Preview the selections for the 2013 MCAC for PHOTO from MSU!!
Here are a few of the photographs that will be in the exhibition. I feel these images are all very interesting and come from talented young artists. Several of these images come from students new to photography. I am very impressed that they, [Carlyse Williams, June Upton, Maegan Bedells and Stephanie Travis] had work accepted in to the 2013 Mississippi Collegiate Art Competition. This is a huge competition that included ten art programs across the state of Mississippi encompassing undergraduate and graduate level.
- Carlyse Williams
When asked about the inspiration behind her work Carlyse replied "When shooting this piece, I thought of one of my favorite photographers, Jerry Uelsmann, and how he was able to put nature and the out of the ordinary placement of objects seamlessly together to create what seems like a very natural image."
It is simple but thought provoking image. Like Uelsmann it is dreamlike. It has a unnatural feeling set a a very calm natural setting. As a dreamlike image there are may interpretations, for me I feel the spheres are present to provide man with new knowledge. In its simplest form I enjoy the visual balance.
- Stephanie Travis
When asked the reason for photographing a window, Stephanie said, "The image of this window was captured in an attempt to portray a glimpse of the decay that is often left behind by humanity."
Thus the window becomes a symbol of decay, the passing of time and temporary concern man has for his surroundings. Yet there is beauty and a touch of hope in this image. I feel she is also giving us hope for our future as we look out of the darkness to the light.
-Nikki McKenzie
Nikki is one of the more experienced photographers presented in this blog and she knows that the basics of light is the key to any image. "When I was capturing this photo, all I was really thinking about was the light." stated Nikki. "I loved how it beautifully illuminated part of the bride. When I was looking at it later, it came to be one of my favorite from the shoot because of the position of the bride. I love how even though you can't see her face you can still sense the anticipation, nervousness, and excitement of the moment."
It takes a talented photographer to not only see light but to capture it as a document of a personal event. Life is made-up by little moment. Nikki has captured this one simple moment as visual record for a lifetime. This is what photography is all about.
-Maegan Bedells
This landscape / horizon by Maegan is simple and breathless. I feel myself being drawn into the image. It is a timeless. The colors vibrate from the horizon and drift back to the viewer of waves of water and air. Simple elegance.
- June Upton
June stated that this image is from a recent project she has been working on that explores connections and how things function when connected. "So really I was just concentrating on how to best portray that idea. So when I looked at my cousins braces I thought that shooting them would be perfect because it portrayed such a simple connection, and when you look close with out those brackets being linked together with the wire all that metal would be useless."
I can definitely see and feel the connection. The smile lightens the mood and relaxes the viewer as they are confronted by the braces. Upton's image is a fun image.
One should never take lightly the acceptance into a competition. There is never any guarantee that the photograph one juror accepted today will be accepted tomorrow. Keep photographing and keep creating!
Congratulations for being accepted into the MCAC! So enjoy this moment!
Reminder: The exhibition reception is scheduled for Saturday, February 2nd from 2:00 - 4:00 pm, with the awards ceremony at 3:00 pm at the Mississippi Arts Center in Downtown Jackson.
