Finding God through the camera lens
Young Chang
Richard Ross was looking at a row of glass lanterns in a Chilean
church some years ago when the padre approached and asked what he was
doing.
He told the father that he was trying to put God into his camera the
way the padre put God into his place of worship. The padre suggested Ross
light the lanterns.
For Ross, whose photographic God would have to be light, the
suggestion allowed his camera to do what it’s always supposed to: capture
something spiritual.
“We were going on and on in some primitive Spanish,” the photographer
said, laughing.
This incident was unique for Ross in that by lighting the lanterns, he
manipulated his setting -- something he never, ever does.
“It would be arrogance to think I could move something and make it
better,” Ross, 54, said. “And part of that is my power over you to say I
didn’t touch a thing.”
His collection “Gathering Light,” on exhibit at the Orange County
Museum of Art’s main and satellite galleries since last week, shows
naturally lighted settings in countries from nearly all corners of the
world.
A pile of rubble shines with what looks almost like a divine spray of
sun. A white sculpture swims in a brighter white light, creating a
picture of white on white that makes one wonder whether other colors are
even necessary?
But a photo titled “Ferry Stop,” taken in Jesolo, Italy, argues that
an artist just can’t do without blues. A pier against a blue ocean glows
an odd lime green as a street light taints everything a mix of cold hues.
And from Pompeii, Italy is a piece titled “Excavating Room.” A wild
yet precise streak of white light slices across a wall.
Known most for his photographs of museums around the world, Ross’
collection at the Newport Beach museum includes pictures of temples,
forts, theaters, casinos, movie sets and even ruins.
At South Coast Plaza’s satellite gallery, Ross exhibits two entirely
different projects -- one created with his daughter Leela and another
that focuses on the concept of vision and memory.
Called “Leelacyd,” the work done by Ross and his daughter is a visual
diary of Leela’s daily outfits. For four years, Ross photographed the
teenager before she went off to school every day
“It’s a journal of fashion and a journal of growing up,” Ross said.
“And having it next to the Benetton store was really perfect. I don’t
know if people would see that as subverting what fashion is, or embracing
that.”
“Fovea” is a larger installation made up of photos from his family
album and other projects. The work could be called Ross’ journal -- a
chronicle of his career detailing everything from family moments to yet
more museums. The term “fovea” refers to the center of the retina that
perceives color, said museum curator Sarah Vure.
He used a Diana camera -- an inexpensive, toy camera -- to shoot the
images, Vure continued. Some of the photos are blurry, some are in focus,
and the piece’s 130 images can be installed in different configurations.
“It’s very evocative,” Vure said. “Each person who views it will be
drawn to a different image and subject.”
FYI
* What: “Gathering Light”
* When: Through March 31. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday
through Sunday
* Where: Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport
Beach
* Cost: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, free for members
and children younger than 16
* Call: (949) 759-1122.
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