The camera has the power to take us anywhere in the world. When we travel, we take our camera with us to document what we saw or who we met. With that being said, the most recent Colorado Mesa University (CMU) art gallery exhibit at 437CO revolves around photography and travel.
The photography program at CMU started in 2014 with Professor Forrest Zerbe, and since then there have been around three to four photography shows at the gallery.
For many of the students this was the first time they had art hung in a gallery. Many of the students expressed excitement about the public getting up close to view their photography, as well as the potential for people to purchase their art. For some students, this was something that they had been dreaming about for a long time.
“This is my first gallery, so it feels kind of amazing to have family and friends just be in awe of my wonderful photos,” CMU student, Thaxter Haywood, said.
Emily Eckland for The Criterion
Other artists at the gallery have had their artwork hung up for a second time, so it was just exciting to have the public see more of their photos.
“This is my second time being an art gallery. This one was for my photos from Peru. So, it was cool. It’s nice to be out having the public see it and share it with everyone,” Jaime Rodriguez said.
Many of the photos featured in the gallery are from a milestone class trip to Peru. Some photos feature landscapes, portraits and animals from their trip there. One of Rodriguez’s pictures includes a couple of young Peruvian girls with their baby alpaca. However, traditional photography was not the only featured pieces in the gallery.
Emily Eckland for The Criterion
The gallery also featured several conceptual pieces where artists experimented with the printing process. The gallery also featured an experimental video piece about the trip to Peru.
“All artists will tell you kind of the same thing. Once you hang a piece on the wall in a gallery or in any other setting it no longer really belongs to you. You made it but the story is really up to the interpretation of the viewer,” CMU photography professor, Forrest Zerbe, said. “So anytime someone comes in and studies a piece, they’re going to have a different look on it then even the artist who made it. So, I challenge viewers to come in and pay attention to the work and see what kind of feelings or story it builds in themselves.”
Photography has the ability to take us to places we’ve never been to before. CMU’s most recent art gallery takes us to new places and captures the beauty found there. When the public views art, it allows for a story to open in their mind. Professor Zerbe wishes for the public to be open to the message they receive from the gallery. The exhibit will be open from Mar. 6-27.
