I attended the Opening Reception/Award Ceremony last night (Sat., May19) and had a chance to look at the exhibit and talk with some friends there. It was a well done event with a good turnout, a nice spread of finger foods and beverages. I had a couple glasses of wine but don’t think my judgement was clouded in any way. It was a fun evening and my wife Donna and I stayed longer than we expected.
I would like to go back and spend more time with each piece when it is less crowded. Of the approx. 1000 images submitted, only about 10% are selected for inclusion. I was pleased to be part of the exhibition. My framed print of “Fisherman’s Stance” (titled Downward Facing Dog on subsequent printings) is the first one you see as you come in the main entrance.
I have some impressions of the exhibit overall and of the images that were given awards. I thought the exhibit was hung well. I like the layout of the display areas and think it gives the work enough space to be individually enjoyed. The lighting was good and bright without being overpowering. There is ample parking around the building so that you don’t have to walk far. It is really worth the trip to see the work.
The selection overall favored black and white images. I saw very little color work and even my print which is a color photograph, is monochromatic. I thought much of the imagery was interesting and well crafted. Many of the pieces I liked very much and thought were a great buy. There were a variety of processes from Polaroid to infra-red, pin-hole, and different black & white methodologies. Digital processes were also highly evident. Traditional forms of manipulation that gave images a 19th century feeling seemed to do well in the awards. I thought all the winning images were finely done and creative. That said, I think I would have selected some winners differently than the panel of judges, but my sensibilities and tastes are probably also different. I would have been shocked if I agreed with all the winning selections and maybe a bit disturbed.
There were pieces in the exhibition as well that I just didn’t like and others that I thought were just not good. I was dismayed also by some of the matting and framing quality. I don’t understand how someone can offer work for sale that is well, much less than perfectly presented. My comments do not relate to the high school entries which are also on display.
All-in-all, I do highly recommend the exhibit, especially if you are already in the New Hope area. It presents the medium of photography in a variety of form and method that one doesn’t often get a chance to see. It is also a great opportunity to buy a photographic print that touches you and at a very reasonable price. In addition, you’ll have a piece of art that appeared in an important exhibition. I will likely go back to look more thoroughly at all the work. I give the folks at Phillips’ Mill a lot of credit for pulling this exhibition off and the effort involved.
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