/fine art photography

The Curated Collection | David Leventi

I have a confession to make: I am fascinated by the history of art, architecture, music and cultured society as represented by the opera houses that have been built around the world over the centuries. To me, they represent the coming together of many creative disciplines for the greater goal of thrilling the soul by engaging all of the senses. So when I came across David Leventi‘s series of photographs -meticulously depicting the interiors of world-famous opera houses – I gasped, I lingered. And when I learned the story and inspiration behind the series, I just knew I had to share them with you.

Leventi’s series “Bjoerling’s Larynx” is photographed entirely with either 4″ x 5” or 8″ x 10” Arca-Swiss cameras to maximize detail.  Architecturally meticulous, this body of work serves to historically document these national and cultural landmarks.

This latest series from Leventi was inspired in large part by the story of his grandfather, Anton Gutman who was a cantor trained right after World War II. He was trained by Helge Rosvaenge, a famous Danish operatic tenor who sang regularly with the State Operas in Berlin and Vienna, but Gutman was never afforded the opportunity to perform in these venues himself as he was interned as a prisoner-of-war. While living in a concentration camp in the Soviet Union, he performed for the prisoners and officers. “Nearly a half-century later, I grew up listening to him sing while he walked around our living room. As the son of two architects, I now experience an almost religious feeling walking into a grand space such as an opera house,”says Leventi.

I can’t help imagining Leventi’s grandfather, Anton Gutman, standing on these majestic stages and making his debut to audiences who would no doubt be as enrapt by his voice as by his courage and the story that brought him there. Leventi has certainly created a fittingly spectacular tribute to the life and legacy of his grandfather, and I can’t escape the narrative woven into the images now that I know their family story.

Leventi’s next solo exhibition will take place at Bau-Xi Photo Gallery, October 5-17th, in Toronto. I hope his story and his stunning images have inspired you and that you’ll find time to make it out to see this series of stunning images in person.

xo
s.

By |September 16th, 2013|1 Comment

The Curated Collection | Barbara Cole | Duplicity

You may remember my recent post about Barbara Cole. The beauty of her images has tapped into a part of me that cannot help but respond with passionate admiration. No doubt I am not alone in my visceral response, as Cole’s work is extensively collected and exhibited around the world.

I’m thrilled to share that Cole has recently created a stunning new body of work entitled Duplicity, and the official opening is this week at Toronto’s Bau-Xi Gallery.

Arresting and Breathtaking. Those are the first two words that come to mind as I drink in the beauty of this new series. Knowing that Cole is a photographer who does not use photoshop to alter her images, my next response is one of awe and admiration, and my curiosity leads to wonder as I contemplate how she creates such ethereal, other-worldly images with her camera.
“In Duplicity, Cole continues to explore the medium of water as a natural lens which refocuses and reinterprets a painterly aesthetic. Inspired by its inherent reflective quality, Cole uses the underwater environment to challenge our perception of the figure in space.  The images in Duplicity capture the dramatic tension between the figure and form, and test the nature of photography and its impact on our experience of reality.”

Duplicity will be showing at Toronto’s Bau-Xi Photo from September 12th to the 28th, and I highly recommend making a point of getting downtown to see these works in person if you can.

Wishing you an inspired Monday!

xo
s.

By |September 9th, 2013|0 Comments

The Curated Collection | Filippo Minelli

It was the simple, even austere, juxtaposition of the ethereal yet vibrant coloured smoke against the beauty of natural landscapes that first caught my breath and my attention. Stumbling upon the Silence/Shapes collection by Italian photographer Filippo Minelli felt like stumbling upon a treasure trove of modern photographic art.

Layered beneath the smoky veils of colour lies this fascinating artist’s statement:

Decontextualization of a violent tool changing quickly the surroundings, creating chaos, blinding the eyes, used in natural landscapes. The result proves that beauty can be found in clashing visions with an approach and aesthetic similar to romanticism. Showing the power of nature with the implication of religious aspects. Juxtaposing violence and beauty as a political statement.

I confess that the underlying statement about violence was lost on me until I read Minelli’s artist’s statement. For me, the striking contrast was enough to capture my admiration and attention with such arresting and unexpected beauty.

To my eye, these out-of-context, highly saturated puffs of transient colour create the kind of art I could see integrating into almost any interior space, offering a fiercely modern yet timeless edge.

What do you think of Minelli’s series? Can you envision one of his photographs in your space? What kind of energy do you think his work would bring to a room?

Happy Monday!

xo
s.

By |August 26th, 2013|0 Comments