Post Unseen & beyond...

Our beauteous stand at Unseen with 

Robert D. Phillips, Anne Leigniel & Deborah Baker on display here.

Well back in Blighty & a wonderful new show to boot. 

Deborah Baker's show opened to much fanfare last week, if you haven't had time to visit please drop in to see it. Her talk next week (Tues 22 Oct 18.30 - 20.00) is not to be missed, and another Salon session too (only one for this show I'm afraid folks) see all the details here.  

The audience begins young these days

Her talk will include an exclusive glimpse into the development of both her photographs in conjunction with the creation of her stunning woodland garden. Places are filling fast so book your place to avoid disappointment on the night. Doors close at 18.20 so don't be late!

So Unseen Photo Fair, what a great week. After lectures the week before at Foam Museum on collecting photography I was happy to bump into most if not all of the attendee's at the fair. This was a wonderful way to feel right at home. My assistants Emily & Katherine were invaluable & kept me going. Katherine will be blogging about the most amazing experience I had at the fair, namely having 2 tintype portraits done by the wonderful people at the Tintype Studio - so I won't say too much here, keep an eye here for her post!

For the time being here is a great video of one of mine developing! It was so exciting & really interesting as it is a mirror image, making me think about doing a self portrait as I haven't for many years - over a decade in fact. The image was easier for me to look at because of this, but odd for other people...

Here I come...ready or not

Then there was also the JR fun after a wonderful meal with fellow gallery directors & collectors. I had seen a similar setup in Arles but had no time to partake, so I seized upon the opportunity. Several friends did as well. 

As you can see I was quite pleased about it

Sadly Katherine's pic was scuffed by the time I had chance to see it, but her 'blue steel' look is superb!

Then I spotted us on the cover of a Dutch newspaper! 

Here is the floor plastered with our mugs. 

Now another wonderful exhibit that is not to be missed in Amsterdam is at the Stadsarchief Amsterdam which is on till 5 Jan 2014. The building is amongst my favourite in the city, with it's wonderful art deco facade. I shall be reviewing the book that accompanies it also. It was a wonderful surprise to come across it & one of the best shows I have seen in a long time. You can also choose the cover of your catalogue here! 

A.Jager 

c. 1866

An exhibit on the ground floor of stereo images, fascinating. I have a stereo camera myself & really enjoy seeing the results, stepping back into a place via the 3D image. These pictures although taken long ago showed how little has changed in this wondrous city.

 Going through 40,000 glass negatives - to find this selection - the curator has shown dedication beyond all imaginings with a remarkable show of works by Jacob Merkelbach's studio.

One of the studio's specialities was portraits for actors to display their talents. Here we can see one actor with a whole plethora of 'looks' with cleverly styled hair & makeup which allowed her to transform from one character to another. 

Examples of the films that the actors were in placed underneath the photos really is a great way to see a moving image as well as a still one.  

Again, here is the transformation from a black & white photo to a theatre poster. 

Some of the photo's were just plain stylish...

Curator & Assistant Conservator

Then the building itself with the vault below is fantastic. 

Some of them have also been used as small gallery spaces.

Needless to say I had a marvellous time with many museum visits in between. 

Even the parks have photo's in them.

More soon...

Lottie Speaks! So far so good...more stars come out to play...

©Laura Noble

Well, it was another wonderful event at L A Noble Gallery Thursday night with Lottie Davies giving a lively talk to an enthralled audience. Rather than a sit down affair we opted for a walk around the space so that each photograph could be looked at & discussed in detail. 

©Laura Noble

It was in fact so popular we are going to do it again! Thursday May 2nd same time 6.30pm - £5 - so if you missed it please do email hello@lauraannnoble.com to book a place as we will run out of them fast!

 ©Laura Noble

Here is a panoramic picture of part of the very large gallery space - taken with my phone - so you get the gist.

I know the work very well, yet - as is always the case with great works of art - they don't reveal themselves all at once. Looking at the work & living with it is great. 

I always miss the work being on the wall when a show is over as it becomes part of my subconcious (as well as my actual daily surroundings) leaving a gap when its not there any more. Call me sentimental, but the bond that grows between a work of art & its owner/gallerist is a very profound thing. This phenomenon is common as many people talk about the work they own as if it were a person, referring to it by slotting its title or pet name/nickname given to it (often due to long titles & quicker to reference). 

©Laura Noble

Hearing an artist speak about their work is often not what one expects. Sometimes the person is not what we pictured or their personality is dramatically different from their work. 

Of course with Lottie I know her & the work, but that does not mean I know everything. Just as I described in an earlier post 'Upon Closer Inspection...' there is a lot more to it than that. Each time Lottie talks about a specific piece I learn more, what joy! This is how it should be. 

 ©Laura Noble

I couldn't decide which pic was best so I thought with/without Lottie, you choose your favourite.

©Laura Noble

For example the behind the scenes bloopers are fascinating & in some cases hilarious. The 'yellow snow' story brings a deeper understanding of the trials of working with babies & fake snow & make you appreciate the achievement seamless image on display just a little bit more. 

Because these works are made from the text people sent to Lottie, they then become something entirely different as she cannot replicate the image in their mind but attempts (& succeeds according to the authors of the texts) to capture the 'feeling' that the person had when they were having the nightmare or at the time of the memory. , but gather other stories of their own along the way that we never even see. Above is the culprit himself. No longer an infant but a very cute little boy called Arlo. 

©Laura Noble

This was in the comments book a few days ago. Now we have many more wonderful messages...thank you everyone. 

Here are a few of them...

©Laura Noble

So the space is large & fits all 12 photographs inside, the whole series for the very first time - importantly on home soil. We should support British photography more in the UK, cherish our talent much more than we do. Lottie Davies is just one of many. Come visit & see why.

©Laura Noble

The discovery of the panoramic feature on my iPhone is somewhat of a revelation (I have only had one a little while) & a very useful feature I must say.

©Laura Noble

Here are another curious pair of observers playing 'spot the Bible'. This has become a regular thing with the word out that it is not easy to find. No-one has yet to do it successfully - you could be the first. Forget where's Wally, where has all the religion gone? 

©Laura Noble

Here is another photo-star, this time Ella now. Then the sleeping girl in 'The Red Devil'. 

So there it is for another post. Do come & see the show & spread the word about it to others. The entrance to the building is around the right hand side if you are facing it. I look forward to seeing you. Portfolio reviews are still being conducted in the gallery as usual, to book one or a place at the talk please email. Till another post....