The era of lavender aromas and silver nitrate, of careful pouring and copper plates, and of safelights and dark enclosed quarters lined with bins of chemical developers is dwindling in an age of electronic media and digital capabilities. The photography darkroom as it existed in the nineteenth century is nearly obsolete, with the exception of a small number of faithful practitioners keeping the processes alive. These individuals range from ardent admirers of nineteenth century life to artists in search of methods that effectively communicate their vision. The photography darkrooms of the twentieth century are equally threatened with obsolescence as production of sensitized paper, chemicals, enlargers and other darkroom materials is on steady decline.

Such is the nature of technology. New advancements leave old methods far behind with great rapidity. While innovative artistic and photographic endeavors are consistently executed with digital means, this exhibition will focus on a thematically assembled group of photographs by several artists who share a passion for photography as a tactile medium, involving themselves in all aspects of the process from idea to image.

This group exhibition of photographic work will explore how contemporary artists incorporate the five senses – sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell – into their images. The human body, a highly expressive vehicle, is only one approach to expressing these concepts. Various aspects of the human figure as well as specimens of the natural world speak to each of these creative individuals and in turn guide their work toward narratives that communicate effectively as strong visual statements about our sensory capabilities.

Artists:

	Tom Baril Two and a Half Pears
	Tamara Lischka Octopus 5
	France Scully Osterman Invitation
	Mark Osterman Taking the Rube
	Josephine Sacabo Transparent God
	Jerry Spagnoli Hand Hold

Events:

Exhibit Opening
Saturday, September 8, 2007, 7:00pm-9:00pm

Panel Discussion with the Photographers
Sunday, September 9, 2007, 2:00pm
Free, light refreshments

Moderator: Michael R. Weil, Jr., Ph.D

Photographers France Scully Osterman, Mark Osterman, Tamara Lischka, and Jerry Spagnoli will participate in a panel discussion about the exhibit. Joining them will be local artist, Angelina Oberlin, who practices digital photography. The public is invited to attend and participate in this discussion. Join us for a conversation about how photography has changed dramatically in the past decade with digital technologies, and how it has affected the way we view and talk about photography today.

Sponsored by the Ohio Humanities Council.

Did you miss our last exhibit? Read all about it here.
Previous Exhibit: Midwestern Visions of Impressionism: May 26 to August 19, 2007