Looking In | WINDOWS

Looking in | WINDOWS — a retrospective exhibition, July 1-31, 2015. Project space, Salem, Oregon. 

The exhibit consisted of the 24 images below. They span approximately 47 years. The theme suggested itself after looking over the years of images and seeing certain recurring subjects, looking in windows being just one. The artist statement from the exhibit read:

The unforeseen. The serendipitous nature of capturing the transparent and reflective. Revelations. Mysteries. Vision forward and back. No tricks. Nothing up my sleeve. No Photoshop or after effects. No new layers or additives. Nothing a film camera wouldn’t have captured. Polarizing lens filters were developed to reduce glare and reflections. I never use one and instead try to get the maximum adverse effects. 

Window Shopping. New York City, NY — 4.1968

 

Parábola (The Quest). Portland, Oregon — 2.2015

(Homage to Alvarez-Bravo)

Victorian Lace. Astoria, Oregon — 10.2008

Dark Eyes. Arcata, California — 11.2012

Madonna. Woodburn, Oregon — 2.2008

Sunset Boulevard. Los Angeles, Cailfornia — 6.1986

Boulevard Bride. Los Angeles, California — 4.2007

The Bride left waiting at the Window

Silverton, Oregon — 4.2011

Mirror Balls. Boston, Massachusetts — 8.1973

Company B. Arcata, California — 11.2012

Ike & Rocky. Boston, Massachusetts—8.1973

Man, Oregon Centennial. Silverton, Oregon —2.2009

Woman, Oregon Centennial. Silverton, Oregon — 2.2009

Skidmore Waif. Portland, Oregon

Beware of the Dog. Salem, Oregon — 11.2013

Outside, looking in. Salem, Oregon — 8.2009

Arms. Salem, Oregon — 7.2008

Smile It's Free. McMinnville, Oregon — 5.2015

Stars. Seattle, Washington — 7.2010

Homage to the Industrial Revolution. 

Boston, Massachusetts — 10.2010

Temperance and Temptation. 

Lincoln City, Oregon — 2.2011

Swimming in Debt. Liincoln City, Oregon — 2.2011

The Secret. Deepwood Estate, Salem, Oregon — 9.2011

Tuxedo Rental. Astoria, Oregon — 10.2008

McMinnville UFO Parade, May 16, 2015

McMinnville is a great little city in Oregon, not far from Portland... and I guess the weird has worn off on them. The story goes that a couple living not far from the center of town saw a flying saucer hovering overhead and photographed it. It's veracity has been questioned but never confirmed. But why should that stand in the way of celebrating? The UFO festival has been going on for years. It runs throughout the weekend, with lectures and movies and so on. But the big draw is the parade. It's one of the few times people don't mind having their photo taken. I asked a lot of the people if I could take their picture. Others, I just zoomed through the crowd. As many photos as I have posted here, there were many more...

 The alien on the left struck me as doing an imitation

of comedian, Richard Lewis. 

This alien's make-up and adornments reminded me 

a little of a self-portrait by Cindy Sherman.

This couple don't look to be from another planet. 

I caught them unaware, then asked and took another 

picture of them. I prefer this one. 

 This camera-packing young woman was walking down the 

middle of 3rd Street when I saw her and asked if I could take 

her picture. She struck an attitudinal pose. 

I said it seemed she had posed for photos before.

Her smile widened imperceptibly. 

This young woman was part of a parade contingent. 

The men in the group had black hammer heads covering 

their heads. The women were wearing either a pilgrim 

or witches hat, green T's, a peppermint stick skirt 

and yellow sash. It's intergalactic significance was lost on me. 

Just as a writer cannot completely conceal their 

influences, inspiration and education, neither can a 

painter or photographer ignore what they know and 

have seen. Usually, the revelatory connection is discovered 

after taking the photograph. Minor White called 

this informing a photograph. All of which 

is to say, the photo on the left reminded me of 

Ralph Meatyard and Diane Arbus. I imagine the aliens that 

flashed the peace sign came to earth bearing no ill will. 

I'm not sure if she's flashing a peace sign or something else. 

The smirk and look in her eyes is what got me.

I saw this couple, in what may have been a Steam Punk 

throwback look, on a side street above the parade. 

The woman looks to me like she is used to being 

above it all. They were later in the parade.

 

 I'm not sure who the Grand Marshal of the parade was, nor do

I know who was wearing the suit and tie.

 

Is it me or does the dude with the cone-head look 

a little like Dan Ackroyd?

Alien with out of this world smile.

Two dancers with Love Bomb Go-Go Marching Band, 

from Portland

Tied-dyed aliens at the pet costume contest.

The Foggy Mountain UFO Bluegrass Band.