“Early last year, we were talking about doing a group show, and we said, ‘Maybe we should do that because it’s almost the 500th anniversary,'” says Tom Slitter, a member of the Multiple Exposure Gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria. There were no strict requirements for what the group’s photographers could submit. “We asked: What kinds of images appeal to you? How do you think your images can contribute to the American story?”
America 250, an exhibition juried by Andy Holtin, captures the spirit of modern America and its enduring patriotism, with traces of deep-rooted nostalgia.
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“The works submitted to this exhibition universally exhibited a set of distinct characteristics: keen observation of moments and details, complete mastery of the art and skill of image-making, and, perhaps above all, a fluency in the method of capturing and framing images as a form of storytelling,” Holtin said in a jury statement.
“I like the diversity of what people see as America,” Slitter says. His work includes stunning shots of the Space Shuttle passing the U.S. Capitol on its way to the Smithsonian Institution atop a NASA jet, and images of young girls full of attitude tackling a pole horse rodeo at a county fair in Montana.
“We are a country born in protest,” he continues. “So it’s kind of natural that the protests show up in a lot of the shots. I was surprised by the relative lack of shots of iconic Washington. It was subdued in many ways. It’s small town America.”
“And I think it captures both the complexity and diversity and breadth and depth of America. It’s not all of it, I mean, there’s only about 23 photos, but it’s not just monumental flag-waving. There’s a patriotism here, but it’s a little more subtle and meaningful.”
For Slighter, being affiliated with Multiple Exposures Gallery is “very supportive” of his work as a photographer. “Their dedication to the craft of photography is amazing,” he says. “It’s very uplifting. We all have different photography styles, so we can learn from everyone.”
“America 250” runs through July 26 in the Studio 7 Multiple Exposure Gallery on the first floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. in Alexandria. Gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. multiple exposure gallery.com.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
