Category Archives: Photography

Accidental Art of Architecture

Maybe it lies in the unexpected, but there is something seriously wondrous about “accidental art.” No artist is directly responsible for its existence. It’s more like a secret gift placed in your path, awaiting discovery.

Aside from the possible stress relieving aspect, there isn’t much that sounds appealing about demolishing buildings. But on occasion, when a section of a building is removed, the remaining building and foundational layer create an aesthetic of a two-dimensional imprint of its once neighbor – often referred to as “ghost buildings”.

These works have been captured by many notable photographers such as Marcus Buck and Julie Miller, enhancing and promoting their pre-existing beauty. And adapted by many street artists as the starting ground for their work – playing off of the structural remains and unintended geometric patterns.

Fifties Fotography.

Ok, so we know it’s “photography,” but it’s proven that 95% of people enjoy alliteration, so just roll with it.

This little photo post was triggered as we were browsing through Pinterest for daily inspiration and came across this lovely Richard Rutledge photograph, captured in 1952 (listed first). We ooo-ed and ahh-ed for a minute and then quickly found ourselves browsing through beachy 1950′s photography for some unknown amount of time. It just rules. The coloring, the subjects, the fashion – we’re sold.

The Sleep of The Beloved

Sleep. Its a thing of fascination. Of mystery. We often wake, boggled by our orientation and dreams, wondering what our activity may have looked like throughout the night. The curiosity of German Photographer, Paul Schneggenburger, stems deeper. In this series, “The Sleep of the Beloved,” he explores the interaction (or lack there of) between lovers in their sleep. Paul created a studio of sorts in the spare bedroom of his studio apartment, and invited couples (2 at a time) to participate in a six hour slumber, that would be captured in a long exposure from midnight to 6a.

The Concept

“What happens to lovers while they are sleeping? Is it sleeping just next to each other, each on his own, or is there a sharing of certain places or emotions? Is it a nocturnal lover’s dance, maybe a kind of unaware performed tenderness, or does one turn the back on each other? Is there a conjunction with the other, with one’s self?” Read full concept

The Couples

Matthew Brandt – “Lakes and Reservoirs”

Happy Friday, friends. We thought you all deserved a little eye-candy to kick of your weekend.

Matthew Brandt’s “Lakes and Reservoirs,” is a ridiculously genius photo series. Brandt begins by photographing various lakes in the western US. He then proceeds to soak the photo in the body of water that it is displaying. They soak for days. They soak for weeks. They soak until Brandt achieves the desired look.

This fairly simple, unique idea has created amazing works of art. Feast your eyes below.

Genetic Photography

As you look around the world you can see the manifestations of our varying genetics in the physical traits of everyone you meet. Distinctive features carry through generations and cause some to remark that you have “your father’s eyes” or “your grandmother’s chin.” Often, family photos draw attention to the similarity between the members, but what if you took that a step further? To see the past, present and future of your genes and look at the little variations and mutations that make you unique in a sea of similar genes.

As part of Ulric Collete’s “Genetic Portrait” series he has spliced together photos of family members and the results are astounding. Far from a deformed mess that you might imagine, the portraits showcase the distinctive traits that combine to create the individual family member. By putting these traits together in one image, Collete draws attention to features that span the test of time and genetics.

[Mother/Daughter - Julie, 61 & Isabelle, 32] & [Brothers - Christopher, 30 & Ulric, 29]

[Twins - Laurence & Christina, 20] & [Sisters - Catherine, 23 & Veronica, 29]

More of Collete’s stunning work is available on his website.

Calling All Minimalists

In photography, negative space can both decontextualize and recontextualize a depicted subject. Negative space decontexualizes subjects through isolation, removing them out of their normal setting. Viewers are able to consider the subject as a thing-in-itself, or at the very least, reconsider it without the influence of a specific setting. Negative space recontextualizes subjects when it is used to play with your perspective. For instance, if you’re a human being looking at a gorilla, the gorilla appears large and intimidating. But if you photograph a gorilla with 75% white space, you can make that gorilla appear small and harmless. Since it can do these two things, negative space will provide a feeling of either balance or imbalance to a photograph. Let’s not forget, too, that at the simplest level, negative space provides a resting place for the eye and eliminates distraction. Turns out utilizing a whole lot of nothing in your photographs can provide extra interest to the subject itself.

Katie Harris

Nathan Harger

DJ BOY

Kristen Williams Mitchell

Lee Cullivan

Ibai Acevedo

Max Wanger

Yayoi Kusama Bringing it with a Retrospective

“If it were not for art, I would have killed myself a long time ago.” – Yayoi Kusama

The art world is buzzing with talk of Damien Hirst and his spot retrospective, which we previuosly blogged about.

What the art world SHOULD be talking about is the retrospective for Yayoi Kusama, who also works with colors and spots, and does it beautifully and with purpose. Kusama’s whole reason for making has been to help her deal with her many pyschological issues since childhood. Her work often has themes that are based on psychosis and infinity and seem to have a hypnotic and obsessive quality. Throughout the artists career her work has ranged in a variety of media and includes paintings, sculpture, performance, and installation.

Yayoi Kusama was a famous artist in the 60′s in america, but was almost forgotten in the 70′s when she moved back to Japan to check into a psychiatric hospital where she still lives. Since then Kusama has had some of the highest auction prices for a living female artist (Woo!). Kusama is now 82 and will have a retrospective of 150 works in what are considered some of the most outstanding Art Musuems in the world. The Retrospective starts at Madrid’s Museo Reina Sofia, and will travel to The Tate, The Whitney, and Centre Pompidou in Paris.

This woman rules.

Orlando Art Happenings – February

The first month of the new year is over, time for February! It’s the month of love…or something. Ok whatever, here’s what’s happening with some art in Orlando!

From Robots to Warlocks – Sci-Fi and Fantasy Art in the 21st Century : 2/2, 6-9PM at The Orlando Museum of Art – A comprehensive look at art inspired by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Universes (how amazing does THAT sound?). Art, music, food, drinks, awesomeness. $10

Tree of Light Project: 2/2, 8-10pm at the Seaside Plaza – A sculptural interactive installation by Orlando artists Cole NeSmith and Josh Owen. The Tree of Light Project is a recipient of the United Arts of Central Florida grant, and part of ArtsFest 2012 that will be running all of February in Central Florida. $Free

Nude Nite: 2/9,10,11 from 6pm – 12am at the Church Street Exchange Building - Nude Nite is an annual juried art event that focuses on the beauty of the nude. This three day extravaganza will include paintings, photography, performance art, sculpture, and installation. $25

Collide*Scope: 2/13, 6:25pm at Urban Rethink – A new monthly happening. Each month a group of creative minds will be chosen and given a challenge, they will have one week to collaboratively come up with an awesomely creative presentation on the challenge topic. $Free

Maybe It’s Still All A Dream Closing Reception: 2/23 at twelve21 gallery – Did you miss our opening? Shame on you! Just kiddin’. You get a second chance to come hang out with us and see all of the amazing art. $Free

Replicated: Now at The Falcon- This already started in January, but will be ongoing through February. Replicated is a group art show celebrating the 30th anniversary of the film Blade runner (sweet). $Free

February’s lookin’ pretty nice, right?!

Nude Nite Orlando

Celebrate nakedness! Nude Nite is an annual juried art event that focuses on the beauty of the nude. This three day extravaganza will include paintings, photography, performance art, sculpture, and installation.

This year Nude Nite Orlando will be held at the church street exchange building on February 9th, 10th, and 11th. You have three different nights to check out this titillating (yeah..said it) event.

Plan accordingly and watch this! :  Nude Nite 2012 Photoshoot from Lure on Vimeo.

Community Cell Phone Photo Exhibit – Depixtions

This is FUN, and for a good cause.

Depixtions is a community photo show happenin’ in Orlando featuring only photos taken with a camera phone (no cheating, they can tell).

Smart phone cameras keep improving and getting more and more like real cameras. There’s a whole slew of photo apps like instagram, camera +, the hipstamatic app, etc.(you get it) that give photographic creativity endless possibilities.

Submit your best camera phone photo to Depixtions by February 17th and your photo may be chosen to be in the community show at Orange Studio on March 10th.

BONUS – Each print is for sale and the proceeds will go to New Hope For Kids, an organization helping Central Florida children and families suffering from grief, loss, and life-threatening illness.

Make sure to check the website for guidelines, peruse your instagram photos, and submit the best one!