Best of 2008 Photo Show

Photo by PJ Sykes, acquired via
www.myspace.com/bestof2008photoshow

On February 1st, 2009, a show entitled "Best of 2008 Photo Show" was mounted at Harrison Street Coffee Shop in Richmond, VA. Conceived and curated by PJ Sykes, the show featured the photographs of 24 Richmond photographers (both professional and hobbyists), including a shot by Sykes himself. The works were mounted around the small restaurant, directly above booths and tables, on both the top and bottom floors. The photographs on the top floor were fairly accessible as the tables are narrow and rarely populated. Those mounted on the ground floor were a little more difficult to view. Small photographs above a large booth required one to crawl in to take a close enough look. Booths that were occupied obviously did not allow for this and produced a few awkward moments as I hovered from a short distance, trying to get a decent glimpse of the photograph inside. Although not the ideal setting to view a collective show only once, I can imagine being a regular there, choosing a different booth every time to contemplate and enjoy a different work of art. (If money wasn't an issue I would be a regular there...)

Photo by Hassan Pitts, acquired via
www.myspace.com/bestof2008photoshow

In terms of content I felt like the majority of the images were well chosen. With a concept and title as loose as "Best of 2008 Photo Show," it worked for there to be a variety of images represented. Many of the shots seemed to capture spontaneous moments of life in Richmond. And even some of the obviously posed shots still seemed to capture that essence. This "snapshot" aesthetic united the show, giving it an almost "yearbook" feel... "The Best of Richmond 2008 Yearbook!" Made me want to join the club! It was also neat to see not only my professor, Hassan Pitts, have a photo in the show, but also two other friends/acquaintances. Michael Otley is a friend of a friend that I have met a few times, talked about photography with, and actually taken pictures of as he was playing with his band, Pedals on our Pirate Ships. Ian Graham went to my high school (in Northern VA) and while I don't know him personally, I am friends with his younger sister, Lydia, and have been meaning to have her get the two of us in touch. Randomly knowing two people in a 24 person show was an exciting reminder of how truly small the Richmond art community can be and how important it is to network, not just to stay in the loop but to make like-minded friends that will encourage and push me in my artistic journey, just as I will do for them.