David Fokos and Rebecca Bird - Solo Exhibitions March 14, 2009

David Fokos

Using long exposures, ranging from 20 seconds to 60 minutes, I have
worked with the camera’s unique ability to “average time” in order to
examine and understand the mechanisms of human perception and to
reconcile our differing subjective and objective views of the world.

With this series of images I have used the camera as a scientific
instrument, the way a biologist might use a microscope or an astronomer a
telescope, to reveal what is felt but often unseen.

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Rebecca Bird.

This series of paintings re-presents photos of nuclear bomb blasts. As reference material I use government photos from the National Archive and published sources. The images tend to be somewhat familiar, as there are a limited number of photographs documenting a discrete number of events.

Some of the pieces include pencil lines, positing rulers by which to measure. The concern with accuracy, cataloging, tabulation reveals an underlying anxiety about the limits of knowing, of empathy, as well as other forms of understanding. The paintings attempt to duplicate mental distancing techniques. The formality and static-ness, the clean paper and cool shades of watercolor disassociate aesthetic appreciation from recognition of the subject.

Official Website: http://kopeikingallery.com/