Category Archives: Art Criticism

ChemoToxic – Willie Osterman

Foreword:  fotosavant was started in the belief that handcrafted photographic processes (commonly and erroneously referred to as “Alternative”) had a much larger range in theory and practice than is usually represented in publications and jury selections.  Today’s featured photographer Willie Osterman underlined the … Continue reading

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Joy-sucking drones of the universe (you know who they are…)

“Disembodied mouths that have seemingly infinite time on their hands, lots of opinions, few qualifications … and balls of solid brass.” Behold the joy-sucking drones of the art world.  They are the talking heads, not even heads really.  Disembodied mouths … Continue reading

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Words Matter… even in Photography

“The absence of a common language leaves us all in a world where anything “means what I say it does”.  This is a state of affairs which may leave the art “expert” feeling fully expressed while not even remotely understood.” … Continue reading

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Photo Competitions – An Update

“Photography competitions, as we have known them, are reaching a point of crashing and burning… and/or transformation.”  fotosavant has previously explored the shift in burden/benefit sharing (to the photographer) in gallery-sponsored photography competitions.  Continuing comments from readers led us to revisit the … Continue reading

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The Cult of Sameness – A Cure?

“Conformity is the historic enemy of creativity.” Few people pick up handcrafted photographic processes without receiving some form of Scared Rabbit – All Rights Reserved 2012 instruction, through one-on-one work with a mentor, formalized course work or even degree programs.  Instruction … Continue reading

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At the MMA this Fall

Among the notices streaming in for photography shows, one from the Metropolitan Museum of Art caught our eye; “Faking It: Manipulated Photography Before Photoshop.”   While an exhibition cannot be judged before its opening (October 11, 2012 in The Howard Gillman … Continue reading

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Review – Tom Persinger at Tilt

Two years ago Pittsburgh photographer Tom Persinger was invited to create a series of photographs to accompany a live performance of Robert Schumann’s song cycle “Dichterliebe” (translated into English – A Poet’s Love).  He responded to the open-ended challenge with … Continue reading

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Review: Janet Matthews – “Vignettes”

We’ve been aware of the work of photographer Janet Matthews for some time, but have been waiting for the right moment to feature her on fotosavant.  With the debut of her portfolio – “Vignettes” that moment has happily arrived.  While … Continue reading

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“Leading with Process…”

“…their black-clad arms will lower their glass of wine or single-malt long enough for them to deliver their most devastating blow; “It’s beautiful perhaps but the whole thing could have been created on a computer.”  Which is the biggest lie … Continue reading

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Modern Inquisitions… Condemned With a Sneer

Note to readers; when talking photographic appreciation, we are in the world of opinion.  Regardless of the credentials of the speaker or the number of famous (or obscure) names she/he cites, it is only opinion.  Remember that when anyone tries … Continue reading

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