Within the exhibit there are conceptual investigations of what constitutes a photograph, as well as materials explorations with alternative processes like liquid photo emulsion. Many of the photographers on display (like yours truly) are really dealing with the conceptual framework through material process, which is probably the most unifying element to what is essentially a very visually disparate exhibit.
There is a heavy digital component to the show, as apparently the validity of digital images/manipulations continues to be a contentious subject among the photographic community (despite the fact that much of the world now produces images using digital means).
In fact, the work that resonated most profoundly for me was a digital composite by Amy Elkins titled 11 Years out of a Death Row Sentence (river) which perfectly conveyed its spiritual tenor through a very knowing homage to the cathartic Pictorial tradition that is so rampant in landscape photography. This image alone is worth the visit to Newspace this weekend, but there are also great works by J. Swofford, Buzzy Sullivan, Shawn Darwent, Emidio Puglielli, Lauren Grabelle and Ben Panter.
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Photography at the Edge | 2013 Themed Exhibition
Newspace Center for Photography
1632 SE 10th Ave. Portland OR 97214
Mon-Thurs: 10am-9:30pm
Fri-Sun: 10am-6pm