Field Studies: Statements and Sketches
 

The photographs of
Benjamin Orion Rush

Opening Reception:
 Saturday, June 25, 2005
7:00 PM

On exhibit from June 25 - August 6, 2005

featuring a visit by folk singer
 Tom Rush

PREVIOUS SHOWS AT DAKOTA RIDGE GALLERY::

 May 20, 2006
 Works on Paper
Ion Zupcu

December 10, 2005
 Terra Emota
Chip Forelli

June 25, 2005
 Statements and Sketches
Benjamin Orion Rush

May 7, 2005
 Out of the Wilderness
Terry Walker

June 26, 2004
 The Fringe Hour
 Andrew Sovjani

December 13, 2003
 Images in Color
Gail Otis
Henry F. Smith

August 16, 2003
 The Torn Continent
Pierrot Men

June 7, 2003
Stephen Petegorsky
Dan Hugos

March 22 , 2003
Spring from Within
Victoria Blewer
Dan Hugos

December 14, 2002
Grand Opening: Paths of Light
Solo Exhibition: Daniel Jones


 
New England-born artist Benjamin Rush presents selections from two new ongoing bodies of work in "Field Notes: Statements & Sketches". Central to the exhibition are images created in museums, libraries, and galleries both in the US and overseas. With a large format camera he seeks out surreal compositions of not only the display of these institutions, but also of these authoritative spaces in states of undress and change. The images stem from Rush's fascination with the idea of knowledge, and the governance that possesses, frames and presents it.

The "Sketches" portion of the exhibition appear as selections from a body of 170-and-counting images that Rush has taken with a 1960's Polaroid Land Camera. Rush says: "My life these past few years has been very unsettled and hectic, this more casual approach to image-making keeps me considering my environment. I'm always fascinated by how things look as photographs. I was curious how my interests and aesthetic might become evident without any particular intent across a large group of images taken over many years."

These images describe Rush's connection to the art and history of photography on many levels. "Frankly, I sometimes wonder if I'm just addicted to the way this particular process smells and behaves, " he says. "Obviously it's almost immediate but, unlike digital, when you peel the print open - the print is wet and fragile for some time, it's a very tactile experience".

The opening of "Field Notes: Statements & Sketches" coincides with a concert performed by the artists father, folk singer and song writer Tom Rush at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, across the street from the gallery. For more information call (570) 325-0249 or (570) 325-2082.