VANCOUVER, Wash. – An exhibit that attempts to map cartographies of place with two distinct parts: "Song of the Earth Spirit" and "Pictures from Travels" is on display through Nov. 17 in the Library at Washington State University Vancouver. The works were created by John Barber, a faculty member in creative media and digital culture department.
Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. These cartographies feature places and use photographic images to evoke and embed an interactive sense of immersion in narratives that can be at once both experienced and imagined.
“Song of the Earth Spirit" began with re-photographing portraits of Native Americans using a copy stand camera. Through an elaborate, hands-on creative process, a narrative about the interconnectedness between these Native Americans and their physical environment is reinforced.
"Pictures from Travels" intends to capture narrative impressions of places throughout the United States using different aspects of nature ranging from plants to erupting volcanoes.
While similar effects and results are easily, quickly and inexpensively achieved using digital cameras and image manipulation programs, the more intense, hands-on process used for Barber’s artwork provides a warmth and tone to the comparisons made between digital and analog sound recordings. Each image is purposefully seen, conceived and achieved, making stronger and more personal the connection between that which is seen and that which is experienced.
###
CONTACTS:
Barb Holder, 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø Galleries, 360-546-9580, barbrah@vancouver.wsu.edu
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu