of sadness. Is this what its all about?


About the work -

I’m what my wife calls a recovering Catholic. I have vague childhood memories of sleeping with a crucifix over my bed as a child. I don’t know what gave me worse nightmares: The sight of a man nailed on the cross or the threat of eternal damnation.

As I grew older and began to question my religious teachings, I became more and more fascinated by the idea of Jesus and Christianity as a sociological or anthropological idea rather than a purely religious one based on faith. They are reflected in images such as a concrete statue of Christ off of a lonely two lane road in Western Kentucky or a barn in rural Illinois that proclaims “Repent!” to passersby. These photographs are my attempt to reconcile with my childhood memories, current beliefs, and with the wonder that I have for how others manifest their faith both internally and externally.

This project began with a road trip down I-55 to New Orleans a few years ago where I first came across these public manifestations of what I see as pure religious faith in the Bible Belt. The project’s name is taken from a traditional gospel tune popularized by Mississippi Fred McDowell about what it would be like to have a “main” line to Jesus:

Jesus is on the mainline. Tell him what you want. Call him up and tell him.

07 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Marni Shindelman

This work was so much fun - Marni and Nate Larson have collaborated on a series, Witness, that explores the idea of Remote Viewing and ESP. sort of wierd, right? The images and text that make up this collaboration between the two is clever, insightful and really creative.
Marni also has a series of her own called Souvenirs from Human, my Mammal that I
found really striking, for its humor, sadness and insight all wrapped up in a pretty mesh bag.

Here are a couple of Marni's images -

06 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Charlotte Watts

I was so suprised by Charlotte's really quiet, striking images. They have light, texture and really beauitful, soft muted colors, that are enchanting.











in her words -


We think that everything happens in the "blink of an eye", or "in a heartbeat", and that the camera catches those moments in time--stops the motion, preserves the instant. But yet, I think it does not. A photograph only continues the present, the idea. It takes time for the eye to see and longer for the brain to process; and for as many images which our brain can bring to the foreground, there are many more behind the scenes--brief "brainprints" I call them, or déjà vu--which return to us in dreams, or prayers, or song. These recurring photographs are memento mori--they remind us that we must die, and that is why they can be so powerful. They speak to us on multiple layers--appear and reappear in many different forms.

05 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Mark Jaremko

These big , beautiful night-scapes jumped off the page. Who doesn't love to look at city lights? Mysterious, romantic, illusionary, all captured in rich color by Mark. I thought these were fabulous.






















Mark's statement -

I have always been fascinated by the interplay of static and moving objects, and how mood is conveyed by color as well as composition. The peaceful and secluded nature of the night draws me in. I am drawn to scenes evoking tranquility, loneliness and isolation.

04 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Maureen Delany

Maureen has a beautiful series of self portraits in the landscape. These soft, sensitive, palladium creations are really lovely.












in her words -


The peace and quiet of the woods allow me to free my analytical mind as I feel more connected to my body and in turn feel the energy of nature.

03 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Rachael Jablo

Rachael has a great series on the Big Top...take a look.















I have always loved the circus. For me, the performance itself is secondary to the overall process- the building of personae and the transformation of space. Like magicians, circus performers create seemingly effortless acts under the controlled spotlight. However, outside that spotlight, outside the act, time moves slowly and rigs, props, determination, fear, elation and exhaustion fill the landscape with detritus, confetti and smeared greasepaint.
Shooting the circus, I am voyeur and exhibitionist, spectator and spectacle.

08 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Bill Vaccaro

Bill's work, Jesus is on the Mainline, is really interesting.
I have issues with faith, of course, doesn't everyone? But growing up without a faith tradition, and looking at what I call the trappings of faith, our outward expressions of our views, really can make you laugh, cry or say huh? alot. Bill's work lets me figure all that out in my own terms, reporting on who we are with a sense of humor, and tinge of sadness. Is this what its all about?


About the work -

I’m what my wife calls a recovering Catholic. I have vague childhood memories of sleeping with a crucifix over my bed as a child. I don’t know what gave me worse nightmares: The sight of a man nailed on the cross or the threat of eternal damnation.

As I grew older and began to question my religious teachings, I became more and more fascinated by the idea of Jesus and Christianity as a sociological or anthropological idea rather than a purely religious one based on faith. They are reflected in images such as a concrete statue of Christ off of a lonely two lane road in Western Kentucky or a barn in rural Illinois that proclaims “Repent!” to passersby. These photographs are my attempt to reconcile with my childhood memories, current beliefs, and with the wonder that I have for how others manifest their faith both internally and externally.

This project began with a road trip down I-55 to New Orleans a few years ago where I first came across these public manifestations of what I see as pure religious faith in the Bible Belt. The project’s name is taken from a traditional gospel tune popularized by Mississippi Fred McDowell about what it would be like to have a “main” line to Jesus:

Jesus is on the mainline. Tell him what you want. Call him up and tell him.

07 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Marni Shindelman

This work was so much fun - Marni and Nate Larson have collaborated on a series, Witness, that explores the idea of Remote Viewing and ESP. sort of wierd, right? The images and text that make up this collaboration between the two is clever, insightful and really creative.
Marni also has a series of her own called Souvenirs from Human, my Mammal that I
found really striking, for its humor, sadness and insight all wrapped up in a pretty mesh bag.

Here are a couple of Marni's images -

06 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Charlotte Watts

I was so suprised by Charlotte's really quiet, striking images. They have light, texture and really beauitful, soft muted colors, that are enchanting.











in her words -


We think that everything happens in the "blink of an eye", or "in a heartbeat", and that the camera catches those moments in time--stops the motion, preserves the instant. But yet, I think it does not. A photograph only continues the present, the idea. It takes time for the eye to see and longer for the brain to process; and for as many images which our brain can bring to the foreground, there are many more behind the scenes--brief "brainprints" I call them, or déjà vu--which return to us in dreams, or prayers, or song. These recurring photographs are memento mori--they remind us that we must die, and that is why they can be so powerful. They speak to us on multiple layers--appear and reappear in many different forms.

05 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Mark Jaremko

These big , beautiful night-scapes jumped off the page. Who doesn't love to look at city lights? Mysterious, romantic, illusionary, all captured in rich color by Mark. I thought these were fabulous.






















Mark's statement -

I have always been fascinated by the interplay of static and moving objects, and how mood is conveyed by color as well as composition. The peaceful and secluded nature of the night draws me in. I am drawn to scenes evoking tranquility, loneliness and isolation.

04 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Maureen Delany

Maureen has a beautiful series of self portraits in the landscape. These soft, sensitive, palladium creations are really lovely.












in her words -


The peace and quiet of the woods allow me to free my analytical mind as I feel more connected to my body and in turn feel the energy of nature.

03 August, 2008

PhotoLucida - Rachael Jablo

Rachael has a great series on the Big Top...take a look.















I have always loved the circus. For me, the performance itself is secondary to the overall process- the building of personae and the transformation of space. Like magicians, circus performers create seemingly effortless acts under the controlled spotlight. However, outside that spotlight, outside the act, time moves slowly and rigs, props, determination, fear, elation and exhaustion fill the landscape with detritus, confetti and smeared greasepaint.
Shooting the circus, I am voyeur and exhibitionist, spectator and spectacle.