Captivated By Light

"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still." ~Dorothea Lange

On the way home from work last night I stopped at Beaner's to check out this month's art exhibit which opened last week during the Homegrown Fest here in the Twin Ports. It's a photography show and some really fine pieces are hanging out in there for the duration of May. If you get a chance, drop by for some coffee on the way to work or grap a wrap at lunch and enjoy some very special pieces by Andrew Perfetti and a few other local photographers. Be sure to say "Hi" to Jason for me. Just so ya know, Beaners Central will also be hosting the Million Dollar Bash on Saturday night at the end of Dylan Days.

Tonight two new photography exhibits are opening here in Duluth. The first received front page billing in this morning's news Tribune, an exhibit titled "On Assignment" at the Duluth Art Institute (DAI) featuring the photojournalism of Esther Bubley. Bubley is a local Duluthian who achieved international recognition for her poignant images from the middle of the last century. The DAI will have 50 pieces on display from her work covering 1943-1964. Subject matter for these striking black and white images includes the home front during World War II, behind the scenes at the Miss America Pageant, and Albert Einstein at age 73. Her work was featured in magazines like Life, Look and Ladies Home Journal, among others.

Simultaneously, and I hope I can make it tonight, will be an exhibit called Mad Women, featuring women in advertising. Expect a good crowd and a lot of buzz. (And I am not referring to the wine, though I'm sure that will be flowing as well.) The DAI opening is from 5-7 p.m. There is no admission cost.

Another opening tonight that I aim to reach will be the show titled Black & White at the Ochre Ghost Gallery on 2nd Avenue East. Kelvin and Jessica are quite excited about this black and white photography exhibit which I believe will include pieces by John Heino, among others.

Ochre Ghost is the newest gallery in town and generating a lot of buzz. Jessica Liszewski and partner Calvin Stalvig seem to be on to something. The gallery is within a block of the artsy Zeitgeist where they are both employed. Their Crim City show got national attention last month, so they've set a high bar and will keep aiming higher. In two weeks they will host a Dylan inspired show to coincide with the festivities of Dylan Days and Bob Dylan's 70's birthday. Much, much to look forward to here.

In the meantime, let your light shine.... That's what photography is really all about, capturing the play of light. And as Robert Alden says, "There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle."