camera obscuras

Now for my reflections on Ethan Jackson's camera obscura installation exhibit! Camera obscuras are actually something that I was previously unfamiliar with. The concept sounded familiar, but I had never seen the idea put into practice. I was excited to see something new, and Ethan's work definitely delivered for me. When I first arrived at the Kenilworth building, I wandered behind the curtains into the exhibit and looked at Ethan's camera obscura; however, I was not aware of the logistics of the set up! This is an interesting point to note, as I returned to the exhibit following Ethan's talk and explanation with a completely new view of his artwork. My first impressions of the work were of admiration. I immediately realized that the image that which I was observing was the reflection of Prospect Ave., upside down. I love urban imagery. I love the character that is diffused into work that serves to reflect urbanization.Therefore, I immediately took a liken to the work. I also really respect the power of natural lighting. These two factors combined beautifully in the projection. One thing I did not notice initially however, is the subtle movements occuring within the reflection. This would be something that I would learn in Ethan's talk about his work.

Ethan's portfolio work struck me as very impressive. He really had an eye for the beauty of variation over time. His most memorable work, the changing clouds over the chapel, reminded me of Nathaniel Dorskey's dissection of sight sensation or Brahkage's call for a "derangement of the senses." Camera obscuras provide an alternate way to view the world, outside of our rushed real time daily experience. As I watched all of his work as it looped on the screen, every new viewing revealed a new perspective that I didn't see the previous loop. In the chapel piece, the work was especially profound in that it invoked a spiritual aura often associated with chapels and other religious houses of worship. The movement of the clouds combined with the building structure threaded the mystical presence of a higher power with the reality of humans' place of worship on earth. The technique of camera obscura uniquely enabled this particular effect to be possible with its use of light, reflection, and control over movement rapidity.

Following Ethan's presentation, I returned to the exhibit room with a completely new and educated perspective. I noticed the camera holes in the walls, and the glass that made it all possible. I noticed the movement in the trees and how the combined cameras created a unique collage of overlapping images, comprising one large picture. I was able to appreciate the art and the effort that fused to construct such an experience. Ethan mentioned many times that camera obscura is a largely unappreciated art despite its accessibility. I hope to see more kinds of work like Ethan's in the future, as his exhibit and portfolio were rewarding to experience.

mary!