| YOUR SPACE HERE. click for advertising info |
| Copyright 2006 Art History Chicks LLC Contact Us |
susceptible to images
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| | | | | | |
| Dichotomy of Exposure Bucketworks 1319 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. 414-305-1324 Through September 28, 2006. |
The current exhibition, "Dichotomy of Exposure," at Bucketworks is curated by 2Views Gallery and
juxtaposes the commercial photography of Jeff Jacobs with the fine art photography of Renee Peterson.
The exhibition emphasizes the photographers’ Milwaukee connection and their similarities and
differences of medium.
The exhibition suggests a dialogue with the historic debate of photography as ‘high’ or ‘low’ art.
Although Peterson addressed this issue briefly in her talk on September 15, the curators neglected any
critical engagement with the topic and only hinted at it through the juxtaposition of fine art and
commercial photography. Importantly, the works of art themselves were organized and displayed in a
well thought out manner emphasizing the difference between commercial and fine art photography.
The commercial photographer, Jacobs, presented the body of his portfolio in the exhibition. His work
organized thematically includes product illustration, food illustration, subjects, fashion illustration, aerial,
and architecture photographs. Jacobs stated in his talk that his goal was to take the ordinary and make
it extraordinary. He achieves this goal thoroughly in his product illustrations, most notably with Strap, a
large format digital original. Strap depicts a brilliant leaf green purse on its side. The strap is shown in
crisp focus while the body of the purse dissolves into the background. As one observer commented, the
photograph made her actually want to buy the purse. Jacobs’ most unsuccessful works are his
photographs under the thematic heading “Subject (vs. Models).” These photographs read as friendly
snapshots of friends and acquaintances. The compositions are unoriginal and appear to have been
done by an art student that is still exploring his medium. Overall, the majority of his work is mediocre
and does not meet his goal of making the ordinary extraordinary.
juxtaposes the commercial photography of Jeff Jacobs with the fine art photography of Renee Peterson.
The exhibition emphasizes the photographers’ Milwaukee connection and their similarities and
differences of medium.
The exhibition suggests a dialogue with the historic debate of photography as ‘high’ or ‘low’ art.
Although Peterson addressed this issue briefly in her talk on September 15, the curators neglected any
critical engagement with the topic and only hinted at it through the juxtaposition of fine art and
commercial photography. Importantly, the works of art themselves were organized and displayed in a
well thought out manner emphasizing the difference between commercial and fine art photography.
The commercial photographer, Jacobs, presented the body of his portfolio in the exhibition. His work
organized thematically includes product illustration, food illustration, subjects, fashion illustration, aerial,
and architecture photographs. Jacobs stated in his talk that his goal was to take the ordinary and make
it extraordinary. He achieves this goal thoroughly in his product illustrations, most notably with Strap, a
large format digital original. Strap depicts a brilliant leaf green purse on its side. The strap is shown in
crisp focus while the body of the purse dissolves into the background. As one observer commented, the
photograph made her actually want to buy the purse. Jacobs’ most unsuccessful works are his
photographs under the thematic heading “Subject (vs. Models).” These photographs read as friendly
snapshots of friends and acquaintances. The compositions are unoriginal and appear to have been
done by an art student that is still exploring his medium. Overall, the majority of his work is mediocre
and does not meet his goal of making the ordinary extraordinary.
Altogether, the most intriguing aspect of the
exhibition was Peterson’s fine art
photography. The 2005 graduate of the
Savannah College of Art and Design is
interested in alternative photographic
processes, themes of story telling and
relationships. Her most thought provoking
and visually interesting work is her series
entitled Bloopers. The images, printed on
store-bought handmade paper with a
platinum/palladium process, depict friends
captured in awkward positions who had been
tricked into thinking they were getting portrait
studio quality portraits. Peterson’s method of
production, brushing the photographic
chemicals onto the textured handmade paper,
gives the final work of art an ethereal
diaphanous effect. This in turn bestows the
photographs with a voyeuristic quality.
exhibition was Peterson’s fine art
photography. The 2005 graduate of the
Savannah College of Art and Design is
interested in alternative photographic
processes, themes of story telling and
relationships. Her most thought provoking
and visually interesting work is her series
entitled Bloopers. The images, printed on
store-bought handmade paper with a
platinum/palladium process, depict friends
captured in awkward positions who had been
tricked into thinking they were getting portrait
studio quality portraits. Peterson’s method of
production, brushing the photographic
chemicals onto the textured handmade paper,
gives the final work of art an ethereal
diaphanous effect. This in turn bestows the
photographs with a voyeuristic quality.
It should be made explicit that the photographers and the curators of the exhibition are young, emerging
professionals. "Dichotomy of Exposure" was the first exhibit organized by 2Views Gallery and displays a
large portion of Peterson and Jacobs’ work. Even though the exhibition is not polished, it displays much
potential for a promising future for both the curators and photographers.
- Eleanore Etzler
Eleanore Etzler is a master's degree candidate and teaching assistant in Art History at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Comments? Email comments@susceptibletoimages.com
professionals. "Dichotomy of Exposure" was the first exhibit organized by 2Views Gallery and displays a
large portion of Peterson and Jacobs’ work. Even though the exhibition is not polished, it displays much
potential for a promising future for both the curators and photographers.
- Eleanore Etzler
Eleanore Etzler is a master's degree candidate and teaching assistant in Art History at the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Comments? Email comments@susceptibletoimages.com
| Dichotomy of Exposure installation view. |
| Dichotomy of Exposure installation view. |