Indiana Small Towns Project Exhibit

Opening Janury 7, 2011 at the The Harrison Center for the Arts I will be exhibiting a selection of 13 images from my Indiana Small Towns Project.

From my archive, these images were made between 1992 and 1995. This will be the first time that these photographs have been exhibited.

Writer and poet Karen Stroup has written about the photographs and what they represent.  Her writings will be available at the exhibit.

This exhibit is in tandem with the Sign Show.  The Facebook event page has all of the particulars regarding The Harrison's Center's January First Friday events.

IMA Andy Warhol Exhibit Opening Party, October 9, 2010

So, I'm a little late in posting some snapshots from the Warhol Opening...

Daniel Axler and Maxwell Anderson

The party was great!  It sure appeared that everybody was having an excellent time.  There were people of all ages, which was really cool.  The DJ played music from various artists that had Warhol connections,  which was cool as well.  Not everybody found the music to be all that fab.  On our way out Satch and I had a nice conversation with an older couple that had a different opinion.  I asked them what they thought of the music and the gentleman said, "I don't call that music, I call that noise!"  So, the anti-rock and roll establishment lives on in Indianapolis. Somehow that is comforting especially now that I can hear David Bowie et al when shopping in the local Kroger grocery store.

Maxwell Anderson's Shoes

The exhibit is pretty special.  It has a nice cross section of pieces through the length of Warhol's career.  My favorite room is the last one with his screen print self portraits.  Yet again, IMA is to be commended for another top-notch special exhibition.  I strongly recommend that you get to it if you have not.  It is open until January 2, 2011.

Barkeep

The Party Floor

Party from the VIP Lounge

Empty Coke Bottle and Ealf-Eaten Cup Cake

Andy would be pleased with all of the stuff for sale

It's been a while..

Click to enlarge

...since I have posted anything. I've been working on some new directions so I haven't been producing any finished work. Here's a photograph that I made late this fall with a plastic trash camera. It does not have a title yet.

Day of the Dead 2010 Snaphots and Short Video

I've posted a gallery of snapshots from The Indianapolis Art Center's Day of the Dead Celebration.  Again, The Art Center outdid themselves and hosted an incredible community day for the City of Indianapolis.

High quality entertainment, arts and crafts, shrines (inside and out), special exhibits and a great crowd made  for a special afternoon and evening.  Click on the link above to go to the photographs.

Here's a very short video of the Processional in the Art Park through the outdoor Shrines:

Day of the Dead Celebration

Photograph from last year's Shrine Exhibition

If you are in Indianapolis this Saturday do not miss the Day of the Dead celebration at the Indianapolis Art Center from 3 to 8 p.m.  This is one of Indianapolis' greatest community events.

Apologies

My apologies for not updating the blog for a while. I have plenty to post but have been busy with new work.

Head over to my website to see some of the new work and I'll try to get busy here on the blog after I catch up on a couple of things.

Peace.

Ron

Biennial Iron Pour, Indianapolis Art Center

Click to Enlarge

Exhibiting at Cobblestone Grill, Zionsville, IN

Click to Enlarge

Carmel International(?) Art Fair

Carmel International Art Fair

Satch and I went to the Carmel International (whatever) Art Fair last Saturday.  It was a beautiful morning and their was a pretty good crowd.  As with any event in Carmel, the stroller brigade was out in full force.  The art being offered was pretty typical for the average art fair.  We always are impressed with all of the effort that is required of the artists and craftsmen to transport, set up and tear down their tents and other apparatus that is required to display the art.

Head

We had the pleasure of meeting Mary Lou Hess, an artist from New Albany, Indiana.  She is a fine printer and her work was enjoyable and inspirational.  We did purchase a print (shown above) that immediately spoke to both of us.

Mike and Karen Stroup

Mike Stroup with "The Crossing"

Wednesday evening Satch and I were invited by Mike and Karen Stroup to attend, at the University of Indianapolis' Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center Art Gallery, the 2010 Invision photography exhibit.

The evening began at Santorini's, a fine Greek restaurant in the Fountain Square area. Karen treated us to a feast of Greek foods fresh from Santorini's kitchen - hummus, Tzaziki, feta, olives, delicious pita bread, etc., etc. We were warmed by the towering flames while the server prepared Saganiki (flaming goat cheese). Karen, Mike and Satch enjoyed a bowl of mushroom soup while I attacked a Greek salad. The meal was finished off with Galaktabouriko, a sweet Greek custard garnished with powdered sugar and cinnamon. This is so good that is almost wrong.

Karen had set up the evening to celebrate Mike's work in the exhibit. We were so pleased to be asked to be a part of it.

Vowing to return in the near future, we bid αντίο to Santorini's and the four of us headed down to the exhibit. The Gallery in the Fine Arts Center is beautifully accomplished. It is a simple rectangular cube, but an inviting, room with high ceilings and excellent lighting. The design of the room makes the exhibited art the focus.

Mike exhibited four pieces, as did the other Invision artists. He chose to show two pairs of photographs. The first pair is from a fair and the second is from a location somewhere in rural America.

The fair photographs are studies in dimension, light and motion and human connection. The rural photographs are studies in, life's choices and journey and mortality.

Mike's contemporary work is full of various emotions. It is thought provoking but in an emotional way that is vague, leading the viewer to introspection. When I say his work is emotionally vague, I mean this in the best possible way. His work isn't "in your face" but it draws one in, evoking emotions that requires one while studying the work to mentally interact with the photographs.

The Crossing

"The Crossing" (I believe that is the correct title) just knocks me out. The elements and light in the photograph, in tandem with Mike's treatments, produces a photograph that is, in my mind, essentially flawless.

So, big and huge congratulations to Mike and the work he is exhibiting at the 2010 Invision exhibit. He told me that he is continuing to pursue his current direction and will be producing more work in the near future. I will try to patiently wait.

And, big and huge thanks to Karen and Mike for an excellent evening.

I've always been a supporter of Mike and his work and Satch and I deeply value our relationship with Karen and him. In the past I have written about them and how important they have been to me personally and to my work. Here's a link to a past post on my blog. I invite you to please take the time to read it. Thanks.

Dinner At Fitgerald's - A Very Short Film

I am working on a long post about our Labor Day Weekend in Michigan; but here is a taste in a very short film from Labor Day Night dinner with artist Harry Borgman, gallery owner, Craig Smith and Satch.

Self-portrait

Made this little self-portrait is Satch's studio yesterday...  (Click on the photograph to enlarge.)

New Work

Exploring more of a graphic direction...

Click on photo to enlarge.

New Series

Here's a screen shot of some working photographs from a series, Beauty Misleading, made this past week. Click on photo to enlarge.

And, I have posted some additional new work on my website.

IMA's Storage Facility

Satch and I had the unique opportunity to visit the Indiana Museum of Art's art storage area. It was a chance to see that the mission of the museum is much more than simply the exhibition of art work. Preserving the many works is a huge task that is obviously taken more than seriously. Everything is well thought out - organization and cataloging, earthquake protection, fire suppression, visibility without handling the object, etc., etc.


Emily Blyze, Jesse Speight and Satch at IMA

Even though the storage area has expanded over the years, they do need more room. The museum has undertaken a deaccession program that sells items that do not meet the mission of the museum or are duplicates (or very similar) of items already in the collection. The proceeds from that program are used to acquire more art. Jesse Speight, Superintendent of Storage and Packing, commented that the museum’s desire to acquire art is insatiable therefore the future need for additional storage space is continuous.

It was interesting to hear that only a scant 5% of the museum’s collection is on display. I always figured that the museum stored more than it exhibited but that number really surprised me.

Big and Huge thanks to IMA’s Jesse Speight and Emily Blyze, Member and Donor Relations Coordinator, for giving us the opportunity to experience the museum’s storage areas. During the tour Jesse shared some interesting stories about his job and gave us an excellent perspective of this hidden, yet incredibly significant, part of IMA.

Entry to IMA from the underground parking garage

Sidenotes: This opportunity was just another example of how IMA is making sure those interested stay engaged with and learn about all things at the Museum. IMA is the crown jewel of Indianapolis, IMHO. I will write more about how I feel about this in a future post. I will say, for now, that IMA doesn’t seem to be missing a beat in providing the city, and the world for that matter, with a first class museum.


Streams (Digital photograph made at IMA before the storage area tour)

New Video from Website

Here's a video that shows a series of images as I talk about my artistic vision. You can see a higher quality version on my website.

New Website

I've been working on a new website that will gather all of the galleries of work into one easy to access location - Ron Kern Photographer.

Working on a few new photographs

Got out this past weekend while it wasn't so incredibly hot and made a few photographs. This one is from a potential series, "Looking Up at Buildings."

New Online Gallery

I have posted a new online gallery for the collection of photographs at the Kellar Mahaney Gallery in Zionsville, Indiana. It is located in the right column below the artist statement.

Time Tunnel Fruit

Still struggling with the Impossible Project materials, but having a little more luck. Click on image to enlarge.

Study

Making some digital studies for the "So Satch Says" series. Click on photograph to enlarge.

Promoting in Zionsville

Satch and I have been very busy promoting our work at the Kellar Mahaney Gallery. Over the past two weeks we have met many new people and received excellent feedback on our work. Lolly, the owner of Kellar Mahaney Gallery is a top notch hostess and has the nicest gallery in Zionsville, IMHO. Zionsville's does have it going on when it comes to their gallery scene and village vibe. Check it out soon

First Friday, Kellar Mahaney Gallery, Zionsville

This evening please join Satch and I at the Kellar Mahaney Gallery where we will be showing and discussing our work. The Kellar Mahaney Gallery will be open from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., or maybe later.

That's right, Zionsville galleries also "celebrate" the first Friday of every month with extended hours and exhibition openings - ART AFTER FIVE.

Indystar.com article - click here.

Brick Street Gallery Walk

Update: Link to IndyStar.com article

Update: The weather is looking to be perfect for the Brick Street Gallery Walk!

Satch and I will be at the Kellar Mahaney Gallery this Friday (June 25, 2010) from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. for Zionsville's Brick Street Gallery Walk. We will be showing and discussing our work and Satch plans to be painting. The gallery is just north of the Friendly Tavern. Please stop by and see us and check out the Kellar Mahaney Gallery. Lolly, the owner, features a fine array of paintings assemblages, sculpture and photography. The gallery is bright and welcoming and you won't find a nicer gallery owner anywhere.

Main Street is closed to vehicle traffic so the bricks are only open to art lovers on foot. The streets are lined with artists, there are music performances and all of the galleries are having open houses. Zionsville's Village atmosphere makes for an incredible evening. This is one of the nicest annual art events in greater Indianapolis and definitely the most underrated.

We hope that you can make it to Zionsville for a part of, or the entire, Friday evening. Goodness knows Zionsville has some fab restaurants. I might just have to sneak over to Plum's Upper Room for a piece of their amazing carrot cake towards the end of the night...

The photograph shown in this post is a part of my collection at the Kellar Mahaney Gallery. It was made at St. Mary's in downtown Indianapolis. As always, click to enlarge the photograph.

Kellar Mahaney Gallery

Click on the poster to enlarge.

Michigan

Yesterday we returned from Michigan. We timed it perfectly so that we were caught right in the middle of a severe thunderstorm for the last five miles. Luckily, no hail.

Satch's opening at the Craig Smith Gallery was great fun and it was outstanding to see her excellent work on the walls of such a fine gallery. And, it was very cool for some good friends from Indianapolis to come up for the opening.

She will be posting her take, and some photos, on all of it in just a little while. When she does I will link to the post from here.

It was a pleasure seeing Harry Borgman, and his fiancee, Gloria Bursey. We also went to a lecture and exhibit at the Krasl in St. Joseph featuring a Craig Smith Gallery artist, Judith Mullen. Finally getting the chance to meet her was a treat as we have admired her work for many years.

All in all, it was quite a trip. The lake is always rejuvenating and we were able to spend some nice time walking the beach. I did attempt to make a few photographs. I'll know more about that on Wednesday.

Digital Photgraph from Satch's Camera

Beach Sand and Two Rocks

Satch and Craig Smith

Craig Smith and Satch discussing "WHAT UP! TEXT AS ART MMX"

Satch - WHAT UP! TEXT AS ART MMX - Craig Smith Gallery, Harbert Michigan

Click on images to enlarge

Jim's Ride

Here's a new piece from a recent trip to Michigan.

I thought that I would update this post with some commentary regarding "Jim's Ride."

This photograph was made in Michigan during "Art Attack" weekend. At first glance this appears to be another photograph of an old vehicle. Upon closer inspection the vehicle's fender's appear to be out of scale, there is no break in the body for the hood, there are no sides and there is no windshield. Those familiar with old cars probably don't recognize the make or the model.

All of this is because this is hardly a car. Rather it is a piece of art depicting the front of a car constructed by Jim Brandys of Three Oaks, Michigan. It is three dimensional, but greatly flattened out.

The light was perfect. Framing the photograph against the meadow and woods knowing the depth of field would render an impressionistic backdrop with no road in sight, along with the fact that, at first glance, this very real looking automobile is not at all real gives the scene a surrealistic appearance.

Satch and I had a chance to meet Jim and had a really nice talk. He is incredibly witty and with me being notoriously gullible, he got my goat more than once. He graciously invited us to his studio and we look forward to visiting his studio on our next trip.

As always, click on the image to enlarge.

New Work

Someone Else's Dream

So Satch Says 2

Here is another photograph in what may become the series, "So Satch Says." (Click on the photograph to enlarge)

More New Work

Another new photograph (click to enlarge).

Made at a downtown Indianapolis building - this portion of the building is symmetrical, with the exception of the vent that protrudes from the sheet metal, which I really liked.

I isolated the wall's elements and presented them at an obtuse angle. Interesting elements at the edge of, and elements extending beyond, the boundaries gives the photograph tension.

New Photograph

Here's a new multiple exposure photograph that was made late last week (click to enlarge). I hope to have some more new work coming soon. This is the most autobiographical photograph that I have ever made. Making the photograph, I actually surprised myself.

Weegee at the Indianapolis Museum of Art

360 degree panorama of the exhibit

Shots in the Dark

Photographs by Weegee the Famous

Without any fanfare, on Saturday April 17 the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) opened their Weegee exhibit, “Shots in the Dark.

On the way home from a camping trip in Kentucky, two women purchased a trunk at a yard sale. Inside the trunk were 210 vintage Weegee prints and 62 letters. The trunk was assumed to be at one time in the possession of Wilma Wilcox, Weegee’s companion. The material was shown to an Indianapolis rare documents dealer. Subsequently, through purchase and a partial gift, IMA acquired the collection. Although the collection is small as compared to the Weegee archive in the International Center of Photography, the collection of photographs represents a wide overview of Weegee’s career so it is a very nice addition to IMA’s modest photography collection.

Weegee’s (Arthur Fellig) career is a storied one of photographing crime scenes and the seedy side of New York City. He also experimented with darkroom and in-camera manipulations, even having a Hasselblad and other cameras with a kaleidoscope attached to its lens!

On Saturday friends Denis Ryan and Mary Ann Kelly, Connie Price, my wife Satch and I met for lunch at the Nourish Cafe and then took in the exhibition.

“Shots in the Dark” presents 48 photographs. The exhibit appears to reflect the entire collection as it presents a broad overview of Weegee’s work. Not only are there the expected journalistic photographs, but some of his more “artistic” photographs, such as darkroom manipulations of the Mona Lisa, Picasso and Bette Davis and a kaleidoscope image of people entering London’s Tate to view a Picasso exhibition are shown.

The photographs are grouped in a thoughtful way. The photographs are shown in context with similarly themed images. The prints are exquisite. The photograph’s accompanying explanations are well written and full of information helping the viewer understand the work. The inclusion of quotes from Weegee is a very nice touch and almost makes one feel that Weegee himself is guiding a tour of the exhibit.

The work is framed in lightly colored, somewhat wide, wooden frames and the wall colors are sort of a light “latte” color. (This was the same presentation theme used for the exhibit "Paired Photographs.") While this scheme matches nicely with the hardwood floor, simple narrow dark frames and a more neutral gray wall color would better complement the work; in my opinion, of course.

The exhibit being limited in scope only whetted my appetite. It is always easy to complain and want more of something, but the high quality of this exhibit really did make me wish for another roomful of Weegee’s work. I fear that IMA will believe that this exhibit is adequate for presentation of the Weegee collection. Here’s hoping that a comprehensive exhibit of the collection including all of the prints (that are suitable for exhibition) along with the letters along with the letters will be organized and shown in the near future.

“Shots in the Dark” is the third exhibition of photography over the last two years. “On the Road Again with Jack Kerouac and Robert Frank” featured 83 photographs from Robert Frank’s seminal work, “Le Americains” along with the 120 foot long original scrolled transcript of Kerouac’s “On the Road." “Paired Photographs” explored various themes by pairing historic, modern and contemporary photographs from the museum’s collection.

It is great that the IMA, under the direction of Maxwell Anderson, is embracing photography. That being said, while briefly speaking with Mr. Anderson at the Tara Donovan opening we found out that IMA does not have a photography curator. He did encourage us to write to the curators at IMA and request more photographic exhibitions. And I would encourage the readers of this blog to do the same.

Don’t miss “Shots in the Dark.” It is a great opportunity to see the work of Weegee, one of photography’s masters.

Photographs from IMA's Weegee collection

New Work and "Variations"

Here are a couple of new pieces that I've been working on. They were made with my new Holgamod. I really don't have much to say about the photographs at this point; maybe later. The top image is entitled "So Satch Says" and the lower image, "Sentries." And, yes, you have to click on the images to enlarge. (Hi Roz.)

Thanks to everybody that came out to the reception for the "Variations" exhibit. The exhibit looks great and presents a nice cross section of work that examines four very different approaches to the art of photography.

Big and Huge thanks to Ginny Taylor Rosner and Lesley Meier for all of their hard work in making the exhibition an exceptional reality - and especially for their dedication in making art a part of the community.

Pinhole

Here's a new piece from the pinhole, and the first one to be posted on the blog. The photograph was made two weeks ago on the first warm day of Spring at IMA. As always, click on the photograph to enlarge.

Variations, A Gathering of Photographic Ideas

Click on Postcard to Enlarge

Opening March 31, Irvington's Bona Thompson Memorial Center hosts the exhibition, “Variations, A Gathering of Photographic Ideas.” Presenting new works are K.C. Ferrill, Craig McCormick, Joel Butler and myself. The exhibit runs through May 16.

I appreciate the opportunity afforded to me by Ginny Taylor Rosner to be included in this exhibition of fine photographic artists. The suite of six photographs that I am showing reflect the present day’s political and economic climate and the corresponding search for inner spirituality. The photographs are nailed into pine frames handmade by Ed Satchwill II. It is exciting to be a part of an exhibition in such a historically significant building as the Bona Thompson Memorial Center.

An artist's reception will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on April 9, where the photographic artists will be available to discuss their new work.

The exhibition is sponsored by the Irvington Guild of Artists, INvision: Alliance of Photographic Artists and the Irvington Historical Society.

For additional information call Ron Kern at (317) 507-7888.

Bona Thompson Memorial Center

5350 University Avenue

Indianapolis, Indiana 46219

(317)353-2662

Hours of the Exhibition

First Fridays, April 2 and May 7, 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Wednesdays 1 - 3 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays 1 - 4 p.m.

and by appointment

The location of the exhibit is on University Ave. just west of S. Downey Ave.

View Larger Map

Group Exhibit +

Delivered suite of six photographs to the Bona Thompson Memorial Center today. I'm excited about the exhibit and am looking forward to showing some new work.

I have now compartmentalized my work into three approaches. The work in this exhibit reflects the present day political and economic climate and the corresponding search for inner spirituality. All the images were made with a Holga camera. The photographs are nailed into simple pine frames made by Ed Satchwill II (Satch's brother). The photographs are covered in window pane glass. The photographs and the framing are integral in the presentation of the subject matter.

(Maybe some really big Satch news coming soon...)

Tamales

Went to Broad Ripple Village last evening for tamales at La Piedad. Excellent. Afterwords Satch and I walked down to Big Hat Books to check out Kyle Ragsdale's exhibit. Big Hat was supposed to be closed but the owner, Elizabeth Barden let us in to view the exhibit.

Kyle's work is excellent and the exhibit presents an inviting cross section of variation of techniques and expressions. My favorite piece is entitled, "Procession." Kyle's exhibit, in one of our few independent bookstores, serves as a reminder that the greater Indianapolis art scene is incredibly rich. And for the quality of work, the art, for the most part, is astonishingly affordable.

American Dream II

The second time I visited the scene, the sign had changed to "For Lease." The business was gone but, on the porch, the flag still flew. This time I wanted to examine the scene from several points of view.

Today the sign is gone, the flag is gone. Is this scene a metaphor for the decay and loss of the American Dream?

I do plan to return to the site and photograph the empty window and flagless front porch.

This photograph is entitled "American Dream II."

American Dream I

I first came across this scene late last fall. The hand painted sign at that time proclaimed, "Hiring." In my mind this was good news. The scene was soon to change.

This photograph is entitled "American Dream I."

New Work

Here's a new Holga image. It is entitled "High Treazon." As always, click on the image to enlarge.

Working on the images for the April exhibit at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center. More info when I've got a little more time.

New Work

This is a new piece that I've been working on for the last week. Click on the photograph to enlarge.

More info coming soon about a group exhibit at the Bona Thompson Memorial Center in Irvington (Indianapolis).

Satch Exhibits New Work From The Series "Below Here Lies Nothing" At Henry's On East Coffee Bistro

My wife, Satch, has a new exhibit.

Opening March 1 at Henry's On East Coffee Bistro in the Mass Ave District in downtown Indianapolis, artist Satch presents new work from her series, “Below Here Lies Nothing.” Featuring thirteen paintings and seven assemblages, the exhibit runs through March 31.

Fresh from the 2009 group exhibit Postcards from Dystopia at Nolia's Gallery in London England, Satch has been busy creating paintings by "re-purposing" canvasses and constructing assemblages that recycle vintage ephemera and discovered objects.

"I am excited to be exhibiting at Henry's. This is a terrific chance for a great many people to experience my work," Satch said. "The work from my new series, "Below Here Lies Nothing," a pun that refers to repurposing canvasses, examines human relationships - how we feel about, speak of and live with each other."

An opening reception will be from 6 to 10 p.m. on First Friday, March 5, where Satch will be available to discuss her new work.

For additional information call Ron Kern at (317) 507-7888 or visit http://satch-artist.com

Henry's On East Coffee Bistro

627 North East Street

Indianapolis, IN 46202

(317) 951-0335

Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sunday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

(Image - "I Am Available," Mixed Media, 2'x3' ©Satch 2010)