Wilkosz and Way

Nicholas Chobey, part of Glass Negatives at Pith.

DETAILS

Glass Negatives by Wilkosz & Way
Pith Gallery
Thursday, December 3 - Saturday, January 9

More in: Visual Arts

In an age of digital cameras and high-definition video, most people have little knowledge of photography's history and evolution. Two local photographers and artists, Marta Wilkosz and Jeff Way, have gone back to the early days of photographic techniques — 1871, in fact — in the debut show at the new Pith Gallery and Studios.

Using glass-plate negatives (hence the show's title) in large format cameras, each of the 14 photos were taken on a plate of glass using a special light-sensitive emulsion spread on the negative plate prior to shooting. The results are black-and-white pictures, speckled with randomly created flaws: bubbles, dotting, flaring and streaking.

What is enjoyable about these photographs is the uniqueness of the end results, and how these flaws interact with the sitting subjects. The numerous distortions and spots give each picture a sharp individuality. The pictures lend themselves to up-close observation, and it’s highly encouraged. The larger formats make the images sharp and the flaws easy to inspect.

One of several great examples of the interaction between flaw and subject is the halo effect surrounding the portrait of Melissa McLeod. This distortion of the exposure gives a distinct soft effect to the photo’s subject. Also, the black dotting on Britt Babott is curious — the way it contrasts with the heightened freckles on her face adds a delightful visual contrast to an otherwise conventional model pose.

In addition to the flaws, there is an unconsciously strong pull of the historical in this exhibition. Without direction from the artists, several subjects seem to allude to older times in their dress and bearing. The picture of Laura Way, with pearls, curled hair and a printed blouse, echoes The Jazz Age of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tyler Martin and Nicholas Chobey's pencil moustaches remind the viewer of Edwardian gentleman.

One of the most stunning portraits is that of Chelsea Gotell. In this picture, Gotell's adolescent-like face and cotton jersey is reminiscent of a young Victorian woman. However, such echoes are contrasted with the distinctly modern septum ring hung visibly from her nose. The camera captures her skin tones and the shape of her face in an cleverly arcane and ethereal way, which makes the image visually and esthetically pleasing.

For their first show, Pith has made all the right moves. Glass Negatives is a simple show, not overcomplicated by trying to impress too many people all at once. Rather, the bare white walls contrast wonderfully with the shadowy portraits and don't overwhelm the pictures themselves. Each photograph is hung evenly and attractively, making the small but accommodating space welcoming.