Coriolana Simon of TimePoints Photography announces the opening of her premiere exhibit of still life photography. The exhibit is being held at Glenview Mansion in Rockville from April 2 to May 12. The opening reception takes place on Sunday, April 2, from 1:30 to 3:30, and all SSCC members are invited.
Titled “Time’s Mirror,” the exhibit displays 18 of Coco’s still lifes, which re-interpret 17th century Dutch still life paintings. Coco explains that she has long admired the still life paintings by Dutch artists of the “golden age.” She takes her inspiration from these works, which were executed almost in a photo-realist style, painted on wood panels rather than canvas, using extremely fine brushes. Never copying a painting, Coco reinterprets the themes, composition, lighting, and the very objects that appear in the original paintings. Her pocket watches and quill pens, pewter tankards and traditional roemer wine glasses, oriental carpets and Chinese porcelain all seem to spring right out of the Dutch still lifes.
The original paintings serve as a window for us into Dutch “golden age” culture, giving us, at one level, a detailed view of life inside the home, around the dining table. We see the cheeses, fruits, shellfish, even the beer that represented abundant local staples in the phenomenally wealthy Dutch economy. But we also see the proud display of exotic treats and treasures brought home by the masters of the mid-17th century global economy: lemons, figs, and olives from the Mediterranean, pipe tobacco from Virginia and Maryland, sugar from Brazil, pepper and spices from the East Indies, and rugs from Ottoman lands.
The window into Dutch society created by the paintings also serves as a mirror and gives us food for thought about our own way of life. How much of the moral warnings symbolized in the paintings hold true for us today? The Dutch worried deeply that overindulgence in material things would lead to divine retribution. As a result, they tried as individuals – and as a people – to keep their life balanced and moderate. In our time of plenty, do we harbor any parallel fears? How do we respond to the obvious impermanence of all things? Do we panic at the ticking of the clock? Do we ever wonder why we accumulated so much stuff?
These are complex ideas to bring to one’s photographs. Coco says that in her still lifes, she hopes she can reinterpret not only the styles but also the spirit of the 17th century Dutch – and, through them, create a reflection back onto our own culture. Come see for yourself!
