Author: mblum6180_l6d6qy

https://www.lvpnews.com/20221223/gallery-view-rotunda-nature-and-machine

Published December 23. 2022 07:15PM by ED COURRIER Special to The Press “Nature and Machine” featured photographs by Lehigh Valley artist Matthew Blum at the Rotunda Gallery, Town Hall, Bethlehem. The exhibit is a result of Blum’s camerawork and darkroom experiments, including palladium, cyanotype, albumen, ambrotype, gumoil and silver gelatin processes. “With my photography, I prefer traditional ways of photography printing. Depending on the subject, I’ll use the best-suited camera as a brush to capture the scene. Once captured, each photograph is hand-printed individually in the darkroom,” according to Blum’s artist’s statement. “What makes this photography show so unique is that Matthew uses a variety of darkroom techniques that truly elevates it from the typical genre of photography,” says DePietro, who co-curated the exhibition with Richard Begbie. “I like this space as it’s circular,” Blum says of the Rotunda Gallery and the exhibition’s subject matter. “They balance each other out.” On the “Nature” side of the gallery, Blum’s “Pinhole Trees” (2021; silver gelatin print, 11 in. x 14 in.) was photographed with a pinhole camera he created on a 3-D printer. The image was shot with a three-second exposure at Lake Muhlenberg, Cedar Beach Park, Allentown. Images of trees, bison, shells and blossoms make up the flora and fauna half of the exhibit. The “Machine” side features a silver gelatin “Boombox,” as well as vintage vehicles, typewriter keys, piano and Bethlehem Steel plant images. Blum, an Allentown-based artist, first began working in film-making. He later developed an interest in still photography and built a modest 35mm darkroom. His darkroom expanded to a large format 4 by 5 setup. The exhibition, sponsored by the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission, concluded Dec. 21. Rotunda Gallery, Town Hall, 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem. Gallery hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday, Closed weekends and holidays. Information: www.bfac-lv.org “Gallery View” is a column about artists, exhibitions and galleries.

Allentown-based artist, Matthew Blum, unveiled his compelling “Nature and Machine” collection at Bethlehem Town Hall’s Rotunda Gallery on November 13, 2022. This exquisite showcase comprised 30 captivating photographs, masterfully executed using traditional techniques such as palladium, cyanotype, and silver gelatin. Among the highlights were the ethereal “Iris” rendered in palladium, and the striking “1956 Lincoln Premiere” in silver gelatin. Art enthusiasts had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Blum’s vision until December 21.

Photographer Matthew Blum was recently featured on LV Arts Salon with Silagh White, highlighting his upcoming exhibit, “Nature and Machine.” The exhibit, which will be on display at the Bethlehem City Hall Rotunda Gallery from November 13 to December 21, 2022, explores the relationship between the natural world and machinery. Tune into LV Arts Salon for insights from Matthew and mark your calendar for the exhibit.