For all of you who can’t make it, all of my images (in the order in which they are hung) and the artist statement are displayed below:

Artist Statement| Childhood

Jana Carrey, 2010

In 2007, Childhood began during a phase of experimentation with street documentary photography – as a departure from ethnographic documentary work. I began to temporarily engage with the lives of unknown children as they explored their environments. As the series grew, I sought to capture the “manufactured” boundaries that children met due to the structure of the societies (UK, USA, Portugal, Germany) in which I photographed; boundaries that contrast with the ephemeral and limitless nature of childhood.

Over the course of the 50 days, I embarked on another exploration of childhood and the series took on a new life. I quickly became captivated with the constant motion of children and sought to capture the movement and flow of these energetic little beings. Childhood became a reflection of impermanence: just as children are ever changing and unpredictable, so are the environments in which they are juxtaposed.

To best photograph children at play, I had to exist in the realm of childhood magic, where life unfolds moment by moment. I sought to be led by the uninhibited spirit that moves through these children and to see the world from a perspective where boundaries blur and imagination is real. Observing the world from a child’s point of view, everything becomes new again.  Colors brighten, there is mystery around every corner, the world is full of life.

These last images, shot in Golden Gate Park, remind me of my own childhood and dancing to the Teddy Bear’s Picnic. The lyrics ran through my mind as I captured these youngsters hiding from their parents and seeking each other amongst the trees. Ironically, a few of these last images of the boy amongst the trees are similar to the first images that I took of a boy amongst the birch trees, 3 years ago, near the Tate Modern in London. Interesting how things have a way of coming full circle…

This image inspired the idea of the Childhood series.

I’ve enjoyed the adventure of these last 50 days and it was an extremely fulfilling process to choose a theme and see how it evolved, through dry spells and creative highs. Now I’m looking forward to exhibiting these works alongside 59 other talented artists and seeing how a variety of themes and mediums progressed over the course of 50 days.

For more details: 50/5o Show II and press in the SF Gate.

This series was shot along the South Coast of England, in between Southampton and Portsmouth, juxtaposed next to the port where the Titanic began its fated journey. These children embrace the simple pleasures of the eternal summer: boys and their dogs splashing through puddles, adventuring in golden fields that roll into imaginary jungles, “launching,” as I heard one boy exclaim, “the Titanic 2 out into the sea…”

The last few days, pounding the gritty summer streets of London, I wonder if the eternal summer still lives on in the hearts of the Suits? Perhaps when they pause to eat a drippy ice cream or take a moment to dream in the sun?

It’s amazing how travel re-invigorates the creative spirit … or mine at least. I’ve lost track of the days but somewhere in between Week 3 and 4 I began to lose steam. Finding new environments and angles for Childhood – a series that I’ve been working on for two years – was starting to feel a bit like work.

However, now that I am on holiday and away from my quotidian rituals, the impulse to observe all the intricate details of life returns. I’m driven forward, curious to know what lurks around each city street or country lane corner. Grateful, to see the world again with a child’s eyes.

July 30-August 29, 2010

Ticketed Preview, Thursday, July 29, 7-9pm

Grand Opening, Friday, July 30, 6-10pm

Grand Closing, Saturday, August 29, 1-5pm

My Childhood photographs will be featured in the 50-50 Show II. This year’s show also takes place at the Sanchez Art Center, in Pacifica, CA – just 20 minutes south of San Francisco – and will fill all three galleries. Sixty-nine artists selected by juror Marian Parmenter, co-founder of SFMOMA Artists Gallery, will display the fruits of their fifty days of labor. All work will be for sale at very reasonable prices, so plan to pick up some gems!

My work can be viewed here on my blog. If you see any work that you want to purchase, please contact me and I can reserve it for you in a pre-sale agreement. Additionally, I will be selling my prints on my new on-line store, after the show ends on August 30.

Be among the first to see the 50-50 Show II and reserve your artwork at the Ticketed Preview evening on Thursday, July 29. The number of tickets will be limited, so purchase yours early at Brown Paper Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/116189 or 1-800-838-3006.

Click here to view the roster of other participating artists and link to their blogs or websites.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: 50/50 Show, 50/50 Show II, Fundraiser, Gallery, Grand Closing, Grand Opening, Pacifica, Preview, Sanchez Art Center ]]> http://blog.janacarrey.com/2010/06/19/5050-show-ii/feed/ 1 janacarreyphotography 50/50 Show II http://blog.janacarrey.com/2010/06/16/pictory-2/ http://blog.janacarrey.com/2010/06/16/pictory-2/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:44:31 +0000 janacarreyphotography http://blog.janacarrey.com/?p=913 ]]>

This special edition of Pictory is published for Father’s Day. Again, I have the honor of being published in this brilliant online magazine. This edition was designed by founder Laura Bruno Miner in collaboration with writer Lauren Ladoceour.

Going Soft

I can’t remember what sparked the rare, deep smile that spread across his face that day, but I’m thrilled that I got to capture it. A fierce negotiator and man of strength, he terrified me with his discipline and stern nature when I was young. Little did I know then that his tough exterior harbored such a warm heart. He teared up reading Grover Goes to School, typed country songs into poems for his wedding anniversaries, and provided a belly for me to nap on when I was small enough. And he’s happy just to wake up every day — to a warm cup of coffee and a poppy seed bagel — and protect the rest of us softies of the world.

This weeks images were all shot in one (secret) location. Although it was a pleasure to photograph, being on the road means that finding time to edit, re-edit, and post is a bit tricky. I’ve worked on and in between flights at airports and from crappy Cape Cod internet cafes (obviously, this place was meant to be enjoyed outdoors NOT indoors). However, on this very rainy Sunday  I was determined to get on-line to post this next round of images.  Tomorrow, I will  get back behind the camera, this time from across the pond.

Lets see what the children in London are up to….

So far each week is distinct.  All  images are within the theme of childhood, but I decided that each of the 7 rows (on the 7 x 7 ) grid will have a different look and feel to them, which means 7 images per week in the same “visual theme” or group. (If you look at the images, it makes a lot more sense than explaining this in words).  My process often involves big shoots on one or two days a week but spending the rest of the week editing photos – so that I am essentially creating an image a day. (The printing and mounting will come after day 50)…

Halfway through Week 4 I’ll be embarking on a three-week adventure to Cape Cod & the UK – so that should lead to some exciting new photographic adventures. Stay tuned!

Exploring childhood is extremely rewarding and forcing me to stay open to the moment.  Children are fascinating to observe – their unhindered beings move with such energy and vitality.  Lost in the world of their imaginations – they whirl and dance and jump and run.  As free as they can be: within the bounds of a playground or under a parent’s watchful eye.

Each time I go out, I’m faced with my mountain of doubts – will the weather hold up?  Will the lighting be good? Where will I be lead to shoot?  Will I capture any good images? Where ARE the children playing today? Will their parents notice that I’m not really shooting that building but focusing on their children instead? It’s all a mystery – an explorer seeking new visual adventures.  During a shoot, the landscape will appear barren. I’m challenged to be patient. I’ll get frustrated and moments later a few little guys run by – seeming to appear out of nowhere.  Then I’m challenged to keep up.

I’ve been accepted from a pool of 120+ artists to be in the 50/50 show @ the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, CA.  I will create 50 artworks in 50 days, beginning Monday, May 17 and ending Monday, July 5.  For the show, each artist committed to a specific theme and medium of their choice and was given 50 6″ x 6″ MDF panels on which to create their works.   I will continue my street documentary series, Childhood, creating giclee prints from digital negatives – which I will spray mount on the panels.

The 50/50 show will be on display from the grand opening on July 30 – August 29th.  There will be a ticketed preview on July 29th.  All the participating artist’s works will be displayed in a  7 x 7 square grid, with one image framed and hung to the side.   All images will be for sale.  Buyers can take panels with them on the day of purchase.

I’m excited to see how the Childhood series evolves over the next 50 days, both here in San Francisco and in the UK.   I am both energized and calmed by observing children and getting drawn into their imaginary worlds.  My own inner artist feels a bit freer, as my adult seriousness melts away.

I will do my best to blog about my progress throughout the next 50 days. If you would like more information about the show or the process, please contact me!