‘Sammelsurium’ premieres at Light Work

‘Sammelsurium’ premieres at Light WorkNovember 02, 2007SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

On Monday, Nov., 5, Light Work will premiere its latest exhibition, “Sammelsurium,” featuring the work of German photographer Angelika Rinnhofer. A gallery reception will be held Thursday, Nov. 8, from 5-8 p.m.

This exhibition will showcase her large-format color prints from three related series, “Menschenkunde,” “Felsenfest” and “Seelensucht.” She describes her series “Menschenkunde” as portraits that combine facts, beauty and irony in a Renaissance style. Rinnhofer’s series “Felsenfest” continues the same aesthetics in its reinterpretations of martyrs and saints into a modern context. Rinnhofer remembers being frightened as a child when viewing the horrific images of tortured saints commonly found in churches in her hometown, Nurnberg, Germany. She now casts a critical eye, juxtaposing religious figures with modern looking scientists. “Seelensucht” takes Rinnhofer back to the traditional single-figure portrait, also capturing the themes of martyrs.

Rinnhofer lives in Beacon, N.Y. She is a photography instructor, commercial photographer and artist. She is the recipient of a Kodak European Gold Award and received a fellowship in photography from the Dutchess County Arts Council. She participated in Light Work’s Artist-in-Residence program in 2005. Her work can be seen at www.angelikarinnhofer.com.

In addition, Light Work will feature an exhibition titled “Train of Thought: Serial Images from the Light Work Collection.” This exhibition features the work of five artists — Hollis Frampton, Arnold Gassan, Peter Max Kandhola, Judy Natal and Aaron Siskind — all of whom donated either a series of prints or a portfolio of prints to the Light Work Collection. This exhibition provides an opportunity to investigate the artists’ use of duplication and repetition to explore a single subject or idea. The images in this exhibition are produced using a variety of techniques, including photogravures, ektacolor, silver gelatin prints and chromogenic prints.

Also on view at this time is the exhibition “Artist Showcase: Images by Brian Arnold,” featuring images by Ithaca-based photographer Brian Arnold. This exhibition is composed of recent acquisitions to the Light Work Collection that come from multiple series on which Arnold has been working. He utilizes traditional black-and-white processes, remaining committed to what he refers to as “the alchemy of photography.” All of his photographs are unique silver gelatin prints, toned with a combination of selenium, sulfur and gold chloride. Arnold also creates unique limited-edition books, two of which are included in this exhibition. He teaches photography and electronic arts at the New York State College of Art and Engineering at Alfred University.

Gallery hours for these exhibitions are Sunday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 443-1300. The exhibitions and reception are free and open to the public. Paid parking is available in the Marion parking lot and Booth Garage.

Light Work invites groups and individuals to schedule tours and gallery talks of the exhibition and facility. Light Work is a nonprofit, artist-run organization dedicated to the support of artists working in photography and electronic media. Light Work is a member of the Coalition of Museum and Art Centers at Syracuse University (CMAC).

For more information about any of these exhibitions, please contact Jessica Heckman at Light Work, 443-1300 or jhheckma@syr.edu.