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Hyde Street Gallery

May 21 - June 21, 2010

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1987 Hyde Street San Francisco, CA 94109
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Spectra Landschaft
Hyde Street Gallery opens an exhibition of photograms by Bay Area artist, Rebecca Najdowski, on Friday, May 21, 2010. The series on view, Spectra, demonstrates her interest in experimental photograms, a process where objects are used to expose photo emulsion paper in a darkroom, instead of a negative. Nadjowski’s works feature vibrant portraits achieved by layered plastic bags on metallic light-sensitive paper in a darkroom. Her translucent color fields evoke a loud personality and absurd reality. At first glance, the images appear to be mocking the viewer; but one soon realizes the playful quality of each portrait. Najdowski uses found objects she has collected from her travels all around the world. The layers of translucent plastic bags add multi-dimensions and unique characteristics to each image. Spectra was inspired by the Buddhist belief of Hungry Ghosts, who are ghosts that feed on the emotions of living humans. Hungry Ghosts are usually depicted as teardrops with thin necks that make eating very painful. Najdowski investigates portraiture and abstraction in her photograms on view. Untitled (burst) demonstrates Najdowski’s use of varying experimental techniques – through spraying light she was able to create an explosion effect on the paper. Her continued experimentation into manipulation of light is demonstrated in the eyes and mouth of Untitled (burst). Rebecca Najdowski is an internationally exhibited visual artist who uses photography, video, and land-based interventions in her practice. Her work is concerned with the thresholds between method and chance, humankind and the natural environment, and the transcendental and the vernacular. She lives in San Francisco where she received a Master of Fine Arts at the California College of the Arts in 2010. Rebecca was recently awarded a Fulbright Grant to complete a visual and social art project in Brazil in the forthcoming year.
Spectra untitled (burst)