Amie Potsic Skin Stories at AREA 919

Last Friday April 17 I had the pleasure of seeing Skin Stories at AREA 919  and meeting that enthusiastic contributor to the Philadelphia art scene Amie Potsic.  First, AREA 919 seems to be quickly becoming an exciting, energetic, serious and fun and entertaining venue.  This venue has two main exhibition  areas: one for contemporary art and one for decorative and antique objects. Amie Potsics photographs are large silver gelatin prints mounted on I think aluminum, frameless. Despite the main "subject" matter being

scars and wounds, I think the main subject matter is really about Amie Potsics highly skilled ability to raise that subject matter to an elegant and at the same time provocative level.  I do know that is it possible for what one usually considers unflattering subject matter to be made into elegantly photographed fine art photography.. well I knew it before, and  I've seen it again in this work.  The artist reminds us, maybe unconciously, that it takes the skill and talent of an artist of this caliber to transcend the subject matter.  In lesser hands it might seem a cheap, fast or opportunistic subject matter.  Amie Potsic turns it into photographs that invite us to learn more about the subject matter (the scars etc) and invites us to know more about her and her work.  It is truly worth the time to visit AREA 919 to see the show, the space and if you have a chance to meet Mr. Michael Garden,the owner,  whom I had the great pleasure to meet.  There will be an artists talk on May 14 at 7pm.  The show runs through May 30.  More info. can be found on the AREA 919 website.

NYC and AIPAD: My experiences this week in NY.

I am very excited to be attending the Aipad Fine Art Photography convention in NYC this week.  This is one of  the great fine art photographic events in the world and and I look forward to being in the presence of so many artists, agents and gallery owners who care so deeply for photography.

I hope to post and share some images.  Of course it is important for the art dealers to try to promote their work for sales, but one also  knows that underlying this is there love of photography- otherwise I doubt they would be doing it.  I look forward to sharing on this Blog what I see and hear when I am in NY this week. Please stay tuned!

New Photo Events; Onward show at Project Basho

Presently at Project Basho, that wonderful educational and exhibition space near 3rd and Girard Ave, Phila. are the works accepted into the ONWARD show juried this year by Peter Barberie.  There are so many photographs that I can't at this time comment on any of them individually but I can say that it is worth a visit to the space to see the work.  We should commend Project Basho for making this show and Project Basho possible.  On the Project Basho website you can see for yourself all the photos accepted into the show.  Go see it!!  Here is the address.  

 P R O J E C T   B A S H O       ~       1305 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19122       ~       215.238.0928 

F.U.E.L, Donna Karan, Muse Gallery Phila.

What does  FUEL in Phila. have in common with Donna Karan ( DKNY) and Muse Gallery in Phila?  Me!!!  

     http://www.fuelcollection.com     FUEL:  Presently I have 9 works of photography at the F.U.E.L collection located at the incredibly beautiful building at 249 Arch Street, Phila. The opening was an experience more like a rock show that that of a hushed  reverent opening at The Philadelphia Orchestra which so many art shows can be like.  For my own work I prefer the quiet, reverent type but this  was what Olde City needs I think.  Its impossible to comment on the  hundreds of works in the show which range from those by seasoned artists like myself and those just getting their feet wet, but its definitely worth the trip to see all thats there.  You will find something to like, hate or simply not understand.. or maybe something to  crave. 

http://www.hearst8x10.com/   DONNA KARAN:  This month one body of my photographs "Hiding in Plain Sight" is being considered by numerous leading NYC curators, Among them Ms. Karan, for inclusion in  a show at The Hearst Corp. headquarters in Manhattan.   I will not know for some time if I am  have been included but you will be the first to know!      Still, whatever happens I find the whole thing exciting.

http://www.musegalleryphiladelphia.com   MUSE GALLERY, Phila.  Jan 7th begins the first day of the Muse Gallery Open Call Small works exhibit.  I have two photographic images in the show- one of them I think and expect will raise a few eye brows.. at least I hope it will.

Come and see and write me as to what you thought about any of the work in the show.  I intend to post images on this Blog. of the reception. Open Call Small Works Exhibit 

52 N 2nd St

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(215) 627-531047 artists submitted 85 works of art for the exhbiition. All of the work will be hung in salon style. 

Exhibition dates: Jan 7, 2009 - Jan 25, 2009 

Reception date: January 9, 2009 from 5 - 8:30 PM

Testing a new direction.

After an illness that has lasted far too long, I am testing a new direction in my work.  Generally the new work will come in the form of a still life genre, but I use that term very loosely, meaning simply that the objects that will make up these new photographs do not conveniently fit into the idea of "still life'.  Still, it is as good as genre reference as I can come up with.  I am sharing 1 new image here.  There is content in the work that one might call "R" rated but if you look carefully, there is nothing that you would not see on TV, and upon closer examination, there isn't anything at all that is offensive because the any specific reference in the images to sexuality is only suggested. I hope the followers of this blog will comment... either you will hate them, or love them.  And as always, please enjoy my other work at this website:    http://www.markfieldsphotos.com

Thanks,   Mark Fields

Richard Kagan's "Iron Portraits" at Gallery 339

Although I intend to comment more on the show of photographs at Gallery 339 (Philadelphia) by Richard Kagan, I want to say that they are among the bravest  photographs I have seen in a long time.  Using only minimal means combined with pure technical mastery, Mr. Kagan  reminds us that craftsmanship and artistry can elevate seemingly mundane objects to a near spiritual level. It isn't that the spirituality necessarily exists in the objects but   Mr. Kagan's attention to technical perfection and his persistence in not diluting his vision makes his work a singular point of view that stands out from the crowd.  These photographs are memorable because their power comes  from their interior insistence that you look at them.  The absolute quietness and stillness  in them in a world full of visual and audible screaming speaks more because one has to approach them  in a near meditative way and in this noisy rude world that is a very welcomed thing.  I hope to return to see these iconic works soon. 

Photo Talk Lanuch

I am pleased to create this blog dedicated to Photography, with a special emphasis on Fine Art Photographers who work in Black and White, either with "traditional" means or with the 21st Century "Light room-digital".  If you work in color please feel free to participate as well   I just happen to love B and W.  Most of my own work is in B and W. and I hope you will visit my website as an introduction.  

I invite anyone to contribute images, ideas, show reviews and any other communication that can help those who love photography as much as I.  I hope Photographers in Philadelphia and elsewhere will help connect, help each other and share ideas.

I hope you will visit my site just to become familiar with some of my work   http://www.markfieldsphotos.com    However, I want this site to be a collaborative effort with the emphasis on the work of other photographers and what they  are doing in the field.

Thanks, mark