Manipulated Realities Exhibit to be Displayed

Manipulated Realities, an exhibit of manipulated photography, curated by David Watkins Jr., will be on display at the Tompkins County Public Library from July 7, 2008 through September 30, 2008. A closing reception will take place, with a panel discussion exploring the motivation and artistic goals of the artists, on Thursday, September 18.

Six photographer/digital artists: Stan Bowman, Jay Hart, Jan Kather, Daniel McPheeters, Joleen Mahoney Roe, and David Watkins Jr., are participating in the exhibit. The emphasis will be on how photographic images can be manipulated for a variety of creative, personal and artistic reasons.

“While it may be a subject for debate, photographers have been ‘manipulating’ images since photography began,” Watkins said. “Early photographic artists used myriad tricks of light and chemistry in the darkroom to either create something new and different or simply improve their final image. It can be argued that the simple act of placing one's eye to a viewfinder begins to manipulate what an ultimate viewer of the image will see and respond to. In todays digital world, the ease and sophistication with which images can be changed to misrepresent "reality" causes those responsible for reporting news much concern about responsibility and ethical values.”

“This show is not about image change for misrepresentation or documentation. It is about purposeful artistic manipulation and creation ­– pushing the images' potential for art, for emphasis, for challenge and personal expression,” Watkins added.

The decision to hold a closing, rather than an opening reception, will allow library patrons and visitors to view and fully appreciate the exhibit before taking part in the panel discussion.

For further information please visit www.tcpl.org or contact Sally Grubb at sgrubb@tcpl.org, or call 607 272-4557.