Augusta Artisans on Film by Local Analog Photographer Mark Albertin
Augusta Artisans on Film by Mark Albertin had its closing reception at Riverwatch Brewery on Saturday, May 7th. With more than 25 in attendance throughout the evening, including some of the Artisans themselves, the event proved to be a success.
In this series, Mark utilized film photography techniques on a version of the Reisekamera, which once was a popular “travel camera” in the late 1800s. All photographs featured in this exhibition were on black-and-white film, developed in his very own dark room. With this intentional use of black-and-white photography, in place of color photographs we see every day on social media, Mark drew the focus of the viewer to the delicate details of their labor in these incredibly talented local artisans work.
In this body of work, Mark Albertin wanted to cover a wide variety of local crafts-peoples. Artisans featured included local ceramicist and potter, Shishir Chokshi of Tire City Potters, Bicycle metalsmith Nate Zukas of Zukas Cycles, fine-arts printer Candace Robertson Zukas, Chocolatier Bebette Smith of Le Bonbonniere, Jeweler Marsha Rowe of Heavenly Beads, Luthiers and musicians Nathaniel and Christine Bruner of Antique Violins of Augusta, etching artist Suzy Shultz, and last but not least, our reception’s host and local craft brewer Brey Sloan of Riverwatch Brewery.
While his show was on display in the City Gallery, Mark hosted a “Story Time” event where he was able to give a tour to roughly 10 local arts enthusiasts, friends, family and one featured artisan. He lead this group through the exhibition detailing the trials and tribulations of each of the works, what dark room methods he had used to finalize each photograph, such as dodging and burning, and the funny background stories that begot each work. Each picture had its own story that was worth 1000 words. At the end of this tour, Mark gave a demonstration of his very own Reisekamera, allowing each guest to view through its lens.
This series was about highlighting the incredible and unique talents Augusta, GA is host to. Mark’s concept was to recognize local artisans for their work using a medium that, in today’s world, often isn’t often recognized; film photography. At the close of this closing reception, Mark gifted the framed photographs to each artist.
Above photographs taken by Heather Dunaway and Rhian Swain of the Greater Augusta Arts Council. For more photographs of Augusta Artisans on Film’s “Story Time” event and closing reception please click here.