“Chelsea” by Don Parsisson. (Photo courtesy Summit Artspace)
Residents encouraged to submit selfies to [email protected]
While formal portraits have held their own in high school yearbooks and on office desks, bookcases, piano tops, and just about everywhere, how much do they really tell us about the subjects inside the portrait?
A new exhibition, “Self & Others: The Photographic Portrait,” will provide an opportunity to look beyond the static representation that is often seen in portraits. A number of local photographers including Brad Hart, Cheryl Townsend, Ed Suba and Don Parsisson, will showcase their interpretation of a portrait in the exhibition. The exhibit opens March 20 at Summit Artspace Gallery and will be on view through May 2.
This dynamic exhibition stretches the definition of a “portrait” by showcasing photographs that sometimes eliminate the human subject from the image. Rather than simply creating a likeness, the photographer is seeking a way to say something about the human condition in a much deeper way than the portraits taken throughout grade school. Whether the subject is the self or the other, the photographs require more work on the part of the viewer, but the rewards can be much greater.
“Falling” by Peter Larson. (Photo Courtesy Summit Artspace)
In the pop culture world, portraits have been redefined with the revolution of selfies, which have become the ultimate egalitarian portrait. Through social media, people were asked to submit selfies to become part of the show. This will continue throughout the show as additional selfies will be printed and added to the exhibition. To submit a selfie, e-mail [email protected].
The Summit Artspace Gallery is located at 140 E. Market Street and is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The opening reception will take place March 20, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Two exhibit-related workshops will take place at Summit Artspace:
Portraits for Everyone – Saturday, April 11, 1 p.m.
Jennifer Davis of SmART Studio will start by snapping portraits of the attendees and then each participant will express their inner creativity using collage materials. This workshop is child-friendly, free and open to the public.
One Light Portrait Photography – Saturday, May 2, 1 p.m.
Bring your camera and learn how to shoot dramatic portraits using only one light. Jesse McDaniel will provide the additional equipment necessary for this workshop.
To register for the workshops, visit www.akronareaarts.org.
