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| Geology student Alyssa Schwarz wrote this placard for the photographer Vittorio Sella gelatin silver print, titled 'Weisshorn and Mischable from Summit of Castor, Mt. Rosa.' (as seen in the Foothills Art Center) |
GOLDEN, Colo., July 24, 2015 – You know the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” So imagine only having one hundred words to explain a photograph.
That was the case for six students, who as part of their final project in ‘Photography, Geology and Mountaineering' — led by professors Paul Santi (Geology and Geological Engineering) and Tina Gianquitto (Liberal Arts and International Studies) — had to examine a group of photos and prepare exhibit labels for the Foothills Art Center.
Marianne Lorenz, curator of the center, asked students to write descriptions that could help explain the geological process and landforms shown in the Ansel Adams photographic exhibit.
“Students examined the photos and had to figure out the location and geology, and tie that in to what made it interesting for the artist — such as the texture of the landscape (soft or sharp), geometry (sets of parallel lines or diagonals) and lighting (how the geology influences light, dark or shadows),” said Santi. “There’s a lot of light and dark contrasts with the photography development process. Ansel Adams has got this eye that encompasses the geology, really what he’s looking at is how the shapes and light compose it.”
Students also worked with a collection of photographs by Vittorio Sella, an Italian photographer from a generation earlier whose photos from the Alps and Himalayas were Adams’ inspiration. The Sella photos are also part of the exhibit.
To be enrolled in the course this past spring, students had to submit a short essay indicating their experience and interest in the subject.
Visit the exhibit, “Ansel Adams: Masterworks: From the Collection of the Turtle Bay Exploration Center, Redding CA,” now until Aug. 30 at the Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St., Golden. You can also register online.
Museum hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sundays, 12-5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and youth 10 and over; $5 for Mines students; and free for youth under 10. Members receive discounted admission.
Contact:
Kathleen Morton, Digital Media & Communications Manager / 303-273-3088 / KMorton@mines.edu
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations / 303-273-3541 / KGilbert@mines.edu
