Through The Looking Glass
by Rick Byerly
Tricia Zigmund: My Every Midnight
Pittsburgh is paying tribute to the historical role of glass and glass art in the region this year and Silver Eye Center For Photography is participating with their member show “The Looking Glass”. The show features 109 Silver Eye member photographers and their prints which interpret the theme literally or figuratively. From images of light reflecting on glass to images of people and nature the show celebrates the creativity and interest of photographers from 15 states and includes 71 photographers from Pennsylvania.
“The Looking Glass” theme rings true on many points as Silver Eye is a regional leader in paying tribute to the history of Pittsburgh and its location on the South Side reminds us of the city’s past nickname, the Glass City, where a majority of glass was made back in the 1800’s in the United States.
Longtime photographer Clyde Hare chose an image from years ago he captured of a Dale Chihuly glass sculpture which starts off the exhibit as you walk in the doors. Even with the more literal interpretations of the theme with images of glass and light there was a large variety which ranged from the focus on light and reflections to the more personal. (pictured right)
John Warren Davis: PPG Skaters
Lee Hershenson of Pittsburgh chose his print “Fragments” which reveals the details of the sun on clear and colored glass while Ruthanne F. Bauerle of Fox Chapel chose an image of her niece looking through an actual looking glass. John Fobes pays tribute to pinhole photography with the beautiful image “Glasses by the Window”, also a tribute to his late aunt.
John Warren Davis’s “PPG Skaters” reveals reflections which skaters created during the holidays at PPG Place. “Grandmothers’ Glass” by Ruth E. Hendricks reveals the beauty of color and light in handed down glass. The image prompted her to think of the importance of what’s handed down through the generations to how the glass could be broken, swept up, and never be seen again.
On the more figurative end of the spectrum the well known Pittsburgh photojournalist and fine art photographer William Wade chose a colorful abstract image of lights entitled “Hopeful Light”, which he especially created for the show. “My Every Midnight” by Tricia Zigmund of Frackville, PA, is a print which explores the theme psychologically by showing a repeating figure behind five glass doors at night from a distance with snow in the foreground. Well known artist Karen Kaigin’s powerful interpretation of an image brings together water, light and tension which celebrates “The Looking Glass” on many levels. (Ruth E Hendricks featured on right)
From digital to darkroom and color to black and white images “The Looking Glass” is a celebration of the creativity of Silver Eye members and this region.
“The Looking Glass” runs until September 15 at Silver Eye, located at 1015 East Carson Street on the South Side, and most of the prints are for sale which supports Silver Eye and the photographers. (John Fobes on left)
Rick Byerly is a fine art photographer with shows at Garfield Artworks in July and Imagebox in August, both part of Unblurred. His own work appears to the right titled “Maple Mirror.”
