Category Archives: What is Contemporary?

Redefining “contemporary” photography.

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

Posted on November 15, 2012 by fotosavant

“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 →

Posted in Art Criticism, Artists, Curators, Galleries, Museums, Quotables, Uncategorized, What is Contemporary? | Leave a comment

Words Matter… even in Photography

Posted on October 23, 2012 by fotosavant

“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 →

Posted in Art Criticism, Quotables, Straight Photography, What is Contemporary? | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Leading with Process…”

Posted on October 28, 2011 by fotosavant

“…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 →

Posted in Alternative Process, Art Criticism, Curators, Galleries, General Photography, Historical Process, Museums, What is Contemporary? | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Modern Inquisitions… Condemned With a Sneer

Posted on October 10, 2011 by fotosavant

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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Hand+Eye Exhibition/Book/Online Gallery

Posted on September 16, 2011 by fotosavant

Let me start by saying that I have fresh respect for the individuals, galleries and organizations that conduct photography competitions.  I have curated exhibitions before, but they were always in conjunction with an established institution and with invited artists with … Continue reading →

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Viewing the World Scene

Posted on July 14, 2011 by fotosavant

In a world of rampant globalization and Mc Donald’s in Beijing, it is tempting to think that handcrafted photography is handcrafted photography the world-round.  You would be both right and wrong.  However finding what our friends overseas are doing in … Continue reading →

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Losing History

Posted on June 28, 2011 by fotosavant

When I was growing up in Worthington, MN it seemed (to us at least) a typical small town complete with;  1950′s-era drive-in movie, Victorian Junior High School (with hardwood floors and real slate chalkboards), Art Deco Grade School, Beaux-Arts Courthouse and … Continue reading →

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Peter Liepke – A Polite Rebel

Posted on June 23, 2011 by fotosavant

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Peter Liepke should be feeling very flattered indeed. If you Google him one of the entries you will find is a thread from a User’s Group entitled “How to make photos like … Continue reading →

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Over-awed by Process?

Posted on June 13, 2011 by fotosavant

Even the most deeply historic photographic process is only a tool for the artist.  No process can or should dictate content, aesthetic or style.  Each process has its own strengths and weaknesses.  The photographic artist chooses the process(es) which best … Continue reading →

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Today’s Trend is the Nostalgia of Tomorrow

Posted on June 9, 2011 by fotosavant

A photograph becomes a memorial of its subject the moment the shutter clicks.  All that has been memorialized will age into one of two categories; nostalgia or trivia.

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