Jeremy Kirsch: Recent Toy Camera Works @ Coffeeboy
August 1, 2008 – 11:38 amSaturday, August 2 at 7pm
Coffeeboy, in conjuction with GOGALLERY will be hosting a collection of recent toy camera works by Jeremy Kirsch. Known for his elaborately staged tableaux, Jeremy Kirsch’s toy camera photographs are simple pictures of landscapes and objects he spotted while riding his bike around town. These stark and sometimes ghostly images of the Fillmore and Ventura areas were taken with a toy camera.
Coffeeboy is 358 Central Avenue in Fillmore. There will be a reception for the artist and live music from both Pam & Terri and Hope & Justin. The performances begin at 7PM. For more info visit their website at http://coffeboy.net or call 805.524.0572.
http://freekmagnet.deviantart.com
3 Responses to “Jeremy Kirsch: Recent Toy Camera Works @ Coffeeboy”
Hey, I was there at the opening. I had to see this show and drove into the gently darkening Fillmore on my way home from a meeting and before going home to Leslie. It was worth the push to make the scene. I was an hour early and the place was jumping. There was the rustling of sandwiches and the look of coffee about the place. Bold bolts held down the end of the rope that the art was hung from.
Oh, yeah. The art. I really have to admire it on different levels. One is technical. The Diana is a very difficult camera to get right. There were more than a few of the scenes that I thought could not have been done better with any other camera. The match of camera choice and visual statement of what was in front of Diana can be dug from my memory even these weeks after the event.
I’m torn. I’m so used to digital for my film that I can’t face shooting blind and then driving to Ventura go get 120 developed. Although I do like going into Image Source. I have many and even received a NEW Diana with book for Xmas. I did shoot one role but failed, miserably I thought. I might have to figure out a way to return.
This gets back to your thoughts on the Ventura Art Scene. I’m looking for mystical illumination myself. I’m looking for art by people who seem to be wandering in the wilderness of everyday life and clawing at the curtain between this reality and the other and bringing back visual evidence that they have been there. I’ll buy that.
By John Nichols on Aug 27, 2008
Hi John, Thanks for the comments and kind words! In response, I would say that for me, the Holga/Diana is a relief from the cold precision of today’s digital and film camera. Don’t get me wrong, I shoot digital, too, and I love shooting and printing digitally. However, it’s nice for me to just point and take a shot and not even worry about whether or not my subject is in focus because chances are, it’s not. The beauty of the toy camera is that in it’s biggest failures come it’s biggest successes.
I can understand being torn because I’ve always been approached my work by focusing one project at a time and considering anything else an unnecessary distraction. But as I’ve continued to work on more and more projects, I have learned that distractions can be a good thing. I don’t think that there is any reason to feel a need to chose between film and digital. Both can be fun. Yeah driving out to Ventura is a drag and gas is expensive, but heck, I have to drive out there at least once a week anyhow.
As far as the art scene comment, I have been finding lately that inspiration comes from smaller and less lofty places than enormous art galleries. The best work I’ve seen have been more personal works that were never meant to see the walls of an art space. I have come to prefer smaller art gatherings were folks get together, show their work to each other, drink a glass of wine and have a few laughs. I like the big shows too, but usually they are best when a big group of artists set it up themselves, or someone is showing large pieces that are just too huge to put anywhere else.
By Jeremy on Aug 28, 2008
what up jeremy? the photo for your show looks sick, im sure the rest of the works were quality as well. just wanted to drop you a line and give you my new email address, late. josh
By josh bricker on Nov 11, 2008