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Wander Through the Joyous ‘Elysian Arcs,’ a New Prismatic Inflatable Installation by Atelier Sisu

By in Art World News

Wander Through the Joyous ‘Elysian Arcs,’ a New Prismatic Inflatable Installation by Atelier Sisu

Photos by David Levene. All images © Atelier Sisu, shared with permission

Through a vibrant expression of joy, Atelier Sisu’s newest installation at the Leadenhall Building in central London counters feelings of anxiety and the tribulations of upheaval. “The world is at the precipice of change,” say Renzo B. Larriviere and Zara Pasfield of the Sydney-based studio. “This change can be felt from all directions, from climatic influences, political feuds, economic fluctuations, and social pressures.”

“Elysian Arcs” is part of RECHARGE 2024, an initiative responding to concerning trends in the mental health of London’s young professionals. Following the duo’s installation titled “Evanescent” in the same location last year, the new iteration incorporates the playfulness of their self-described “bubble-tecture” along with rainbow-like arches that gleam with a pastel sheen.

During the past year, Larriviere and Pasfield have been exploring the possibilities of dichroic materials and curvatures, which lends the iridescence evocative of soap bubbles. The surface of “Elysian Arcs” is designed to allow light to move across both the external and internal surfaces in a way that produces the greatest array of colors, which shift as one moves around or through the piece.

“We really believe in the democratisation of art and architecture, bringing art out of the gallery and into the everyday public realm—bridging the gap between cultural institutions and the urban fabric,” Atelier Sisu says. “With today’s ever-evolving technologies, we, as designers, have the capacity to change our traditional perception of what public spaces can be and how we are able to enhance and experience them.”

“Elysian Arcs” is on view through March 15. See more on the studio’s website.

 

People walk through an inflatable installation in the Leadenhall Building in London.

Looking up at a colorful inflatable arch installation inside a modern building in London.

An inflatable installation of arches and spheres that have a soap bubble-like appearance inside a modern building in London.  Looking up at an inflatable installation of arches and spheres inside a modern building.

Looking up at an inflatable installation of arches and spheres inside a modern London building.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Wander Through the Joyous ‘Elysian Arcs,’ a New Prismatic Inflatable Installation by Atelier Sisu appeared first on Colossal.

Meredith Mashburn discusses photography

By in Photography

Meredith Mashburn discusses photography
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In this week’s excerpt of “I Am Northwest Arkansas,” host Randy Wilburn speaks with Alice Gachuzo Colin, a Springdale resident who’s wholly invested in her city. She works with the Springdale Martin Luther King, Jr. observation, the voter registration organization: Get Loud Arkansas, and went headlong into politics when she ran for Springdale City Council.

Celebrating Gordon Parks, a Pioneering Photographer of Black American Life

By in Photography

Celebrating Gordon Parks, a Pioneering Photographer of Black American Life

A new, expanded edition of the documentary photographer’s Born Black arrives alongside an exhibition of his work at New York’s Jack Shainman Gallery

March 05, 2024

In 1942, the great photographer Gordon Parks arrived in Washington, DC. He had been hired by the Farm Security Administration on the strength of his photographs documenting Chicago’s African American residents. Parks arrived at the nation’s capital – in his own words, a “radiant, historic place” – but was quickly greeted by racism that ran “rampant”. 

Angered, shocked, and humiliated, Parks returned to the offices of the FSA, where he met Ella Watson, a Black woman who worked there as a cleaner. After speaking with Watson, Parks asked if he could photograph her. The resulting image, American Gothic, would become one of his best-known photographs, an ironic, searing take on the iconic Grant Wood painting of the same name. For the more than fifty years Parks photographed, he would continue to channel his frustration, rage, and love of his people, wielding his camera to create images that are now essential records of American history and life.

19Born Black by Gordon Parks

In 1948, Life hired Parks to work as a staff photographer and writer. Throughout the next few decades, he would chronicle some of the most significant events of the civil rights and Black Power movements, such as the 1963 March on Washington, and the deaths of Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X. With the aid of literary editor Genevieve Young, Parks would go on to publish Born Black, a collection of nine articles commissioned by Life from 1963 to 1970. Published in 1971, it was the first book to unite Parks’s writing and photography, and featured notable essays on the Black Panther Party as well as charismatic figures Stokely Carmichael and Muhammad Ali. 

On May 7, Steidl will publish an expanded and redesigned edition of Born Black. In conjunction with the book’s release, Jack Shainman Gallery will host an exhibition of Parks’s work, which opens March 7 at their Chelsea location. Edited by Peter W. Kunhardt Jr and Michal Raz-Russo of the Gordon Parks Foundation, this thorough new version of Born Black includes the original text and images, as well as additional photographs, manuscripts, correspondence, and reproductions of the original Life magazine spreads, which contextualize the original work. Notably, the original book featured just 24 images, while this new edition contains 179. 

Another illuminating addition to the original text are essays by scholars Nicole R. Fleetwood and Jelani Cobb. “Revisiting Born Black has given me the opportunity to sit with what a multi-talented visionary Parks was,” says Fleetwood. “Not only was his photography among the most significant visual documentation of the 20th century, he was also a gifted writer, orator, [and] cultural ambassador who could navigate complicated political, social, and class terrains. He was truly a man of the world, with deep curiosity and ethical commitments.”

“On a scholarly and theoretical level, the book has provided space to consider the various meanings and debates about what it means to be Black, and Blackness as a political, philosophical, and aesthetic category.” In her probing essay for the book, Fleetwood examines the omissions in the original Born Black, namely the contributions of women who led the civil rights and Black power movements: Angela Davis, Elaine Brown, and Erica Huggins, to name a few.

Although Parks is primarily known as a photographer and filmmaker, Born Black reveals how writing, for Parks, was “the most personal and intimate form of expression throughout his life”. Parks’s text is integral to the book’s power; in it, he offers elaboration and contemplation, revealing his complex relationship to race and the movements he observed.

Within Parks’s images, one finds a clarity of truth, a sheer honesty, and an undeniable love of humanity. In his legendary Lecture on Pictures, Frederick Douglass declared: “Pictures, like songs, should be left to make their own way in the world. All they can reasonably ask of us is that we place them on the wall, in the best light, and for the rest allow them to speak for themselves.” Parks knew when and how to let his images speak, and thankfully, fifty-three years later, they still do.

Gordon Parks: Born Black is on view at Jack Shainman Gallery New York from March 7 to April 13, 2024.

UNRWA photographer recounts Israeli killing of his daughter

By in Photography

UNRWA photographer recounts Israeli killing of his daughter
NewsFeed

‘I relive it every single day.’ A Palestinian father and UNRWA photographer returns to the place where Israeli forces killed his four-year-old daughter while following evacuation orders to flee to south Gaza.

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Published On 5 Mar 20245 Mar 2024

Reviving Athens’ Neapoli: Hellenic American Union Showcases Distri…

By in Photography

Reviving Athens’ Neapoli: Hellenic American Union Showcases Distri…
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In a blend of historical insight and artistic flair, a major exhibition at the Hellenic American Union is set to breathe new life into Neapoli, one of Athens’ oldest districts, famed for its intellectual legacy and cultural diversity. Opening on Tuesday evening, the showcase features a unique collection of rare photographs and contemporary art, aiming to reconnect the public with the area’s vibrant past and its significance in the evolution of modern Athens. The exhibition, which celebrates the district’s development from a spiritual hub to an anthropological melting pot, will run until May 25.

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Historical Tapestry Unveiled

Neapoli, nestled between the Lycabettus and Strefi hills, saw its genesis post-1850 as Athenians ventured northeast in search of unclaimed land. Its proximity to the University of Athens catalyzed a construction boom, attracting not just local students but scholars from across the Greek diaspora. This influx turned the neighborhood into a cradle of intellectualism, housing many of Greece’s renowned thinkers and creators. Through the lens of both historical photographs and modern artistic interpretations, the exhibition seeks to capture the essence of Neapoli’s transformation from mere geographical space to a beacon of cultural and intellectual activity.

Linking Past and Present

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The exhibition’s curators have meticulously selected pieces that not only document the architectural and social evolution of the district but also evoke the spirit of the times. Visitors are invited to embark on a journey through time, exploring how Neapoli’s streets, buildings, and its people contributed to shaping the intellectual landscape of Athens. The showcase serves as a reminder of the district’s role in fostering a vibrant community of thinkers, writers, and artists, whose influence permeated the broader cultural fabric of the city.

A Cultural Melting Pot

The area’s unique character is attributed to its diverse inhabitants, who arrived from various provinces and corners of the Greek world. This melting pot of cultures and ideas not only enriched Neapoli’s social life but also played a pivotal role in the district’s historical significance. By highlighting this multicultural aspect, the exhibition underscores the importance of diversity and inclusivity in contributing to the dynamism of urban life. It invites reflection on how historical narratives shape our understanding of contemporary cities and their cultural heritage.

As the exhibition draws to a close, it leaves us pondering the intricate layers of history that constitute urban identities. Neapoli’s story is a testament to the enduring power of community, intellect, and cultural exchange in shaping the cities we live in today. This showcase not only revives forgotten chapters of Athens’ past but also encourages us to appreciate the rich tapestry of histories that underpin our modern urban landscapes.

Emerging Talent Award Unveils Top Young Photographers: Tariq Sadu …

By in Photography

Emerging Talent Award Unveils Top Young Photographers: Tariq Sadu …
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This year’s Emerging Talent Award, evolving from the previous Student Photographer of the Year accolade, invited aspiring young photographers to submit their online portfolios, showcasing up to 12 images alongside an artist statement. In a competition that saw entries anonymized and judged by a distinguished panel, Tariq Sadu emerged as the winner, with Edward Matthews and Will Palmer following closely.

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Innovative Approach to Portrait Photography

Tariq Sadu, a 25-year-old self-taught portrait photographer from South London, captivated the judges with his creative approach to portraiture. His work, characterized by the use of wide-angle lenses and the depiction of his local environment, particularly council estates, offers a fresh perspective on London’s landscape. Sadu’s commitment to challenging the norms of portrait photography and embracing his surroundings has not only defined his style but also allowed him to produce work that resonates with a broader audience. His achievements include a feature on GQ‘s website, highlighting the impact and reach of his work.

Edward Matthews: From Nightclub to Conflict Zones

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Edward Matthews, 25, made a significant career shift from nightclub photography to documenting conflict zones in Ukraine. Motivated by the desire to contribute meaningfully through his photography, Matthews has been supporting grassroots humanitarian aid groups. This transition has allowed him to capture compelling images that facilitate donor funding, directly impacting the lives of the Ukrainian people. Matthews’ journey underscores the power of photography to effect change and the importance of independent storytelling in today’s media landscape.

Will Palmer: Capturing the Essence of Sports

Will Palmer, a 26-year-old photographer from Yorkshire, secured the third place with his exceptional sports photography portfolio. Palmer’s passion for photography began in school and has since evolved into a professional career, capturing moments from major sports events. His work, published in national press and global brand channels, reflects not only his skill in capturing the intensity and emotion of sports but also his dedication to inspiring others to pursue photography. Palmer’s journey from capturing friends at local sports events to working at international levels exemplifies the growth and potential within the field of sports photography.

The Emerging Talent Award has highlighted the diverse and dynamic talents of young photographers today. From Sadu’s innovative portraits to Matthews’ impactful conflict documentation, and Palmer’s captivating sports imagery, these photographers are reshaping the landscape of photography. Their work not only reflects their personal journeys and commitment to their craft but also the power of photography to tell stories, evoke emotions, and drive change. As they continue to explore and define their paths, their contributions are a testament to the evolving narrative of photography and its role in contemporary society.

Bath photographer finds couple featured in sunset pic

By in Photography

Bath photographer finds couple featured in sunset pic

By Jasmine Ketibuah-FoleyBBC News, West of England

imageSimon Lees An orange evening sunset in Bath looking over hills. In the bottom right corner there is a couple sat together looking at the view, facing away from the cameraSimon Lees
The image captures the Bath skyline during sunset

A photographer tracked down a couple he photographed in an award-winning photo only to discover they have since broken up.

Simon Lees’ image of the sun setting over Bath won him the Sunday Times Big Shot competition in 2020.

The mystery couple in the foreground contacted him after seeing his appeal to track them down and give them a copy of “the special moment in time”.

Salam said it was a “hilarious” when he realised it was him and his ex Beth.

“That day we decided to sit there on the hill and chill and chat for a little while we were just having a drink looking at the sunset,” he said

imageSalam SalamSalam
Salam said the picture shows an “amazing” side of Bath

“It was during a time when people were taking in nature more at the start of Covid-19.

“I think it’s the best view of Bath and the picture is amazing – it could be a poster for Bath.”

Mr Lees captured the image of Bath’s skyline while on a walk through the fields overlooking Horseshoe Walk, above the canal in Widcombe.

He said Salem and Beth have both contacted him separately to verify they are the people in the picture.

imageSimon Lee smiling on a Zoom call
Simon Lees said he will donate any money raised from selling the photograph to charity

“They were just in the right place at the right time and it created a story and a romantic twist – but on this occasion the wrong outcome,” he said.

“I think it’s unfortunate they split up as I would have loved to have given them a framed picture as a memento.

“But they’re still in contact with each other.”

The photographer has since decided to give them each a copy of the image and to also auction it off to raise money for charity.

“There’s a lot of cancer history in my family and I recently had it. It affects so many people.

“I also normally raise money for Dorothy Hospice so would like to give some to them too, but haven’t decided yet,” he added.

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