It's Been Golden

Exposure 2010 comes to a close today and I have to say I wish it could keep going on for another month.

From the brilliant photography from Japan showcased at Triangle Gallery, the stunning new work of Bill Anderson at Banff's Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, poignant black & white portraits by Erin Wallace at Canmore's Avens Gallery to the awe inspiring presentation by Larry Towell - Canada's leading photojournalist. This is photographic art at its very best.

A special thanks goes out to the festival's sponsors: VISTEK, Calgary Arts Development and Gowlings. Also sponsor Lowepro for providing seven camera bags which were given out as prizes at select special events during the Festival.

Without the support of the sponsors, galleries, media and the broader photographic community Exposure would not be possible.

A special thank-you also goes out to the Board of Exposure 2010 with Craig Richards as the Chairman working tirelessly to make the Festival the success it is.

The Board is already working on Exposure 2011 where even more photographic art will be exhibited, viewed, discussed and enjoyed.

Photography plays a vital part of our cultural experience and Exposure is determined to be the most listened to voice in Southern Alberta promoting this wide ranging and dynamic art form.

Prize Winner - Exposure 2010

Congratulations to Holly Speer who won the $1,000 gift card from Vistek photo.

And thanks to everyone who entered the draw.

One More Special Event

Get to ACAD this afternoon to check out the Internet in Contemporary Art panel.

Moderated by Jordan Tate it happens in the Lecture Hall at 2 p.m.

Webber at the Whyte

If you haven't had an opportunity to hear George Webber speak about his work before then head to the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies tonight at 7 p.m.

Webber's career spans three decades and throughout he's been able to go the very essence of his subject matter be it the people of the Blood Reserve or men in Calgary whose struggles have led to the streets.

Webber says that his favourite place in the world is Southern Alberta and for that I'm glad.

Final Push For The Figs

There's a great exhibition of photography at West Canadian Digital Imaging located in the neighbourhood of Inglewood but it ends on Feb. 28th.

The Figs say:

As We See It offers extraordinary insight into the joy and possibilities of communities in the developing world as captured through the eyes of children and adults in Africa.

From a whimsical shot of a chameleon scurrying across the road, to the revealing portrait of a proud young widow using a sewing machine to earn an independent living, As We See It offers an insider’s view of how development can and does make a difference in communities’ lives.

The exhibitoion also gives Calgarians an opportunity to experience how simple contributions can make tangible differences in people’s lives.

As We See It was made possible through a year-long camera initiative developed by Calgary-based Fig Tree Foundation and undertaken by three of the international aid organizations the foundation supports.

Through the generous support of West Canadian Digital Imaging and Vistek, Fig Tree Foundation collected used digital cameras donated by Calgarians and distributed them to True Vision Ghana, Healthy Child Uganda and Canadian Humanitarian, in Ethiopia.
The organizations used the cameras to build creative and marketable skills within the communities they were working in, as well as to document the unique and effective development projects.

The Art of Photography and History

What a great past weekend of photography. Larry Towell's presentation on Friday evening in Canmore was an inspiration to anyone who cares about photography - or humanity. His images went from the gruelling streets of San Salvador to the front porch of his home in Ontario.

I had the opportunity to interview him the next day for Photo Life magazine and he told me that ultimately he thinks the most important aspect of his work is as a historical record. The Magnum archives recently moved from New York City to Texas and a hundred years from now people will go see Towell's photographs to understand the state of the world through his lens.

Another photographer concerned about history is Calgary-based artist/graphic designer Heather Saitz. She took part in a panel discussion on Saturday at Glenbow Museum as part of Exposure 2010.

She will be releasing a book in April about two historic Calgary apartment buildings. Those structures are now home to dozens of artists. Heather's book will help connect the past to present through photography and text.

History, photography and the art of seeing.

Last Chance

There's only more chance to meet Larry Towell while he's in Calgary.

He'll be at the downtown Vistek store at 5 p.m. to sign his book The World From My Front Porch.

Towell In Canmore

Just saw Larry Towell speak in Canmore.

Amazing images, sounds and prose...

This Canadian photographer ranks as one of our very best.

He is generous in person and behind the lens.

El Salvador, Palestine and and his own family. The photographs speak to heart and mind.

The Art of Photography Books

If you care about publishing photography, self, or otherwise, you'll want to attend a panel discussion at Glenbow Museum on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the ConocoPhillips Theatre.

Moderated by Glenbow's Melanie Kjorlien the panellists will include respected large format photographer Lawrence Chrismas, ACAD instructor and new media artist Jordan Tate, the head of the University of Calgary Press - Donna Livingstone - and photographer/graphic designer Heather Saitz, who is set to release a photography book that she's published with the assistance of the online site Blurb.com.

See you there.

Leaving Winter

This time of year can get people a little down. My recommendation is to take a trip. You don't have to leave your physical location to depart.

Go see Amalie Atkins work at Calgary's SKEW Gallery and you'll know what I mean.

Poetry on the Walls

Not sure if you've had a chance to see the fine work by a group of respected Japanese photographers showing at Triangle Gallery yet?

If not, make your way there to see what can best be described as poetry on the gallery walls.

If you don't already know Triangle is the gallery next to City Hall.

The Wild West of Kent Monkman

There was an interesting article in Saturday's Calgary Herald by Nancy Tousley about the Kent Monkman exhibition at Glenbow Museum commenting on his take on the West.

Monkman's exhibition is part of Exposure 2010 with photographs of his alter ego Miss Chief included.

Tousley says about the photos, "A small side gallery contains a suite of five brilliant photographs, Miss Chief: The Emergence of a Legend (2006), made to look like old tintypes, that show her in evolutionary roles as a performer in Wild West shows, vaudeville and silent movies."

Larry Towell - Tix

Tickets for Larry Towell's presentation in Canmore on the evening of Feb. 19th can be purchased by calling the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies by calling 403-762-2291 or drop by the downtown VISTEK store.

Larry Towell and FFWD

Richards & Yang at Paul Kuhn Gallery

Craig Richards is the chair of Exposure 2010 but he's also a talented photographer. Check out his most recent work of the Canadian Rockies at Paul Kuhn Gallery with the opening tonight.

In addition to Richards there is work by emerging photo-based artist Any Yang.

Burdeny Exhibition

Herringer-Kiss Gallery has informed Exposure 2010 that the exhibition of David Burdeny photographs scheduled to be shown during the month of February has been postponed.

For more information please contact Herringer-Kiss Gallery.

Another Opening

Remember to attend the opening of the Craig Richards & Andy Yang exhibition at Calgary's Paul Kuhn Gallery on Thursday.

See you there.

Canmore Banff Openings

I have to say the Canmore Banff openings of Exposure 2010 rivalled the Calgary opening.

Black & White photographs by Erin Wallace of some citizens in Ukraine--now showing at The Avens Gallery in Canmore--or the spectacular new colour prints by Bill Anderson being showcased at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies has positioned Exposure 2010 as a must attend experience.

WOW

If you weren't at the opening of Exposure 2010 at Triangle Gallery you missed a great show.

From my point of view that's one of the best collections of photography ever mounted in Calgary.

The good news is the Triangle exhibition and more than 30 other shows continue on for the rest of February in Calgary, Banff and Canmore.

See you in Banff on Friday and Saturday at the Juniper Hotel.

It's Official!

Exposure 2010 officially opens tonight at Triangle Gallery.

Now go out and see the great photography that makes this event so special.

Feb. 4th Openings

The official launch of Exposure 2010 is on Feb. 4th at Calgary's Triangle Gallery at 7:30 p.m.

Remember there are also six other openings in Calgary on Feb. 4th:

Do You Dee What I See? by Dean Turner at ArtFirm

Gallery 371 at ACAD featuring photographs by 3rd year students

Perception: Group Photography Show at Arts on Atlantic Gallery

As We See It presented by the Fig Tree Foundation at West Canadian Graphics

Scenes from a Secret World by Amalie Atkins at SKEW Gallery

Photographs by Michael Levin at The Weiss Gallery

Go to the Exposure 2010 program for full details.

A Month of Photography

It's here. February and an entire month of photography. Go check it out.

The Exposure 2010 guide is found inside the current issue of FFWD or online at: http://www.exposure2010.ca/