Contemporary Landscape exhibit a portrait of the modern world

Contemporary Landscape exhibit
a portrait of the modern world

The urbanization of America, and the modernization of life as we know it, has altered our perceptions of what a landscape might be. The Contemporary Landscape, a visual art exhibit at SUNY College at Brockport's Tower Fine Arts Gallery, might alter those perceptions even further. The exhibit runs from October 3 through 30 at the Gallery, located at 180 Holley Street. An opening reception will be held on Tuesday, October 2 at 4 p.m.

According to gallery director Tim Massey, the exhibit surveys "certain impressions of our physical and psychological environments. The scope and purpose of landscape art has drastically changed since the days of the early American artists Albert Bierstadt and Frederick Church. Catch phrases such as 'the lay of the land' and 'new frontier,' as well as referential phrases such as 'the political landscape' can often create metaphorical associations to the human condition." Photographer Ben Fink, whose digital images are included in the show, feels that his photography "shares a bond inspired by the landscape painters of the Hudson River School, artists who were realists that captured an America that was for them, a spiritual Eden," yet his work is accomplished in a very modern, technological way unknown to those painters.

These literal and allegorical landscapes are portrayed in photographs, drawings, paintings and other mixed media created by Carlos Ancalmo, Yvonne Buchanan, Caroline Falby, Fink, Michael Schall, and Joseph Smolinski.

Gallery hours are: Monday through Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday: 1 to 4 p.m. For information call (585) 395-2805. Parking at the Tower Fine Arts Center - Weekdays: Until 6:30 p.m., parking permits are required. Permits cost $2 and can be obtained at the Raye H. Conrad Welcome Center. Evenings and Weekends: After 6:30 p.m. on weekdays, and throughout the weekend, parking is not regulated. Metered parking is available adjacent to Tower Finer Arts Center.