Picture Nothing by Ellen Carey
- Thu, May 22nd 2008, 10:00am
- Located at : 140 North Street, Buffalo NY
Tonight marks the opening reception of an exhibition of the internationally recognized photographer Ellen Carey, who will present color photographs made with the large format Polaroid 20 X 24 camera located in New York City, one of five in the world.
Carey creates images that are one-of-a-kind using the Polaroid one-step; peel away process that develops in a mere 60 seconds. It produces a positive, along with its negative (the artist often shows both), making pictures that are simultaneously photographic/process and abstract/minimal. These artworks she calls “Pulls,” her term since 1996 upon its discovery, echoes the physical activity of making these pictures.
Picture Nothing introduces an aporia, much like Shakespeare’s “To Be or Not To Be”--- these pictures are of something, but what? Her artworks raise questions about content,” What is it a picture of?” and process” How was it made?” challenging our cultural and historical expectation around images to describe, record and document. With the advances of digital imaging technology eclipsing hands-on processes, it also references the artist’s life in making photographs for over thirty years as well as the rich legacy of photography, often seen through picture magazines, such as Life and Aperture.
Pictured: Pull Nos. 68, 69, 70
May 22, 10AM; FREE
Exhibit through June 25
Nina Freudenheim Gallery
140 North St
716.882.5777
