Vivid Art Gallery First Friday Art Opening

Vivid Art Gallery will host an art opening for Featured Artist Larry Simon on May 2nd at its monthly First Friday event. The opening, which runs from 5-7 PM, is open to all and is free of charge. In addition to great art, there will be refreshments. Larry will also be on hand to discuss his work with visitors.
 
Simon will be presenting new photographic work in his exhibit entitled girovagare: artful wanderings through time and space. Describing this exhibit as a reflection of his artistic process, Simon sees himself as a wanderer whose curiosity guides him to unexpected scenes and objects that he then photographs. This is even reflected in the exhibit title, as “girovagare” is an Italian word that means “to wander” or “to roam”. 
 
In describing his inspiration in the creation of a work of art, Simon continues, “For me, the key is to not have an agenda, so the making of photographs becomes a purely meditative experience. It’s my mute button. Using a rangefinder camera with manual focus helps, because it forces me to slow down and consider a scene that might make an interesting image. When I’m roaming streets of foreign cities--my favorite places to carry a camera--I often find myself in perfect silence as I focus on a subject, almost as if using a sketchbook.”
 
More generally, Larry’s art photography is characterized by a blend of sharp and soft focus. Discussing this aspect of his work, Simon says, “The ambiguity appeals to me. This blend of sharp and soft focus fuels my fascination with our Inner Landscape, a dreamlike place where our logical side can’t always fill in the blanks. I think sometimes what we can’t quite make out or fully understand offers a more compelling story.” Simon also shoots through windows, fabric, and rain to create his distinctive blurred images. All of his work is produced in limited editions.
 
In addition to the art opening at Vivid, a number of other businesses in Hubbard Woods will be celebrating First Friday in May with a “Chocolate Walk,” which will include chocolate themed snacks, other refreshments, and special promotions. Live music will also be playing throughout the district. Details are available at www.shophubbardwoods.com.