The pop-up exhibition “light + pressure” combines firefly photography on metal by Mark Magnarella and embossed abstracts on handmade paper by Ben Sidney Rouse. Embodying a sense of magic and fairy tale-like allure, Magnarella’s enchanting images capture the rare phenomena of synchronous fireflies who light up in unison. Shooting long exposures without any artificial light—which can affect the firefly populations—the photographs involve a considerably challenging process, but emphasize the value of real-life images in a world of AI generators and editing tools. Rouse’s embossed works are both visual and tactile, communicating mood, tension or comfort through physical etchings in a more cerebral, intuitive way. Often describing his pieces as “braille art,” Rouse says, “Instead of spelling out specific words or letters, my work expresses things more abstract or emotional—a kind of spiritual braille you read with your heart or eyes.” Taking over Magnarella’s mPrint Design’s studio for just two nights, “light + pressure” will host an opening reception Friday from 6–9:30 p.m. and open studio hours Saturday from 12–5 p.m.
WHO: “light + pressure”
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 10, 6-9:30 p.m. (Opening Reception) & Saturday, Nov. 11, 12–5 p.m. (Open Studio)
WHERE: Leathers Building, Suite 1600
HOW MUCH: FREE!
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