Transformer Station - Todd Hido Photos that Keep You Thinking

Card Printed by Transformer Station - Autographed by Photographer

This year in particular, I have been hitting the art venues pretty hard as a volunteer. The newest contemporary art gallery is the Transformer Station in Ohio City on West 29th to be exact. I happen to be there on February 1, for the grand opening where hundreds witnessed the collection of Fred and Laura Bidwell - “Light of Day.” The collection displayed different photographs from up and coming photographers. One of my favorites in the collection was three black and white photographs of various trains from New York, Tokyo and Paris. They were hung up high, away from the others. Perhaps that is why I loved them so much. Either way, it’s cool that there is an art venue on the near west-side in collaboration with the Cleveland Museum of Art.

At first, I was confused where this Transformer Station was since I have ridden my bike through the Ohio City streets many times. I went to our first volunteer orientation session and I realized I have probably passed this location countless times as I went to my photographer for work. I am sure I’ve seen this small, obscure transformer station but never paid attention to it. I am sure I am not alone thinking this way. So I commend the Bidwells’ for “transforming” this building into an art venue so we can all view their collection.

The “Light of Day” collection ran from February until early May to record crowds, I’m sure. As I volunteered, I spoke with people who traveled as far away as Kent, Ohio to experience this exhibition. You never know who you might meet - Jim Rokakis, who nonchalantly toured the facility along with many others who I didn’t meet or talked to. What was unusual, the exhibition eliminated the artist’s name and brief synopsis about the work? If this is unsettling, you can request a kindle or view www.tsguide.org via smartphone - a brief explanation about the artist and/or the pieces. You can still view past and current exhibits as well.

The newest exhibit, “Excerpts from Silver Meadows” by known photographer, Todd Hido that takes pictures of his Kent, Ohio hometown. His exhibit takes his viewers back to the past of the 1960 - 1970s with women in bouffant hairdos and liquid eyeliner that stare at you in an unsettling way. One of my favorite photos is a black and white smashed up car where the viewer wonders, “What the heck is going on here?”

Hido’s photos, therefore, are grouped together in a way that tells a story of a dark past that many didn’t talk about freely back then. Women look off to the side, disheveled with heels and torn up hosiery. Again, what is going on? That is the beauty of this exhibit, it promotes discussion what is going on. Every photograph has a story, it is up to you to think how it relates to you or not.

Something the photographer said that keeps playing back and forth in my mind. This isn’t verbatim - a photograph in everyone’s mind is truth; documenting a birthday, wedding or real life scenery. Hido, therefore, plays with images that perhaps are not what they seem. Fictional characters that tell a story by how they are choreographed and cropped in his camera’s viewfinder. In fact, he groups a photo of a young woman (a photo within a photo) hung on wall with his father’s weightlifting measurements (wrists, biceps, waist, and thighs) next to a shot of a tree. One thing is clear, the photographs have an isolating quality that keeps you thinking.

The other thing I like about the photographs is they look authentic using an old-fashioned camera. I do feel like I’m transported back to the 1970s when I see a giant photograph of a rotary phone against shiny, metallic wallpaper. Old ranch houses that I remember seeing when I used to visit a friend who just moved to Mentor, Ohio. The scenery of trees are blurred that gives them a dreamlike quality. The photographs, therefore, take up most of the gallery space; there is a lot to see and reflect on.

The newest exhibit will be on view until August 23, 2013. After the Hido exhibit, the Cleveland Museum of Art will be using the space; this collaboration will continue.

The Transformer Station
A new space for contemporary art in Cleveland


1460 West 29th St
www.transformerstation.org

Steve Litt's Review in The Cleveland Plain Dealer
http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2013/05/smashed_cars_sexually_ravenous.html

Having a Green Thumb

Sunny and seventy degrees, this has been a great start to spring. Yes, I know that it hailed last week, the temperature dipped into the forty’s and the furnace kicked on but my garden is thriving. I have seen so many birds in flight and nibbling in my yard. Everyone is happy even the neighbor kids screaming at the top of their lungs as they whiz by on their bikes.

Not only has the temperature risen but the festivals are in full swing. This weekend alone there is the Hessler Street Fair and The Asian Festival going on. Next weekend, I have to mention the Greek Festival in Tremont that never disappoints - Gyro and Souvlaki stand outdoors with the pastries and baked food indoors (Mousakka, being my favorite).

Plus, Memorial Day Weekend barbecues will be going strong with ribs, chicken, and hamburgers. It smells fantastic but I am not particularly fond of all that meat. In that respect, I don’t have those American traditional tendencies. Just give me my fresh tomatoes, string beans and peppers and I’m good.

With all the festivals and outdoor activities, what I mostly do in the spring is plant my vegetable garden. To many, it poses as too much work when so many people have lawn services to cut the grass. I love getting my hands dirty by mowing my own lawn to trimming my bushes the old-fashion way without electricity. Therefore, I build up my muscles and work my garden at the same time. Not to toot my own horn, but I have the best looking yard in my neighborhood.

I recently told my neighbor that when I moved in, the yard looked barren and overgrown. I had four bushes in the front yard that covered my floor to ceiling windows along with a tree that reached my second floor. I grabbed my sister and we trimmed these giant bushes (some electric tools were needed) that took the entire day. In fact, my tree lawn was covered with endless piles of branches.

Next, I used my chain saw skills and took down that ugly tree that was never maintained. As an environmentalist, I hated to destroy that tree but it was overtaking my front yard. Back then I didn’t think about the ramifications of destroying our natural resources. Now, I try to maintain my trees in pruning and putting the leaves back into the soil instead of throwing them into the landfill. None of my neighbors think about that.

Every year, I add more perennials to my landscape. Last year, I separated my day lilies and added more bushes to my backyard. This year I just planted a black berry bush and  planted tomato and hot peppers - I hope this summer won’t be as dry as the last. I also plan to create a rain garden so I can save money on my sewer bill with more plants. My backyard has clover and weeds so any additional plants will enhance its appearance.

Along with the day lilies, my fragrant lilac bush just began flowering. I told my neighbor that it was a tiny, plant when I bought it. Now years later, it’s huge. I told her the trick is pruning in the fall and early spring so it won’t over take your yard. The concept for maintaining a thriving yard is keeping up with the maintenance. Daily or weekly, I go out to see if there are any weeds or if the plants need watering. It’s keeping tabs on what’s going on – if not, you will have a yard that is overgrown and you don’t know where to begin to redesign it. Everyone looks for the easy route – get that weed-wacker and I’m done. Far from it, you need to dig in your garden with a shovel to rid yourself of the weed roots, add dirt and mulch every season. For whatever reason, I don’t have many weeds. But then again, I enjoy being out in the yard.

Start off slow – buy a few plants and bushes and see which plants thrive and how the sun affects them. I try to explain nicely to my neighbor to dig out the overgrown weeds – I continually hear the weed-wacker as I drive off. No one said gardening was easy. It is all in the prep and love of being in the outdoors.

As I post this post during Memorial Day weekend, we are experiencing frost.

Memorial Day Weekend Greek Festival
http://www.tremontgreekfest.com

Biking Downtown - ‘Bout Time

graphic from www.bikecleveland.org

It’s May 17, and I finally pulled out my old mountain bike to check the tires and lube the chain. Today is bike to work day; I plan to ride downtown and looking at the progress of the East Bank of the Flats. There are so many changes going on in the city that I’m looking forward to seeing it at 15 miles-per-hour. Sixty-eight degrees and sunny is the perfect time to start pedaling.

I realize that we’ve already had numerous warm weather days for me to venture out on my bike but the late schedule of the Cleveland International Film Festival, Orthodox Easter and cleaning up my yard, the days and weeks have just gone by. I really can’t complain about the above normal, sunny days in Cleveland, Ohio. My yard is in full bloom with this giant fragrant lilac bush. It just puts a smile on my face.

As a freeze baby, I wore a few layers to combat the wind as I rode down along Lakeshore Boulevard, against the wind. That is ideal; however, on the way back when I’m fatigued, I will have the wind in my face practically pedaling backwards.

The ride was wonderful as I rode along the congested Euclid Avenue bike lane. On a positive note, there is a dedicated bike lane but drivers are still annoyed that they need to share the road. More times than not, a truck or car speeds right on my left pedal driving like a bat-out-of-hell determined to get to their destination. My heart is pounding as I nervously compose myself as I defensively ride in my lane, hugging the curb. Driver’s should just look around and make sure they are not getting in the way. “Please share the road!”

I am not a novice as far as cycling goes but now I’m more aware of my surroundings. I don’t do what most people do, which is listening to an iPod, oblivious to their surroundings. My hearing is in tune to the ambient sounds so if a car gets too close or doesn’t follow the “rules of the road” then I have plenty of time to get out of the way. It really shouldn’t come to that. One time I was riding my light weight rode bike and out of nowhere, a car cuts me off by making a left turn right in front of my front wheel. If I didn’t have quick reflexes, then I would have been sprawled on the road. Hence, you need to drive or cycle defensively regardless.

I commend anyone who cycles through downtown on a regular basis. There is so much traffic on all the streets that I needed to zigzag to find a street without much traffic. It’s not that I’m nervous to ride, but as I stated above I don’t trust people in cars. They seem like they’re always in a hurry and not really paying attention. Besides, I’m not enclosed by plastic and steel.

What was interesting as I rode through the Warehouse District, the movie crew were already filling up the parking lot with white trucks and vans? At first I was confused why so many trucks where parked there – then it hit me. The Captain America crew will be shutting down the Shoreway and some downtown streets. I want to go downtown and see them shoot; I missed it when The Avengers crew were in town.

Pretty cool, I must say.

The other area that I thought was cool was The Flats. Admittedly, I was annoyed that they bulldozed Old River Road except for a few buildings. I can’t help it; it reminded me of the heyday when the Flats was in full swing: Fagan’s, The Beach Club, D’Poos, River’s Edge just to name a few. The city was alive with so many Clevelanders – it was the place to be on the weekends. Now, it is beginning to take some shape.

The tall, Ernst & Young building and the Aloft boutique hotel will be fantastic when it finally opens – it has been leveled since 2006-2007. The contractors began laying bricks underneath the “blue bridge.” And yes, I made my way up that steep hill on my mountain bike, huffing and puffing as I reached the top. West Sixth and Ninth streets are also going through road construction as I made my way through the “orange barrels.”

It was crazy trying to maneuver my bike through all the construction, but I’m enthusiastic how beautiful the city will look once all these projects are done. It will give more people a reason to venture downtown away from their suburban Mecca. What will bring people downtown is giving them something different that they can’t get in the burbs – We are definitely on our way?

To learn more about downtown, Take a Hike - Tuesday, Wednesday (New), Thursday, Saturday & Sunday. www.clevelandgatewaydistrict.com

Flats East Bank
http://www.flatseast.com/

Creating Photography the Old-Fashioned Way

My Photogram

Field trip to the newest gallery on Superior Avenue, Cleveland Print Room, where I will be creating a “photogram.” I didn’t know what it was either until I did a Google search. It’s placing objects on photo sensitive paper and letting the light hit it – creating a photograph without a camera. Individuals who have never used a film camera might not exactly know what “photo sensitive paper” is. Before digital cameras, photography was done using negatives, a developer, and photo paper. A technology that I kind of miss.

I gathered a few objects from home, not exactly sure what I was doing to create this “photogram.” I put a graphic, see-through ruler, glass coaster, tall glass bottle and feathered mask into a bag. I will learn soon enough what creative piece I will make.

As I walked through the Print Room gallery, I saw old-fashioned Polaroids and other SLR film cameras displayed on a high shelf – unassuming, oblivious to some what they are. It brought me back into a world where producing photography was a trial-and-error process. Moreover, I remember shooting an entire roll of film (36 exposures) and maybe there was one or two great shots worth enlarging. Spending hour after hour in a darkroom printing black and white photos. Because of the experimentation and creative freedom you have, this was one of my favorite artistic class.

Presently, you digitally produce photos that are edited as you go. You press the shutter button, see it on a screen then either keep it or delete it. Don’t get me wrong; I love technology where digital images has saved countless hours of scanning, producing proof sheets and editing photos. All you have to do is upload them to your computer or directly post them to facebook via iPhone or any other smart phone. It’s that simple.

What I do miss is the creativity you get as you shoot and edit in the darkroom. There are times when I see vibrant photos at local galleries and wonder if it’s been “photoshopped” or not. One of my pet peeves.

In the Print Room, you enter a red, revolving cylinder that takes you into the darkroom. There are at least 8 developers on stands that directs light onto your photo paper. I was in heaven as I placed my see-through ruler, glass coaster and Mardi Gras Beads onto the shiny paper. Hence, my goal was creating an interesting composition with my items.

Turn on the developer for 30 seconds; place the paper into the first chemical bath for 2 minutes and agitate; Remove, place it in the second chemical bath for 1 minute; the third chemical bath for 3 minutes then wash the paper with clear water for at least 5 minutes. Whoa, that is so much time invested to create a photograph. It might be but it’s similar to getting your hands dirty when you pick up a paint brush or pencil and illustrate an object without an iPad. It can actually be liberating.

The darkroom was active with so many hands dropping objects onto a 8 x 10 sheet of paper. Soon, an image will emerge. It works best if you have an item that’s translucent where light can shine through. I was impressed how many people did more than one photogram; there were many cool, creative solutions. 

What I learned is that some old-fashioned technologies do return just like vinyl records or letterpress where you can see the letters indented onto the paper. Nothing like it. Get out of your confined digital world and create art the old fashioned way. No iPads please.



Check out Cleveland Print Room
The ArtCraft Building
2550 Superior Avenue
http://clevelandprintroom.com

Art, Books, Films and Conversations - The Urban Landscape

Art

As I walked into The Sculpture Center that displayed a giant cardboard and metal installation titled, “Universe” by artist, Mark Schatz. I couldn’t help thinking what cities mean to me. First, this installation used corrugated cardboard from boxes that held things - Girl Scout Cookies or Shout fabric softener; the artist created miniature cities on top and underneath. There were skyscrapers close together while low rise buildings were scattered further away. Underneath however, there were small wooden models of the same structure duplicated.

I asked the artist if the bottom represented “urban sprawl?” He didn’t exactly answer the question but told me this is his view from an airplane window. It doesn’t matter what development you fly over from an airplane window, the terrain looks the same. How astute I thought - a very interesting concept, indeed. I was taken aback; I never thought of it like that. That’s what art does, explores ideas into infinite possibilities.

Conversations

I went to a talk at the Cleveland Public Library and Dave Hill, a comedian, said something that stuck with me. Why can’t we all live close from one another? Why do people feel compelled to live so far away? I cannot agree more. He prefaced this statement by talking with his father who wasn’t at all disturbed that a deer frequented his yard daily. “Dad, don’t you think this is unnatural?” I think deer wandering around city developments is definitely unnatural. We are taking land away from animals that need natural resources to survive.

Films

I finally watched a documentary, titled “You’ve Been Trumped” where Donald Trump wanted to build the most amazing golf course in the world. The trouble with that concept is that he destroyed a natural sand dune, unlike anything in the world to achieve his goal. I was so upset by watching a beautiful country side decimated so a billionaire can invite his rich friends to play a round of golf. When will developers get it in their heads that clearing out land that should be preserved is just not cool? Do they realize they are displacing animals that need that land to survive?


A recent documentary at the Cleveland International Film Festival, titled “Musicwood” told a story where rare wood is used to make acoustic guitars. Harvesting the Sitka Spruce trees in the Tongass National Forest is using a logging practice called clearcutting - this wood will ultimately be sold to guitar manufacturers. The manufacturers had no idea how this wood was harvested and shipped until they visited the Alaskan forest. They were outraged and now they are working with Greenpeace to preserve this land. Moreover, it’s the Native American’s who own the land, and they are adamant about changing their ways. Until people see how our land is being destroyed, will they understand the importance of preserving it.

Last week’s story about the Canadian Keystone pipeline is badly needed so American’s can get our oil fix; we have to drive our SUV’s. Please! I recommend everyone read, “Run to Failure” that describes in great detail how the BP oil spill happened. I am empathic to growing jobs but we have to rid ourselves from our dependence of oil. We should spend our R & D funds to develop better sustainable ways to create jobs. This status quo will not sustain us into the future.

Cleveland has lost many residents and so many homes are in foreclosure, I agree with the Dan Hill’s statement, we should live close together. We need to share our resources locally and stop trying to destroy our cities so a limited few want to live as far away as possible. I think walking around in a heavily dense community is how it should be. Until that happens, we will need more oil and gas to sustain our cars; increase our energy levels to red alert so we can have air conditioners and furnaces going in our massive homes. Now that family’s are having less kids, do they really need a 4 or 5 bedroom home?

Book

I read a while ago, “Green Metropolis,” and the author describes that New York City is the most sustainable city because per block, there are more people sharing resources than urban towns. After I read that book, I think more about how cities can be better equipped to share resources. Until we are all on the same page on shrinking cities and the depletion of our natural resources will we be able to make an impact. Until then, I will continue to recycle, reuse and conserve. 

The Sculpture Center
http://www.sculpturecenter.org/show_details/2013_W2S_Momeni_Schatz.html#Schatz

Land-Studio - What it means to be a Clevelander!
http://www.land-studio.org/events/2013/05/tell-us-what-it-means-to-be-a-clevelander-now--may-24th

You’ve Been Trumped
http://www.youvebeentrumped.com/youvebeentrumped.com/THE_MOVIE.html

Musicwood
http://musicwoodthefilm.com/take-action/