Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Playing with Pictures

If you’re interested in vintage photos and collage, and you’re in the Toronto area, you might want to catch the exhibit Playing with Pictures: The Art of Victorian Photocollage before it closes on September 5th. Not everyone will love this AGO show because it’s not large, flashy or painterly (things I admit usually appeal to me when I visit an art gallery). However, it’s fascinating what these Victorian artists did with pen and ink, and watercolor …incorporating photos that couldn’t be resized.
They didn’t have our cornucopia of tools and materials to work with, but given their work, you get the feeling most of them would have loved the digital. For example, the collage I did above incorporates a cabinet card, one of my own photographs and several pieces of vintage line art all altered and layered together in Photoshop. I didn’t pick up a pen or brush, and I played with colors, sizes and effects until I got what I wanted.
I’m not the only person who recognized some kindred spirits in this show. Just look at all the people who submitted digital art to the Playing with Pictures Flickr group below.

12 comments:

Jennifer Pearson Vanier said...

I have the book and love it. To bad I wont get to see the show.

Leslie Jane Moran said...

I saw this show originally in Chicago, and again most recently at the AGO. It's truly amazing to see the wit and whimsy that the Victorian women used in their pieces. I'm sure they would have gone digital had the technology existed. I think you are carrying on the tradition. Won't it be interesting to see your work at the AGO one hundred years from now???

A bird in the hand said...

It's on my list. I know I'm going to love it. Thank you for reminding me that Sept 5 is looming.
xo

martha brown said...

I'm planning on going on Saturday! I just renewed my AGO membership last night :)

me again said...

I was fortunate enough to enjoy this back in June as a birthday treat .... I highly recommend it!

JK Gent said...

I am so unhappy I missed it in Chicago. I LOVE this collage. So much wonderful stuff to look at and think about and I know what went into it. Love you.

Irene said...

Thank you so much for the reminder.

Suze Weinberg said...

I sent you an award !! Go see it on my blog !! Hugz

Lori Saul said...

Beautiful layering of elements and color. A wondrous design and delight to the eye!

Caterina Giglio said...

your piece is wonderful of course and I loved the slide show too. would love to see the Victorian collage show!!!

Ganga Fondan said...

Dear Susan,
Everytime I read your comments, I can always feel your gigantic heart. The amazing thing about that jade plant was that it was gently showing me that my dad was about to leave this world. In retrospect, I can feel life teaching me and guiding me all through August. Oh how I want to listen more. May your journey always be blessed. I'll be back to watch this video.

Peace my blogging friend,
Ganga

Debrina said...

Love this posting, Susan. That slide show is so inspiring!! Of course, your digital art always rocks but I have to say, the stuff in the slideshow is pretty darn good too...
Well, I'm holed up inside with tonsilitis and crap weather outside. It's supposed to be Spring here in downunder...but it very much still feels like WINTER. Perusing your blog has made me feel a bit sunnier. :-)