Synthetic Environments

April 10 – 29, 2010
Mina Dresden Gallery
312 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Gallery Hours: Wednesday to Saturday from 3-7 pm

Statement

syn·thet·ic
Involving or of the nature of synthesis – combining separate elements to form a coherent whole; produced by synthesis; not of natural origin; not real or genuine; artificially prepared or made artificially; imitating something superior.

en·vi·ron·ment
The circumstances, objects, or conditions by which one is surrounded. a: the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival b: the aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or community

Living day-to-day in this hyperkinetic 21st century world, it’s hard to find places that are not synthetic. While the “natural” is a revered and sought-after commodity, very little we encounter is in an unmarked or pristine state.

If our world is synthetic and the environments we encounter are manufactured, artificial and put together, what does this say about our place in the world? How does living in a world of artifice affect us? What objects do we revere and what artifacts represent us?

The Bay Area Photographers Collective put a challenge to its photographers to examine and explore the worlds of artifice in which we live. The result: ten BAPC members present ten “takes” or visions of their synthetic environments.

Exhibitors
Alan George
Ari Salomon
Charlotte Niel
David Broom
Eric Larson
Erin Malone
Kay Taneyhill
Kirk Thomas
Tom De Carlo
Tom Lavin

Review in SF Examiner Photo blog