A Juried look at Photography beyond Image Capture
Beyond the Photograph, opens on May 16th as a survey of alternate processes in photography with an eye toward the future, not the past. As such, it is our first exploration of the expanding integration of Artificial Intelligence into current imaging tools. For this exhibition, paintings, drawings and conventional photographs are presented along side pure AI fictions with the viewer is left to wonder, what is real? The work was selected from a call for entries for images that looked like it might be a photograph but wasn’t. Images utilizing AI and images utilizing multiple exposure or compositing techniques were welcomed, to provide the opportunity to see and explore the current state of image manipulation. The call was open to “Photorealistic” images in any media, both to acknowledge that fully AI generated images are not photographs and also as a reminder that, like the development of AI, the development of photography itself was forecast to disrupt the art world an destroy painting as a viable art form.
Whether you choose to embrace artificial intelligence, or not, it is here, it is in your phone and is being integrated into an ever growing number of devices and software applications. There will be no putting this particular genie back in the bottle. That being the case, we hope you come, and see for yourself what is possible and leave as better educated citizens.
The exhibition includes work from:
Syl Arena, Sylvia Bandyke, Sharon Bibeault, Charles Birnbaum, Jim Bremer, Michael Callaghan, Justin Corriveau, Donna Dangott, Gabriella Della Corte, Cynthia DiDonato, Jean Duffy, Annette Dunkelman, Marcus Fields, Fran Forman, Quintin Gonzalez, Michael Guertin, Dmitriy Gushchin, Kylo-Patrick Hart, Gerard Huber, Gerard Huber, Tyler James, Diana Nicholette Jeon, Beth Johnston, Gurcharan Khanna, J.H. Lee, Roselyn Leibowitz, Steven Levine, Patricia Littlefield, Raj Manickam, Kellan Marriott, Kristina Martino, Vicky McGrath, Sasha Mirrors, Jon Moore, John Morris, Peter Nickel, Emily Papale, Bob Peabody, Alan Powell, Keith Prue, Johanna Riddle, Michael Rose, Russ Rowland, Lisa Savard, Amy Selwyn, Kevin Shah, Ben Sisto, Bob Solete, Richard P Stevens, Mark Sullivan, Noah Tavares, Melanie Walker, Allan Weitz, Kenneth Wilson, Jennifer Woodall & Kosuke Yuki
Opening Reception: May 16th 5:00 – 8:00pm
On View: Thursday, May 16th, thru Friday, June 14th, 2024
Free and Open to the Public
Opening Reception & Awards Presentation: May 16th, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI
Juror’s statement – David DeMelim
My goal with this exhibition was to focus on images that are made, not captured, providing a backdrop, or framework to present the work of early adopters of AI enabled tools. My intention was to provide an opportunity for our members and followers to see for themselves what AI imaging is, and what it makes possible… While, there are many questions and concerns to be addressed as the technology continues to develop, in creating this exhibition I wanted to provide an opportunity to explore and share these early efforts, to recognize what is now possible. I hope this exhibition serves to educate, so opinions can be formed based on knowledge, not fear.
Whatever you think about Generative AI, or Artificial Intelligence as a whole, I hope to at least remind everyone that all photographs are constructed, and never truly represented the real world. Instead they actually present a carefully orchestrated two dimensional slice of a four dimensional world. From “tricks” of composition or creative cropping, “Fakes” have been with us from the very beginning. Many early photographers manipulated their photographs, through multiple exposures, composite printing and more recently, digital editing, to realize an image. Out of the experimental nature of this work came the ability to realize or communicate a vision beyond what can be captured directly with a camera. Like the introduction of Digital Darkroom and Photoshop, Artificial Intelligence assisted imaging software is just another tool, another way to turn an idea into an image.
There is a long tradition of work, across a variety of media, that looks like a photograph, but was not captured with a camera. Here we present work that fools the eye, pushes boundaries and otherwise leaves the viewer wondering how the image was made. My goal was to provide a context for AI generated and augmented images as an emerging art form or vehicle for self expression, not as a replacement for photography, but as it’s own art form presented in this exhibition alongside previous photorealistic methods in a variety of media.
In selecting the work for this exhibition, my aim was to present as full a range of what is possible as the entries allowed. Overall the work was technically very strong, and consequently many quality images were left out, either do to space constraints or that they duplicated ideas or techniques presented in other accepted work. In the end the exhibition was weighted to present a comprehensive survey of technique or approach and I would like to thank everyone who submitted their work.
– David DeMelim
About the Juror: David DeMelim
David DeMelim is an artist, an educator, and Managing Director and creative force of the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts (RICPA). He curates 15 shows a year, bringing together regional, national, and international artists in conversation through photography. Consulting, portfolio reviews, project development, and private mentorship are his specialties, and available through RICPA.
As a printmaker and photographer, David has been involved with computer generated graphics for decades, predating the initial releases of Digital Darkroom and Photoshop. This early involvement with technology has influenced both his artistic passions and his professional path. Yet, born 50 years earlier, he would have been a painter.
A career managing technology and production in graphic design and commercial printing was focused on designing and implementing digital workflows to replace analog methods and materials. Over the course of 30 years, razor blades, hot wax and the process camera gave way to a fully digital workflow with print ready files sent direct from the computer to high speed offset printing presses with no intermediate steps or consumable materials. Many technologies and specialized processes came and went along the way often with dire predictions for a future with, or with out the current development.
David maintains an active photographic practice, with a focus on photographing art work for reproduction and related graphic design services. He exhibits his work both nationally and internationally. Currently, The Rites of Memory, an exhibition of his work exploring memory and the process of assimilation as real world experiences are recorded, and reimagined, is touring Cuba through the end of the year.
Exhibiting Artists:
Syl Arena, Sylvia Bandyke, Sharon Bibeault, Charles Birnbaum, Jim Bremer, Michael Callaghan, Justin Corriveau, Donna Dangott, Gabriella Della Corte, Cynthia DiDonato, Jean Duffy, Annette Dunkelman, Marcus Fields, Fran Forman, Quintin Gonzalez, Michael Guertin, Dmitriy Gushchin, Kylo-Patrick Hart, Gerard Huber, Gerard Huber, Tyler James, Diana Nicholette Jeon, Beth Johnston, Gurcharan Khanna, J.H. Lee, Roselyn Leibowitz, Steven Levine, Patricia Littlefield, Raj Manickam, Kellan Marriott, Kristina Martino, Vicky McGrath, Sasha Mirrors, Jon Moore, John Morris, Peter Nickel, Emily Papale, Bob Peabody, Alan Powell, Keith Prue, Johanna Riddle, Michael Rose, Russ Rowland, Lisa Savard, Amy Selwyn, Kevin Shah, Ben Sisto, Bob Solete, Richard P Stevens, Mark Sullivan, Noah Tavares, Melanie Walker, Allan Weitz, Kenneth Wilson, Jennifer Woodall & Kosuke Yuki
Exhibition Catalogs for most exhibitions are available for home delivery
Opening Reception: May 16th 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Exhibition: Thursday, May 16th, thru Friday, June14th, 2024
The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI
Located in the heart of Providence, RICPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, education, publication, and mutual support.
RICPA exists to create a diverse and supportive community for individuals interested in learning or working in the Photographic Arts. We strive to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an open and cooperative space. Members should share a passion for creating, appreciating, or learning about all forms of photo-based media. We work to provide a platform for artistic expression, that fosters dialogue and drives innovation in the photographic arts.
The Gallery at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is a member of Gallery Night Providence https://www.gallerynight.org/
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