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)

Sign, Saugatuck, Michigan

I have been photographing this sign for many years. This Holga triptych is the best one yet. This sign has been well maintained for all of the years that we have been visiting Saugatuck, so somebody is very committed to getting this message across to all of those that pass by.

Click on the photograph to enlarge. (I'm starting to think may I should have named the blog "Click to Enlarge.")

A Departure

Here's a departure from the plastic camera images. Satch found some forgotten digital files.

Over the course of last year I made several digital photographs as an exercise in minimalism. I liked this one. As always, click to enlarge.

New Work

Starting on a new project. More information will be coming in the future. Here's a work photo from the project.

Satch IMA Portrait No. 2

Another recent portrait from IMA. No alteration or additions from photoshop on this one. Again, click to enlarge.

Portrait of Satch

Here's a portrait of Satch with the Holga at one of IMA's European galleries. I had some fun with photoshop and made the environment surreal. The holes in the bottom of the boots are real. Click on photo to enlarge.

Noblesville, Indiana

Here's a new photograph that is part of a new piece on which I'm working.

Carmel Artist Satch featured in London Group Exhibition

I am thrilled that Satch was chosen to produce a work for this exhibit:

Opening with a private reception on December 3 Nolias Gallery in London England presents "Postcards from Dystopia," an international exhibition of thirty artists presenting visions of a menacing universe with a collection of postcard sized works. This group exhibit is in conjunction with a showcase of larger paintings of ominous dystopian territories by Tutte Newall and Andrew Hladky. The exhibition runs through December 21.

In May Carmel artist Satch was selected to produce a work for the exhibit. Her work entitled, "Unknown Pleasure" depicts the long lost pleasure of conceiving and bearing a child into the world. Re-population has been replaced with a surgical procedure and all women eventually become barren. It is an assemblage including a vintage wood box, nails, assorted paper and a commercial hair trimming attachment.

Dystopia is a futuristic or imagined territory where a universal menace prevails. Our present culture holds a fascination with the concept of our own ordered civilization's collapse into chaos. Curated by Tutte Newall, 'Postcards from Dystopia" explores this idea by delving into the realms of the imaginary and issuing visions from a dystopian and desolate environment.

Located in Bankside at 60 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BL, Nolias Gallery is just five minutes from Tate Modern.

For additional information contact Satch via email, Satch@indy.net and visit her website, http://satch-artist.com where the work, "Unknown Pleasure" can be viewed.

New Work

This photograph was made on a recent trip to Bloomington, Indiana where Satch and I took in an amazing Bob Dylan show.

New Work

This photograph was made in Noblesville, Indiana using the shape and form of silos along with an afternoon of incredible light.

More New Work

Greater Faith House of Prayer, Central Avenue, Indianapolis. I had been looking to make this photograph for at least the last year. On this sunny afternoon, everything was just right.

New Work

Taken in the rain looking into the sun which was veiled with cloud cover - an elevated gasoline advertising sign from an abandoned truck stop on a Michigan highway.

I feel like a portion of my work is starting to take on an undertone of the recessionary, yet still consumer driven, times in which we live.

A couple of reminders

Two Reminders:

Singular Images at Midland Arts and Antiques Market Downtown and The Spirit of Place: Northern New Mexico at Midland Arts Carmel, run through November 30th.

and

"A Petite Format Exhibit" at Zionsville's Kellar Mahaney Gallery opens at Noon this Saturday. Click here for an article about the exhibit from the Indianapolis Star.

A Petite Format Exhibit

I am providing four photographs for the following exhibit:

"A Petite Format Exhibit"
Small Art Works for the Gift-Giving Season

Selected Local and Regional Artists

November 7, 2009 through January 16, 2010

Kellar Mahaney Gallery

270 South Main Street in Zionsville, Indiana



The Kellar Mahaney Gallery is a premier gallery of contemporary fine art in Zionsville. If you have never been to the gallery, I invite you to make the drive to Zionsville to visit. The space is great, there is an excellent variety of work and the staff is warm and friendly.

Boo!

Artist Reception Oct. 11, 1 to 4 p.m.

Thunderstorm and Moonrise over Angel Fire, NM
(Click on photograph to enlarge)

This Sunday, October 11, from 1 to 4 p.m., Julie and I are hosting a reception at Midland Arts Carmel for the exhibit, The Spirit of Place: Northern New Mexico. Please join us for refreshments and I will be discussing and answering questions about the exhibition's photographs. Scroll down the blog for directions to Midland Arts Carmel. We look forward to seeing you.

Singular Images - Opens October 2, 2009

(Click on card to enlarge)

Artist Statement

The photographs in the exhibit are singular images. They were made in reaction to a place (physical or mental), an environment, or an opportunity. They were not made as a part of a body of work.

Some images were made in a moment’s notice, even out of the car window. Some images were thought out as an expression of what I was feeling or thinking about. Some images were made when an opportunity presented itself to record a frozen instant of time. Some images were made when I wanted to look beyond the obvious characteristics and form of a subject.

The graffiti photographs were made several ago years on a beautiful sunny day at an abandoned water tank in rural New Mexico. While going through my archive, these images made an impression on my wife, Julie, and me. She felt that there was a concept waiting to be harvested. In the past, we have both made images of graffiti. Typically we use a smaller detail out of a larger scene for the subject. This same concept was applied to the two photographs of graffiti - the larger scene is broken down into smaller singular images.

The installation concept of the exhibit was created, designed and implemented by Julie Kern of Satch Art Studio.

The graffiti photographs were made with a 4”x5” Crown Graphic. All other photographs were made with a Diana+ or a Holga, both plastic cameras. The photographs are archivally printed on Museo Silver Rag paper.

Enormous thanks to Robert Lebow, M.D., Steve, Shannon, Greg, Michael and everybody at Midland for making this exhibit possible. Special thanks to Johnathan for placing exhibit postcards all over downtown Indianapolis.

Ron Kern

September 2009

The Spirit of Place: Northern New Mexico Opens Tonight

Here's a reminder that there is an artist reception this evening from 5 to 8 PM at Midland Arts, 488 Gradle Drive in Carmel. Please join us this evening, bring a friend or two, have a glass of wine and enjoy the exhibit. Remember, the Carmel International Arts Festival is this weekend. Stopping by Midland Arts to relax after attending the festival would be a perfect way to unwind.

The early reviews of the work are very positive. I look forward to sharing the photographs and answering any questions about the work.

The Exhibit: Photographs presenting the spirit of the culture and landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Opening Saturday, September 26, 2009 in conjunction with the Carmel International Arts Festival

Opening Reception Hosted by Midland Arts: Saturday, September 26, 5 - 8 PM

Artist Reception: Sunday, October 11, 1 - 4 PM (Satch and I will be hosting this one)

Exhibit Ends: November 30, 2009

Northern New Mexico can simply mean the northern part of New Mexico, but in cultural terms it typically means the area of heavy Spanish settlement and the eight northern Indian pueblos located in the north central portion of the state.

The Spanish and Native American cultures, many times intertwined, meld with the landscape, sky and ever-changing light making Northern New Mexico an intoxicating and inspiring place.

The Spanish and Native American cultures meld with the landscape, sky and ever-changing light, making Northern New Mexico an inspiring place.

The arts are an inescapable and important element in the culture. Pueblo potters and jewelers, and Spanish carvers and weavers, are all a large part of the fabric of life. Over the years, artists from all parts of the world have made their way to Northern New Mexico. Many exceptional artists, such as Sharp, Blumenschein, Higgins, Fechin and O’Keefe made Northern New Mexico their home and not only left their indelible mark on the art world, but also helped shape the way we view, and think about, Northern New Mexico.

Religion is an important part of day to day life in New Mexico and is the basis for the rich history of the southwestern United States and especially Northern New Mexico. The eventual conquest of the Native Americans by the Spanish resulted in Catholicism being the predominant religion of the region. But, the Catholic religion does not have a straightforward existence. The pueblo culture intertwines Catholicism with ancient Indian religious rites. One will find both Catholic churches and kivas in pueblo villages. The Penitente Brotherhood has a long history in Northern New Mexico and is still active. Morada’s dot the landscape where the Brotherhood meets to serve its community.

Northern New Mexico is rich in its cultural significance, spirituality and landscape - the oldest church in the United States is in Santa Fe, Native Americans continue to sell their wares at the Palace of the Governors, deep red light envelopes the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) mountains at sunset, evidence of miracles abound at Santuario de Chimayo, Spanish villages are tucked into the mountains on the High Road to Taos, Taos Pueblo, and on and on. Experiencing the sacred spirit found in all that embodies and forms Northern New Mexico’s history and existence will change one’s perspective on life.

Over the course of many, many years of visiting and experiencing Northern New Mexico, I made numerous photographs, some of which are in this exhibit of fine photography that presents the spirit of this captivating and fascinating place.

Ron Kern
September 2009

As previously mentioned, I have quite a bit of work from the last year to go through.

Here are a couple of photographs from Fountain Square in Indianapolis. Yep, color photographs.

I need to get back down there and make more pictures.

Lake Michigan Sequence

Here's a sequence of Lake Michigan on which I've been working - from our last trip up in July. Mike, I know you will want me to explain what I am trying to express, but I'll wait until we again meet to discuss this with you and Karen. My guess is that Karen will see it immediately, but her focus is so much better than mine.

Click on the sequence to enlarge.

Portrait & House

Here's more new work. These photographs were made in Nashville and Beanblossom, Indiana a couple of weeks ago.

Don't forget to click on the photographs to enlarge.