Oswego State Downtown to display Galins' photographic artistry

Chris and Arnold Galin aim to catch the eye of visitors to Oswego State Downtown with photography that captures "nature in motion" during an exhibition taking place from March 29 through May 3 as part of SUNY Oswego's Downtown Artist Series.

"Color and Abstraction: Photography by Chris and Arnie Galin" will open with a reception for the artists from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 29, at the branch of Tyler Art Gallery and the College Store at the corner of West First and Bridge streets in Oswego. The event and the exhibition are free and open to the public.

Starting at 6 p.m. during the reception, two SUNY Oswego students, poet Sally Familia and graphic artist Aaron Scott, will make presentations in reaction to the Galins' artistry. English and creative writing faculty member Laura Donnelly mentors Familia, while Amy Bartell of the art faculty mentors Scott. The Downtown Artists Series is an opportunity for student poets, artists and musicians to reflect upon and interpret the work on exhibit.

Arnold Galin captures what he calls "Nature in Motion" through the use of panning, zooming, tilting and other techniques to really "see" through the camera.

Chris Galin, who focused her lens on nature for three decades, started experimenting with photographing glass objects and colored bottles, and incorporating flowers and other natural items. "My goal is to create a photograph that renders the original 'object' abstract," she said in a statement on the Rome-based Galins' website, creativeimagesx2.com. "I create both abstract and representational photographs, as well as mixed media pieces that have their origins in a photograph. "

Bartell, who is coordinator of community arts programming for SUNY Oswego, said, "Implementing a process called dye sublimation, they then transfer original photographs to many different substrates, including tile, glass, aluminum wood, and porcelain."

Arnold Galin, a wedding photographer for over 30 years, said his approach to "Nature in Motion" came after his retirement.

"Through the technique of montage, and 'painting' with your camera, anything is possible," he said. "For me, it has opened up a new world that I have been overlooking all my life."

In the piece "Fire and Water," the viewer sees and feels the intensity of the reds and oranges coupled with the dark, clandestine black and blues. The juxtaposition balances the power of the cool and the warm tones. An ambiguous scalloped shell shape gives the viewer a clear sense of a power dynamic.

Tyler Art Gallery at Oswego State Downtown opens from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

For more information, contact Amy Bartell at amy.bartell@oswego.edu. For a schedule of other SUNY Oswego fine and performing arts events, visit oswego.edu/arts.