Review of Douglas Prince exhibiton

The Herald-Sun newspaper of Durham, NC published an article about Douglas Prince's exhibition at Through This Lens. Blue Greenberg featured the show in her weekly column. The article, entitled Subconscious Holds Key to Genius, was published in print, and is also available on-line at: http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/18539530/article-Subconscious-holds-key-to-genius-?instance=search_results. The on-line version has color illustrations.

Douglas Prince Describes His Process

Last Saturday evening, May 5th, Douglas Prince gave an informal talk about his work currently on display at Through This Lens. Given the very rainy evening, the event was well attended. This is a telling exhibition, showing examples of layered and combined images over a 40 year progression. There are examples of gelatin-sliver "blends" made from multiple b&w negatives in a traditional darkroom setting, "photo sculptures" in literal layers of film, inside acrylic boxes, and finally, combined images from the computer age of art. This selection of a prolific artist affords some insight into how images can change, but the core ideas endure through new techniques and materials.

This is the first time we have committed to a summer-long show. Douglas Prince:Images and Imagination runs through mid-August, 2012 - but don't put off your visit too long. Time has a habit of slipping away.

More Loss in 2012

Rather than dwell on sad topics I'll simply say that I've been reluctant to write much because of two more substantial losses this year: Will Grossman and Dr. Richard Zakia, both friends, and strong supporters of Through This Lens, have passed away in recent weeks. I will remember them both fondly, and with great respect.

Changes in 2012

Good readers: The holidays seem to have distracted me from blogging - but with the new year, I am back on task. This week is your last chance to enjoy the Kevin Logghe exhibition: Object to Image - running through Saturday afternoon. We often keep work on the walls a few days after the official closing date, but not this time. Monday morning will be wall moving time! With the help of a couple of friends the entire gallery will be rearranged. This is partly to prepare for our first exhibition of 2o12: Will Grossman's classic work of Durham in the early 1970s. We have shown his work several years ago, but given the ever-changing nature of the Triangle area, many of our visitors will not have seen Mr. Grossman's evocative images.

Keep your eyes open, and be ready for some significant changes to Through This Lens. Besides our new look there will be new services, classes, workshops, more talks and demonstrations. Please share your ideas if there is something you would like us to offer. I'm in a changing mood.

Isabel Chicquor

Sadly, it seems that this blog is becoming an obituary column. I've just received news that Isabel Chicquor, an artist represented by Through This Lens, has passed away. Isabel has spent the past several months working against a tenacious malady that finally overtook her body - though not her spirit. Many of you will have known her as a spirited, opinionated and passionate artist and a generous human being and friend. We will all miss her.

No Alternatives:Hand-Crafted Photo Exhibition

Friday, October 21, 2011 artists, collectors, and the usual suspects gathered to see the unveiling of the No Alternatives exhibition at Through This Lens gallery. This is the first exhibition at Through This Lens to be selected by jury - in this case by Sam Wang and Christina Z. Anderson. Both Sam and Christina are noted authorities, and practitioners, in the hand-made photography world. In fact, they both also teach processes and techniques which are often referred to as "Alt" - but exactly why No Alternatives was chosen for the exhibition title is best expressed by Kevin Logghe. Kevin came up with the idea for the show more than a year ago. For more about that please see his web site http://www.fotosavant.com. There were entries artists from around the US and several other countries. The processes include, among others, cyanotype, platinum-palladium, carbon transfer, mordancage and gum bichromate. These processes are often based on antique processes, but some are experimental. All the subject matter is contemporary - which ultimately is the point of this exhibition. Given that many of the prints on display took days to create, and are each one unique, proof in on the walls that craft and hand-work has not been fully replaced by the computer.

Carter and Earley Reveal Secrets

Catharine Carter and Lawrence Earley spoke about their work Sunday afternoon. A revealing session, Ms. Carter noted that her work had become a sort of visual "journaling" to record her feelings and thoughts - and every image had a story behind it. She also mentioned how the misfortune of having her film cameras stolen during a trip had forced her to become more familiar with her digital equipment. While she continues to work in the darkroom, even exploring more hand-crafted processes, the body of work currently on display was printed by her on her Epson printer.

Mr. Earley, Larry to his friends, recounted experiences of interviewing boat owners and fishermen of the North Carolina coast. Much of his work has been shot on 4x5 film, though he sometimes other formats. His silver-gelatin prints are finely crafted and serve his subjects well. It was a pleasure to hear both of these artists reveal their thoughts and motivations behind their work.