Term 2 Week 1 Digital Tech Papakura Gallery Field Trip

Papakura Art Gallery

Papakura Art Gallery is located in a refurbished fire station on Averill Street in Papakura's CBD.

Overview: Papakura Art Gallery hosts a diverse programme of quality contemporary art exhibitions featuring a range of art forms by local, national and international artists - both emerging and established. The focus of planning is to support the enrichment of local culture and community development through projects and events connected to exhibitions that expose the gallery's communities to creative practice through direct engagement. Programmes also offer opportunities to emerging curators and aim to foster sustainable partnerships with arts organisations such as Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust and tertiary establishments. Reference: http://www.aucklandartgallery.com

lay of the land Definition: Reference http://www.urbandictionary.com

An assessment or analysis made with regard to a particular situation, to gain further knowledge and insight into it.  "We need to get the lay of the land before we suggest what improvements should be done in that neighbourhood."

Lay of the Land

(Image by Conor Findlay)

The Lay of The Land features the work of contemporary New Zealand artists whose practices are centred on recording with a camera the urban expansion and transformation in Auckland. 

Curated by Anita Totha, the exhibition is a snapshot of the city offering insight in its burgeoning and irreversible sprawl.

Photography & Moving Image Exhibition featuring:

Sean Atavenitia | David Cowlard | Peter Evans | Conor Findlay | John Haydn | Derek Henderson

Dieneke Jansen | Anton Maurer | Allan McDonald | Solomon Mortimer | Talia Smith

Solomon Mortimer Photographer:

The Dominion Road Project, was a body of 56 images taken between February and June 2013. Aimed at recording the present stare of this long standing stretch of asphalt and the characters that shape it. Supported and Funded by the Sir George Grey Special Collection at Auckland City Libraries.

The images exhibited here are from both that collection and Mortimers's earlier photographic explorations of the Dominion Road community.

1. Dominion Road Ranger, 2012

2. Kids with Guns, 2012

3. Andrew Kenneth Mead, 2013

4. Morning Mosque, 2012

5. The King of Wax, 2013

Larry Wood, the king of wax, 2013

from Dominion Road

– the ideas the photographer is working with:

Photo 5# The King of Wax, 2013

Solomon Mortimer  idea to enhances the depth of the black and white subject with the natural light. There is a distinct contrast with the dark and light shades. I enjoyed the photo of Larry Wood the smiling eyes and his pose is natural. The King of Wax is very well known to the area. He is relaxed and enjoys the camera. The Z on the hat complements the white shirt and sun glasses.

– the presentation of the work:

The presentation used by Solomon Mortimer is interesting, on how he has framed the picture using the film information. The information at the top and sides of the film used Kodak ISO 400. The Prints size is 464x508mm (unframed) with equal distance between each photo presented. The portraits are taken in the Dominion Road Community. 

– technical aspects of the work:

Photo is taken in natural light. Fibre-based silver gelatine print, enhances the texture of the Black and white theme used. The photo is taking either in front or around the subjects home in keeping with the lay of the land.  The background is blurred foreground is in focus. Wide F-stop  F1.8, F2.8 or as wide as the lens will go. Solomon focused on the eyes with a narrow depth of field keeping the background blurred.

To enhance the aged effect I think the prints could be soaked in tea. (sample below)