I must admit that I initially went to see Colby Caldwell's photographs at the Hemphill Gallery in Washington with a bit of prejudice.
After all, here was the same old incestuous story: Some college student drops out of being a professional student to become an artist. He/she then goes to the Corcoran School of Art and Arts Networking and graduates.
Soon afterwards, by some small Corcoranesque miracle he/she begin selling work to museums (notably the Corcoran); conversely, these folks never actually sell any significant work to anyone else! I was prepared to see the same old artjunk photography - you know the kind... an out of focus hand just exiting a blurred framed, Nan Goldin getting beaten up by her boyfriend, people dying of some P.C. disease, people dying in general, burning oil fields...
Instead, what I found was the haunting work of a photographer who delivers eerie, surreal images which tap into some ancestral fears as well as the dark corners of the human mind. The work seems to become likable by itself. He starts by using a large format camera and often photograph a television image (Harlan Ellison would love this!). He then takes the work into the darkroom and using an enviable set of photographic skills, he begins experimenting with some rather odd techniques to deliver the final product.
I was told that Caldwell actually sometimes wraps his enlarger in plastic or lucid materials such as pantyhose or stockings to influence the final image. He then plays with the darkroom to deliver five photographic prints of each negative. I must admit that I was astounded by the final product, which almost had the visual texture and quality of a Renaissance chiaroscuro painting or a David Waterson mezzotint.
This is truly great art photography, not the marketing-genius fake photography of Mapplethorpe, or the exploitative photography of Salgado, or the "see-how-bad-the-world-treats-me" photography of Nan Goldin. Caldwell's works are the inspiring creations of a man armed with a camera, no fear of hard work, control over the darkroom and plenty of guts. His kind of skills and work ethic is the reason why the Iris printer photographer will always remain (to me anyway) as someone who is taking a shortcut to visual deliverance.
My highest possible recommendations to this show, which runs until October 26, 1996. The gallery is located at 1027 33rd St NW in Georgetown, (202) 342-5610.
There is a great show at the Target Gallery! It is a collection of editorial/political cartoon drawings by 20 or so cartoonists from around the country. The show is quite entertaining and frankly more interesting than a lot of so called "high" art hanging in the area this month. This is the work of highly talented and creative artists who are able to distill the essence of an issue down to (in most cases) one simple image. I particularly liked Roman Genn's "Perot" and Rick Parker's "Bubba and Butt-Head."
Conspicuously absent from the show were any female (as far as I could tell by names) cartoonists. Superb show and a terrific change of pace exhibition, which hopefully will become an annual Target Gallery event!
Also in Alexandria, The Athenaeum has the area debut of Laurence Amos, whose work I think is the best new debut in this area in the three years I've been here! Amos is an untrained artist who works with magic markers, liquid crayons, ordinary crayons and other (unfortunately) fugitive media. His brilliant observation skills are coupled with inspiring satirical talent to create street which teem with people, small worlds, startling signs, lots of hints and allusion to race, religion, foreign affairs... in a loss of words, I cannot say enough good things about it!! In 17 years of reviewing art shows, this is the FIRST artist I would recommend without any fears as a "must buy now" artist. My kudos to the Athenaeum for having "discovered" this artist, and I hope that he gets picked up SOON by a commercial gallery in D.C.
Lastly, let me recommend a couple of alternative art places I've recently discovered. In the District, "Ruthless Grip" is an alternative space above Atticus Books at 1508 U Street, NW. They change directions often, go check them out. A bit further up north, go check out the 49 West Cafe & Gallery space at 49 West Street in Annapolis (301) 626-9796. Don't expect to find many tourists here, as this is a heavily guarded Annapolis' "only locals" secret. However, this is the best art space in a city dominated by art galleries full of sailboats watercolors and prints. In October they are showing the work of Scott Stevanus (opening reception on October 6, 6-8 p.m.) and in November they have a hugely creative show with seven artists (painters, poets, writers, etc.) which I will review. 49 West is the best art space in this city and they also have great food!
You don't know who Harlan Ellison or David Waterson are??? Drop me an email! F. Lennox Campello can be reached at lennycampello@hotmail.com
