By Keri Hayes
Arizona Daily Wildcat
The Group for Photographic Intentions' exhibit, "Diverse Practice," definitely lives up to its title. Delving into media like collages, photo manipulations and toning, the photographers have created images from life, dreams and fantasy that speak for themselves. The exhibit, at Bero Gallery, features the work of 15 GPI members.
GPI is a local non-profit artists' group which provides a forum for the exchange of information and ideas related to photography. The group also arranges exhibition opportunities for its members.
GPI President Amy Zuckerman is displaying two gelatin silver prints at Bero Gallery titled "Tepic, Nayarit." The images incorporate light and shadow beautifully, invoking a dreamlike state. Zuckerman's second print plays with the flow of sunlight into a room where a mirror reflects the scene.
"I want viewers to be simultaneously attracted to and disoriented by the images," Zuckerman said in her artist's statement.
Larry Wilson's series of toned gelatin silver prints speak of the disruption urban growth causes in nature's delicate balance. Especially successful is one print titled "Desert Grading #1, Pusch Ridge 1994," which shows in the foreground a pile of dirt and rubble, in the close background a cluster of Arizona's magnificent mountain peaks and overhead a symbolic gathering of dark, ominous clouds. The feeling of impending destruction is evident in all of Wilson's prints, yet this one portrays nature's anger at the violation very well.
Sharon Holnback and Camille Bonzani
have been working collaboratively on a series of photo sculptures, three of which are on display. Holnback says in her artist's statement that their work deals with "strength/fragility, clarity/mystery, fluid/still, water/fire, and the power in these unions."
"Droplet Swimmer," color photographs combined on a steel background, touches a number of these dualities, most explicitly "fluid/still." The piece is almost surreal in tone, as a swimmer is pictured immersed underwater, with a close-up of the water's texture incorporated into the image as well.
Ken Matesich is displaying an amazing set of prints from his series in progress titled "Living With the Pain." Two of the prints, "Shot," and "Bitten," explore the ramifications of life on the streets. Matesich uses his documentary-style photographs to investigate issues, and the results are very successful. The men in the photos stare without fear at the lens, which captures an almost frightening glimpse of life in their eyes.
"Diverse Practice" is a great opportunity to see what Tucson photographers are doing; it is also an interesting example of the array of possibilities photographers have to work with. The photography is rewarding to viewers, as it allows them to walk away with particular images of life to consider, sometimes for the first time.
"Diverse Practice" will continue through Oct. 22 at Bero Gallery, 41 S. Sixth Ave. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and during Downtown Saturday Nights and Art Walk. For more information, call 792-0313.