4 - 25 october 2008
Opening: Saturday 4 October, 6 pm

> Call & Answer by Bob Cnoops

These photographs are about hinting at different realities, subjective realities, beyond the obvious, objective, physicality of the object. While the objects have a certain mystery about them, they are recognizable. However, particular features start revealing hidden meanings by shifting the boundaries of direct observation. The intent of the photographs is to direct attention to these hidden meanings, however they may be interpreted. By printing to these very large sizes, out of proportion to the real size of the objects, further mysteries are revealed but not explained. The images cause a sense of wonder and marvel, a mystique and a slightly disturbed feeling by the intended revelations. The principle of “Call and Answer” is a strong element in these photographs. The Call of the image and the Answer of the individual, personal interpretation: the interaction between viewer and image. The photographs are deliberately untitled, except in an objectively descriptive way, so as not to directly influence interpretation.  Most, if not all, of the photographs possess an intended perceptual darkness. This is not necessarily an evil or negative darkness but rather a more or less deliberate expression of perceived disturbance due to every person’s unexpected and often unwanted experiences, which would leave an assortment of scars that are not easy to live with or to come to terms with. These photographs are the scars: the evidence of the earlier wounds. They are the results of coming to terms with these experiences and accepting them for what they can reveal or teach. The photographs become symbols and metaphors of particular concerns. These are declamatory images, they are NOT meant to be decorative

By the use of technical manipulations such as repeat forms within the photographs, directional movement, selective blurring, negative imaging, pointed lighting, etc., the reading of the photographs is directed, even choreographed, and the other, darker, realities of the objects are brought forward into the conscious mind. (Bob Cnoops statement, 2008)

Untitled: Leopard Skull
2008
Van Dyke brown hand print on Fabriano 300gsm?
71x59 cm image size
Ed 5

Untitled: Burnt Dolls head
2008
Van Dyke brown hand print on Fabriano 300gsm
66x59cm Negative Size
Ed 5

Bob Cnoops PDF document :
http://www.onair.co.za/thepremises/bobcnoops.pdf