The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will presentAntarctica by world-renowned photographer John Paul Caponigro from Oct. 20 through Nov. 30, 2014. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Opening Reception and Book Signing on Oct. 21 from 5:30-6:45 p.m., which is being held in conjunction with Caponigro’s Distinguished Lecturer presentation at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center.
John Paul Caponigro is recognized as one of the prominent photographers of our time. His work is featured in numerous private collections including the Smithsonian and Princeton University. Known for his highly altered works, he is considered one of the leading artists in combining his background in painting with traditional and alternative photographic processes.
Building on his knowledge, Caponigro is probably best known for his work using state-of-the-art digital technology. He has authored numerous books on the topic and is a member of the Photoshop Hall of Fame. Caponigro is a Huffington Post columnist and has been featured in Art News magazine and the Ansel Adams Guide. The Reed Gallery is able to host Caponigro on campus as part of the Canon Camera Explorer of Light program, which also is sponsoring the exhibition.
The exhibition, Antarctica, is a result of Caponigro’s three expeditions to the region in 2005, 2007, and 2009. Unique to the work he built his career on, Caponigro has been able to photograph the region, creating work that is highly untouched and unaltered. This has placed him in a unique situation where he is able to act as what he refers to as an “outsider journalist.” His Antarctica work documents the reality of the changes in global climate. Caponigro writes that Antarctica is “a regulator and indicator of global climate… [the] images are intended to be repurposed in many different ways and in many different contexts to increase their effectiveness at stimulating awareness.”
Antarctica is an intimate view with a vivid and ever-changing landscape. “Artists communicate in a way that words never will, meaning we can discuss climate change by presenting it for the viewer to see,” stated Reed Gallery Director Heather Sincavage. “We have a tremendous opportunity in hosting Caponigro’s work to view, through the artist’s filter, a pressing issue our planet is faced with. But not only that: we see accomplished work of a place many of us will never visit by a leader in the field of photography.”
In addition to its Opening Reception on Oct. 21, Antarctica will be open for the First Friday Art Walk on Nov. 7 from 5-7 p.m. Please follow gallery happenings on the Reed Gallery Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ReedArtGallery. The public is encouraged to come out to First Friday and attend this free event. Light refreshments will be served.
The Reed Fine Art Gallery is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Sundays and University holidays. For more information about this event, please contact Sincavage at 768-9442 or heather.sincavage@maine.edu.
