May 12 – June 23, 2012
Opening: Saturday, May 12, 2 –5 p.m.
GALLERY ARCTURUS
80 Gerrard Street East
Toronto, ON, M5B 1G6
T: 416.977.1077
E: info@arcturus.ca www.arcturus.ca
Hours: Tues–Fri 12–5:30; Sat 11–5:30 p.m.
“inclined planes” A Photographic Installation by Simeon Posen
the surface of water
the branches of trees
inclined to meet
Inclined plane: the leaning of two planes towards each other so as to make an angle at the point where they meet; a plane inclined to the horizon. Horizon: the circle which bounds the earth’s surface visible to a spectator from a given point, the apparent junction of the earth and sky, an imaginary great circle parallel to this whose plane passes through the centre of the earth.
Can viewing photographs of nature at a gallery in the centre of Toronto inspire a sense of being outside? The installation of images by Toronto-based photographer Simeon Posen at Gallery Arcturus evokes the movement of water and the intricacy of a forest. His black and white photographs of rivers and trees are displayed with a clear intent to remind viewers what it is to be in a natural space.
Both the photographer and Gallery Arcturus artist-in-residence Deborah Harris have worked in stage design, evidenced by a flowing installation of silver-based prints depicting water rushing. The images are not on the walls — Harris has chosen to place them on low pedestals across the floor so that the viewer can experience the vantage point of standing on a riverbank. In the next room, transparencies of branches and trunks are displayed in glass prisms placed upon tall pedestals.
Simeon Posen’s exploration into natural imagery continues decades after having trained with Ansel Adams. Posen works in film and develops the negatives himself. “Film is attempting to translate the extraordinary vision that the eye has,” says Posen.
His images attract the close attention of the viewer, but are not centred on one feature or detail. “You’re photographing some collection of elements,” he says, “all the peripheral things are just as important; the edges are just as important.”
After many years of depicting architectural and natural spaces Posen still considers his work as exploring and learning. “You have to do something a long time to appreciate how difficult it is,” says Gallery Arcturus artist-in-residence Deborah Harris. “What is extraordinary about his work,” says Harris, “is that he sees. His pieces reflect a tremendous amount of time and attention and an ongoing excitement to learn more.”