11/1/2007
Edra Soto
Polvo, Chicago
Familiar Portraits. The photo installation examines the ordinary process of taking pictures of things we love: our pets, our babies, possessions, etc. and projects a view on how we reclaim things in life and our sense of ownership.
Familiar Portraits
One way of acquiring an immediate sense of
ownership to space, person and moment you are
living in life is the simple action of taking a picture of
it.
A way to review our tendencies, impulses or
compulsions is by going in retrospect and examining
our past approaches. In Familiar Portraits, Edra Soto
examines the ordinary process of taking pictures of
things we love; our pets, our babies, possessions,
etc. and project a view on how we reclaim things in
life; our sense of ownership.
For this sociological approach, the artist invited a
group of friends and family to participate in this visual
survey. Soto asked them to donate pictures they
have taken of their beloved ones (pets, babies, etc).
All their contributions constitute her personal
narrative of what "familiar" means.
Familiar Portraits is presented as an installation
(narrow space defined by two walls inside the gallery
space) displaying a series of photo collections
interrelated by the artist. Some of the photographs
are perceptive and others are fictional
representation. The fictional representations are
digital manipulations created by the artist and are
integral to the narrative of this project. In Familiar
Portraits, Soto utilize hierarchical classifications,
proportions and sets to create visual and
organizational schemes.
Soto's interest in classic subjects like portraits, still
lifes and landscapes have led her to a personal
questioning about the social concept of family,
extended families, the people or animals we live with,
who we love and why.
Image : Edra Soto, Fondness 2006. Courtesy of
Polvo, Chicago
Opening Friday January 12, 2007
Polvo
1458 W. 18th St. - Chicago
Hours: saturdays noon-5pm or by appointment