Of Dreams and Reality
curated by Ann Jastrab
September 15 – October 25, 2018
Berkeley Art Center. 1275 Walnut Street Berkeley, CA (map)
Public Program: Saturday, October 13, 4-6 pm ($10 at the door, BAC members free)
Ann Jastrab will host a conversation with participating members of BAPC
Jastrab, the ten year gallery director for Rayko Photo Center and Editor in Chief for All About Photo.com will share her perspectives on the theme, the selection and sequencing process that make the show a “not to be missed” bay area photography show.
The conflation of reality and dreams is as apparent in much of what we think of as “fine art” photography as in life itself. In this exhibit of the work of the Bay Area Photographers Collective (BAPC), I explicitly juxtapose the two views. I am initially moved by the dream-like images that bring me back to the Pictorialists and some of my favorite early photographs where the line between reality and fantasy is blurred. Whether created by camera choice (pinhole, plastic, Polaroid, etc) or by the time of day and the type of light, the “dreamscapes” of artists like Adrienne Defendi and Rose Borden are soft and surreal. Double exposures, glowing light, focus questionable, images that remind me of the ideas that f64 tossed out the window. Other images, including those of Dan Fenstermacher and Ralf Hillebrand are more clearly documentary; street shots, captured by participant observers, traveling and capturing the world that unfolds before them. These photographers provide the strong sense of “reality” in the exhibition. Whether dream-like or realistic, the images in
“Of Dreams and Reality” offer keen observation with heart, a memorable journey that I hope you too will enjoy. —curator Ann Jastrab
FUNDRAISER
The opening reception features a drawing for “Paloma” by Frank Espada, renowned documentary photographer, teacher, activist, and one of BAPC’s founders. His work on the Puerto Rican Diaspora is held by the Smithsonian and other museums around the country. Along with proceeds from the drawing, a portion of BAPC’s print and exhibit catalog sales will be given to the Foundation for Puerto Rico, where Espada was born, for redevelopment of the island that is still devastated from Hurricane Maria. The donation will support the life sustaining projects of the Foundation for Puerto Rico, in keeping with Frank’s commitment to social justice, equality and education in this country and the island of his birth.
BAPC and Berkeley Art Center will be participating in the inaugural year of the Bay Area Month of Photography.
About the curator
Curator Ann Jastrab is Editor In Chief at All About Photo. She was the gallery director for Rayko Photo in San Francisco for ten years. Ann has curated many exhibitions for RayKo as well as for the San Francisco Arts Commission, the Academy of Art in San Francisco, Artspan, SFAI, the Center for Fine Art Photography, and other national and international venues outside of San Francisco. She has reviewed portfolios at festivals and competitions around the world.
Participating artists
| Angelika Schilli | Anthony Delgado |
| Ellen Konar and Steve Goldband | Rose Borden |
| Ralf Hillebrand | Linda Fitch |
| Tom Lavin | Ari Salomon |
| Ken Hoffman | Dan Fenstermacher |
| Gene Dominique | Mitch Nelles |
| Denise Tarantino | Adrienne Defendi |
| Nick Winkworth | Cindy Stokes |
