Geometry: Within and Without

Art Presence presents works by two of our member artists during the month of September 2017. In Geometry: Within and Without, Raku pottery from John Dodero’s Dynamic Cubism (DC) Series joins photography by Thomas Glassman for a unique and compelling two-person exhibit in our front gallery.

Dodero Studio Ceramics – New Designs Inspired by Geometry

John Dodero’s Raku ceramics — distinguished by quiet elegance, clean spare lines, and timeless appeal — represent a classic minimalist esthetic. Building on this esthetic, he recently introduced his new Dynamic Cubism “DC” Series. DC Series Raku urns feature Dodero’s new dynamic cubism style. One-of-a-kind abstract designs, enhanced by traces of Native American influence. And strongly influenced by geometry…

The Dynamic Cubism DC Series is inspired by John Dodero’s fascination with dynamic and dissipative systems, along with a deep interest in physics. He believes the huge scientific advances of the last century influenced the Cubist movement. John feels the theories of Relativity and the idea of the warping of space-time have been particularly strong influences. He encourages people to look into what, in his view, is one of the many confluences of art and science.

Of his new pottery series, Dodero says

“I refrain from characterizing my pieces so the viewer has the space to interpret them in their own way. That said, I want to plant a seed thought, even though it may be far-fetched or blatantly obvious.

Geometry is all around us. Lines, angles, arcs, and in my view even color, because the frequency or wave/vibration that prompts us to see the corresponding color can be geometrically graphed. Nature can be — not exactly but to a large degree — modeled mathematically or geometrically. One case in point is the Golden Mean (among others).“

See more of John’s work on his website, Dodero Studio Ceramics.

Geometry in the Everyday

“Arches,” Image by Tom Glassman

First of all, I take photos because it’s fun and because I enjoy it. Even if I weren’t showing my work in galleries, I would still keep taking photographs.

Whenever possible, my primary goal is to make a photograph that doesn’t look like a photograph. This might entail anything from recording unusual reflections or abstract lines and patterns to juxtaposing unusual colors or shapes to creating compositions with extreme negative space. I create unusual or fun images, positioning the camera to photograph found objects or distinct background/foreground layers in close proximity that aren’t typically seen together.

I use the camera’s point of view to isolate an object that people look at every day so they see it in a whole new way. When people look at my work, I want them to see my images as much as they see my vision.

Finally, I am what you would call a technical photographer. In other words, all my photos are carefully composed and cropped (corner to corner) in the viewfinder before I snap the picture. Everything about my images is deliberate and time-consuming. I use a tripod, bubble level, filters, mirror-lockup, cable release, self-timer, the appropriate f-stop and ex­tremely accurate exposures to create in the camera what I envision in my mind.

Consequently, what you see are color-corrected images that are otherwise unaltered in any way by image editing software. While many pho­tographers enjoy the new tools that today’s digital darkroom offers, my real passion is to spend time with the camera figuring out how to see something in a completely new and different way.

Geometry: Hidden in Plain Sight

All too often, we go through life without taking the time to stop and really look at what’s around us, above us, beside us, or even down at our feet. Shapes, patterns, colors, shadows, reflections, unusual juxtapositions, a dramatic perspective, or something as simple but compelling as an unusual point of view — all conspire to demonstrate how different people can look at the same thing and see it very differently.

With this exhibit, whether it’s exploring the natural world, home surroundings, a small town scene, or even something as ordinary as a city street, the familiar can suddenly become magical and mysterious. Who knew that something as simple as a photograph with a fresh perspective has the power to stop us, or move us, or simply make us think and feel?

“You don’t see that every day,” viewers might be inclined to say. But, of course, you do. And you’ll notice if you know where and how to look.

~ Tom Glassman

Geometry: The Art Within and Without will open Friday, September 1 and runs through Sunday, October 1. Join us for the reception on Saturday, September 2 from 1-3 pm to enjoy the art and meet the artists.