ArtBeat: “Impasse & Motion” @ Saratoga Arts, 6/4/11

Creating that one magical musical moment in concert is difficult enough for the musician. Trying to capture that fleeting moment on film can be even harder.

Andrzej Pilarczyk – Nippertown.com’s own Chief Photographer – knows just how difficult that can be. But Pilarczyk is not just a photographer and a music fan. On Saturday at the Saratoga Arts Center Gallery. he’ll also be a curator, having pulled together “Impasse & Motion: Ten Photographers’ Journey Through Instants in Music,” a massive photography exhibit of 100 photographs, all focused on just one subject – music.

Opening on Saturday, the ambitious exhibition features the lens work of Sylvia Aronson, Albert Brooks, Ed Burke, Joe Deuel, Eric Jenks, Rudy Lu, Don McKever, Joe Putrock and Lawrence White, in addition to Pilarcyzk himself. We’re pleased to say that you’ve seen the work of half of the photographers right here on Nippertown.com. And of course, you’ve also likely seen their work in such local publications as Metroland, The Saratogian, The Times Union and AlbanyJazz.com, as well as on the pages of a variety of international magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The New York Post and Vogue.

In his curatorial statement, Pilarczyk writes, “My intent with this group exhibit ‘Impasse & Motion, Ten Photographers’ Journey Through Instants in Music,’ is to show the public one subject – music, through the eyes of 10 regional photographers of different ages, races, backgrounds and experiences who have centered much of their creative energy, time and passion toward photographing musicians from a wide spectrum of musical genres.

“Some of these participating photographers are fine-arts photographers who use the camera as a tool to create their art, while others shoot for newspapers, magazines and organizations that present concerts. However, all have captured the musicians’ excitements, drama and nuances from world-renowned to relatively obscure performers in a variety of contexts including intimate nightclubs, coffee houses, concert halls, festivals, arenas, or even asking for spare change on a subway platform.”

“Impasse & Motion” opens at the Saratoga Arts Center in Saratoga Springs on Saturday with a talk and Q&A with Pilarczyk at 5pm, followed by an opening reception with the artists from 6-8pm. The reception will also feature live music by singer-songwriter Nancy Walker with Larry Clyman, as well as the acoustic blues duo of Holly & Evan. Admission is free, and the exhibition will remain on display through Saturday, July 30.

FURTHER READING:
Doug Gruse’s preview at The Glens Falls Post Star
Michael Janairo’s preview at The Times Union and preview at The Times Union’s Art Talk