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| Five years at the Open Shutter
by Jules Masterjohn So much life is happening this month on the walls of the Open Shutter Gallery during their 5th anniversary “Retrospective,” an exhibition of fine art photography from the gallery’s past exhibits. Amidst the many images, we are reminded that our world is big; that our 7.5 billion shapes and colors are diverse; that humans are not the only species inhabiting this sphere; and the earth’s lands are beautiful, haunting and awe-inspiring. When I say “life is happening,” I mean there are images that capture a split second in time, that moment that will never repeat itself, that instant that is precious, splendid and absolutely unique. Like Finnish photographer Pentti Sammallahti’s black and white wide-angle image of children, dogs and a car in a snow-covered landscape. The children are engaged and engaging: two are pushing the snow-impeded auto, the other two are addressing the photograph straight on with their inquisitive and direct stares. Sammallhati is just one of the many famous photographers that Open Shutter Gallery has exhibited since it opened its doors five years ago. Another is National Geographic photographer Bill Hatcher, who, when he’s not globetrotting, lives in neighboring Dolores. Hatcher, in his color photograph of the tip of an iceberg, has captured the potential of a moment. Floating, almost unnoticeably next to the five-story high ice arch, is an inflatable raft filled with spectators. Small bits of ice seem to be falling into the arctic waters, giving the image a sense of impending action, as is something is going to happen and, if it does, it will be spectacular. Kenya, Africa, is the location for yet another of life’s quiet and hidden dramas. World-renowned photographer Phil Borges shows us what two Kenyan women are seeing while looking out into the desert, after a night spent hiding from poachers. A singular tree is in their view. Their story is printed in text on the photo’s glass, adding another layer of information to the visuals. One more of his images portrays an indigenous child, dirty from poverty, poignantly looking into the camera. A third image is a portrait of the Dalai Lama. Beautiful photographs, these images acknowledge that there is suffering in the world, and those individuals pictured by Borges implore us to be conscious of this reality. Driven by the vision of owner and photographer Margy Dudley, Open Shutter Gallery has gained a reputation among photographers in and beyond our region. Dudley has been successful at attracting well-known photographers, through her earnest and passionate approach, to show their work and be represented by her gallery. “All the photographers I have talked to already know about Durango,” she told me. Though
Driven by the vision of owner and photographer Margy Dudley, Open Shutter Gallery has gained a reputation among photographers in and beyond our region. Dudley has been successful at attracting well-known photographers, through her earnest and passionate approach, to show their work and be represented by her gallery. “All the photographers I have talked to already know about Durango,” she told me. Though they know they may not sell a lot here, all of the photographers Dudley has contacted have excitedly agreed to send her their work for display. For a few of those she has shown, their gallery representation list reads: Milan, Prague, Paris, New York, San Francisco, and Durango. Open Shutter also has cultivated the solid support from local and regional photographers. Dolores-based photographer Lou Swenson – whose black-and-white images are some of the gallery’s best sellers – can be regularly sighted chatting with the gallery staff. This is exactly what makes Dudley’s eye twinkle: creating a center for photography that is a gathering place for photographers and enthusiasts to exchange ideas, and an exhibition space for locals to sell their work. Equally important to her mission is educating the community about nationally known photographers by bringing their work to Durango. It’s an interesting study to see regional photographers holding their own amidst the “biggies” on Open Shutter’s walls. Durango area photographers Gunnar Conrad, Katherine Feng, Claude Steelman, Emilio Mercado, Paul Boyer and Jenny Gummersal among others not only share the walls this month but also the pages of a new book, Five Years at the Open Shutter Gallery, which commemorates the anniversary. Dudley is self-publishing the full-color, limited-edition book, with assistance from gallery manager Brandon Donahue and photographer Paul Boyer. It’s a big event for the gallery and its staff, not only being 5 but also venturing out into the publishing realm. Open Shutter is no stranger to books, however. The gallery offers the largest selection of fine-art photography books in the area, with titles from nearly every photographer they represent. Join local photographers and enthusiasts at the Open Shutter Gallery for the reception for the 5th anniversary “Retrospective” this Fri., Dec. 8, from 5-8 p.m. There will be champagne, dark chocolate cake, strawberries, party favors, and a gift certificate drawing to thank the community for its support. See you there! • Open Shutter Gallery is located at 755 East Second Avenue, www.openshuttergallery.com.
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The Independent Weekly Line on Durango and Beyond
