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August 22, 2006

"Look at that. Look at this...

This is near enough to bliss."

There I go quoting Paul Simon again! (from "Look at That")

Liberty Lighthouse by Al LaBanca (left); Sunrise by Bill Ozanne (right)

The new art exhibit opened this morning with the works of two artists and it is one of the coolest juxtapositions in art and image I've ever seen!

We're being treated to Bill Ozanne's amazing photographs from Mount Washington. Bill interned at the Observatory there for 8 months in 2004-2005 and brings us images of the startling beauty and splendor of this stark and unforgiving landscape.

In sharp contrast, we've got "A Collection of Lighthouses" from local artist Al LaBanca. His watercolors capture the majesty, welcome, and safety of these structures which he calls "The Vanishing Castles of America."

By sheer coincidence, these two collections merge and separate brilliantly. Ozanne's display begins with a photograph of "Stage Office," a structure that withstood winds of 231 mph in 1934. Still standing decades later, chains hold the building in place. LaBanca's exhibit starts with "Liberty Lighthouse," still standing ...the welcoming beacon in New York harbor. Both anchors to their surroudings; both symbolizing refuge.

Another lovely coincidence...both artists had family members helping them hang their works this morning in the Main Reading Room. Very nice.

This exhibit will run through September 25th.

Posted by BarbaraT at August 22, 2006 04:43 PM