This extraordinary exhibition that was juried by actress and child book author Jamie Lee Curtis that opens July 1st - September 10, 2010 at TCC PHOTO | GALLERY, located at 207 N. Center St, Longview, TX and on the web at tccphotogallery.com Join us for the opening night during downtown Longview's ArtWalk, July 1st from 5-8pm.
Juror's Pre-Jurying Comments:
Childhood is fleeting – yet sometimes, in a fraction of a second, photographers can capture its essence: joy, pain, play, boredom, frustration, elation. As an author of children's books I have tried to capture what it feels like to be a child - the good and the bad - and to stimulate a dialogue between children and parents regarding the issues raised in the book...
Jamie Lee Curtis
About the Juror:
Jamie Lee Curtis is a film actress with starring roles in such acclaimed films as Freaky Friday, True Lies, Trading Places and A Fish Called Wanda. In television, Ms. Curtis co-starred opposite Richard Lewis in the sitcom Anything But Love, as well as the title role in TNT’s adaptation of Wendy Wasserstein’s play, The Heidi Chronicles, and the CBS telefilm, Nicholas’ Gift.
Ms. Curtis is also an author of best-selling children’s books with net sales of all editions exceeding 4.6 million units. In addition to her eighth book, BIG WORDS for Little People which was released in September, 2008 and debuted as #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List, she is the author of Is There Really A Human Race?, It’s Hard To Be Five, Learning How To Work My Control Panel, I’m Gonna Like Me, Letting Off A Little Self Esteem, Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery, Today I Feel Silly and Other Moods That Make My Day, Tell Me Again About The Night I Was Born, and When I Was Little, A Four-Year-Old’s Memoir of Her Youth.
Ms. Curtis is also an AIDS activist and has a deep and active connection to many children’s charities including, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles as well as being the official spokesperson for CAAF (The Children Affected by Aids Foundation) and on whose Executive Advisory Board she is a serving member and The Starlight/Starbright Foundation. Ms. Curtis is a recovering alcoholic/addict and is honored to serve on the Board of Directors of CASA (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University) and The Scott Hitt Foundation.
She is the mother of Annie, age 22 and Thomas, age 13 and has been married for 24 years to actor/director Christopher Guest.
Click here to view a catalog of accepted entries.
About TPS
The Texas Photographic Society, founded in 1985, is a nonprofit organization of amateur and professional photographers dedicated to supporting contemporary photography as a means for creative expression and cultural insight. TPS focuses on furthering the educational and artistic development of its members while involving the community at large by sponsoring exhibitions, publications, workshops and outreach programs.
TPS boasts over 1,400 active members from 49 states, and D.C, and 12 countries. While Texas based, over half the membership resides outside the state. TPS exhibits have been shown in California, Florida and throughout Europe. The Board of Directors, now 41 strong, includes: educators, authors, curators, gallery owners, fine art and commercial photographers and other interested professionals. Many notable figures in the photographic arts come to Texas to exhibit at TPS events, host workshops, or juror TPS exhibitions. TPS is funded by members dues, contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations.
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Observations of American Roadside Culture
Photographs by Danea Males
Over the past few years I have developed a body of photographic work that explores the manifestations of American culture as displayed along the roadsides of the country. Part of the motivation behind this project is simply to experience being on the road and seeing America. During my travels, being able to document elements of culture serves to record instances of time and place. The photographs also present something quite exquisite—the beauty of a particular location. While many of these settings are mundane in nature, they contain the potential for something grand. Being engaged by the sight of ordinary places, and viewing them as examples of American culture and history is what drives me to make photographs. Recognizing that potential and responding to it photographically is an educational and emotionally fulfilling experience. As part of the journey and the photographic process, I have gained some insight into what elements within the landscape are inherently American.
Making photographic observations about aspects of American culture forces me to consider the significance of the appeal of my subjects. America is my home. I am citizen of this country and therefore have a connection to its inhabitants. The way in which we mark the land out of utilitarian necessity or creativity has become increasingly familiar to me, and to document these markings through photography directly brings attention to how Americans use the land, and inhabit the country. Social commentary, documentation of a time and place, and responding to a thing of beauty are integral to the work. Developing an awareness of American culture contributes insight to familiar surroundings. However, there is no one answer to the question of what comprises American values. Some aspects of American culture are distinct to the country; others contain a universal appeal. To understand what is considered beautiful and essential within the culture gives a linkage to the work.
Inherent to making photographs is the obligation to ponder the experience, and reflect on historical memory. The various elements of Americana serve as evidence of the necessities of the way of life, cultural experience, and the different perceptions held by the American people. By definition, Americana is representative of things from or about the United States. My photographs question ideas that are often considered to be unwavering fact. However, I offer this body of work to layered interpretations. History, knowledge and experience affect perception, and in some cases, the imagery takes advantage of a visual irony that might otherwise go unnoticed. The continuing thread of observing America brings the work together to form a complete statement on the subject of Americana and my response to it.