SWEET & SOUR: ‘The Other Charleston,’ David Riffle, The Art Store & More
Lauren Henkin’s ‘Easter House, 2006′ from “The Other Charleston”
Sweet: “There has been so much going on of late, let’s just list with brief comments our other Treats and Tricks of the season. For me, some real treats were “The Other Charleston” photos by Lauren Henkin, displayed at the Good News Garage Gallery as part of the Oct. 18 ArtWalk. This show was a recent first-place category winner in the international Prix de Photographie photography competition. “The Other Charleston,” is a documentary series of black and white photographs of Charleston which Henkin took over a period of three years. To view more photographs in
the series, visit www.laurenhenkin.com.”
Sour: “I thought this was a real Treat also. Highly arresting photographs. I loved her honesty in the artist’s statement in that she used to barrel through Charleston, W.Va. in her car on her way to St. Louis from the eastern seaboard when getting her graduate degree. And that she didn’t think much of stopping here, didn’t think much of us visually. But when she did stop she had revelations about the ‘Charliewest-ness’ of our city and the unpretentious beauty that exists here in mostly modest locations. She really gets the mood right and makes personalities of the locations in her shots. Featured are modest houses on the West Side, North Side, the beloved Red Carpet Lounge, the Ott building, Kyle warehouse, among others. And very modestly priced! Somebody please do us a favor and buy this series for the Clay Center or the Cultural
Center or somewhere. It’s probably a tax write off!”
Sweet: “I like a heightened awareness of the locales she depicts. Frozen in time, with such detail and control that the ‘Is-ness’ of the scenes is raised to the superb. It’s as if each of these photographs’ subjects are screaming with personality, all the while depicted stark and silent. It is a harmonious conflict.”
David Riffle finds new life at old “Camden Park,” from a show on display at The Art Store.
Sour: “I also loved the brief group exhibitions this past weekend during the Southeastern College Art Association conference. That was a real unexpected treat. They were shown at the Cultural Center and yet again City Hall steps forth as an artistic leader. All cities should be this lucky for such an arts-friendly city administration. Great pieces from MU to State to UC to WV Wesleyan to WVU to Shepherd — and more from out of state. Great show.
My only criticism is that it wasn’t much publicized outside of the academic conference go-ers. Would have been a nice cross pollination with the recent Art Walk. And how nice it looked at the Cultural Center. How nice to see signs of life up there. The brand new staff is really starting to provide a breath of needed fresh air there. Hope they can pull out the impossible and do an excellent renovation with the much hyped, techno, history museum…. let’s hope it’s a direct contrast to the series of disasters that have preceded them. Good luck! Our fingers are crossed for you at the Cultural Center.”
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Sweet: “You mean, of course, expensive disasters previously at the Cultural Center. Another great treat for me this week was the David Riffle show at the Art Store (See related Sunday Gazette-Mail story here). He continues to surpass himself.”
Sour: “I completely agree. This guy deserves more respect and exposure around the nation than he gets. Truly world class. Surreal, tight, wildly eccentric and creative. As always, the ladies at The Art Store presented it well in a small space — kudos to them.”
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Sweet: “Speaking of the ladies at The Art Store, Ellie Schaul has a wonderful new shaped figurative piece. She’s been great for years.”
Sour: “I heard they were selling The Art Store or merging or something. Hope the new administration does as well as Sherry Lovett and Ellie and gang have done over the years.”
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Sweet: “We all owe copious thanks to them for bringing into being a lot of the arts experiences we regularly enjoy today. I saw some hilarious pictures of them from the ’60s and ’70s picketing for support for the arts in mini-skirts for Appalachian Corridors, etc. Thanks to them — they deserve “lifetime achievements” in the WV arts world at the next Governors’ Awards for the Arts.”
Sour: “Yes, I agree. Also, the folks at Gallery Eleven who still plug away with an active artist co-op and exhibition space deserve a “lifetime achievement” award. As far as I know, they are the oldest continually existing arts co-op in the state. Still at it after all these years. Thanks to them for keeping on keeping on.”
COMING UP: Charley Hamilton pulls some Tricks at Taylor Books; Great Monster Poster Art and more.
November 6th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
“The Other Charleston,” it’s hard not to take pride in the beautiful photography of West Virginia.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
The photographs “The Other Charleston” are so beautiful even though they are just of old buildings and houses. I think because of the older buildings and houses makes it unique and has a feeling for the photo.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
The photograph “The Other Charleston” gives me a odd feeling…I feel whoever decorated this house obviously has no idea of the true meaning of Easter and also needs to know that sometimes less is more….The picture is in black and white which gives you a idea of the mood that the photographer was trying to give. Old and serious…to me that is how I look at it….
February 19th, 2008 at 10:55 am
[…] Plus, several posts ago, we gave Sherry Lovett, Elie Schaul and their staff a lifetime achievement for what they have done for the arts. To quote from that post: “Hope the new administration does as well as Sherry Lovett and Ellie and gang have done over the years… We all owe copious thanks to them for bringing into being a lot of the arts experiences we regularly enjoy today. […]