BC Space: Defining Artivism Press Release
August 25, 2010
Contemporary Art Dialogue Introduces new eBook BC Space: Defining Artivism
The website, Contemporary Art Dialogue, recently added a new page, Photography Art eBook Explores Art Activism. The page introduces readers to its eBook, BC Space: Defining Artivism," that is available for free when readers subscribe to the sites newsletter.
"Defining Artivism" traces the history of BC Space Gallery, Laguna Beach, California which is one of the longest running contemporary fine art photography galleries in the country.
Contemporary Art Dialogues Liz Goldner explains that the eBook represents several hundred hours of researching, organizing and writing. She also spent numerous hours listening to BC Space owner Mark Chamberlain talk about his life and work and about the many people he has worked with over the years.
The eBook contains 9,000 words and 50 color and black & white photographs, some nearly 40 years old. These priceless hi-resolution images include artwork and documentary photos.
"Defining Artivism" contains 21 headings, including: Introduction, Post Graduate Military Education, Creating BC Space, Aggressively Contemporary Work, Days of Transition, Laguna Canyon Project, Tales of the Tell, Gallery Ambience Today, and Reflections of an Artivist.
From Introduction: The art of photography is a dynamic process of giving form to ideas and explaining man to man, wrote photographer Edward Steichen in 1955. He was referring to the Museum of Modern Art exhibition, The Family of Man. Despite selected photography exhibitions in a few visionary museums and galleries, photography back then was commonly perceived as an adjunct to other art forms...
From Creating BC Space: This was a time of great change. We were affected by the ongoing war and the undercurrent of protests. You could say that BC Space was forged in the cauldron of that contentious time period. It is easy to visualize Burchfield (Marks longtime partner) and Chamberlain in 1973, their combined vision, insightful natures, penchant for working and playing hard, and their attractive bohemian looks. They were a natural pair, destined to help change the prevailing perceptions of photography, while addressing societal concerns in their art.
From Gallery Ambience Today: In downtown Laguna, a Frisbees throw from the ocean, theres an innocuous steel door with a discreet sign. Open that 85-year-old door, climb a steep, narrow stairway to a large, bright entryway lined with artworks. Walk into two well-lit galleries, the second with skylight and black ceiling. Continue into a large open area, the combined studio/entertainment/performance area. Accoutrements include a small stage from the original Masonic Hall, a first-rate sound system, a projection screen, and large glass doors facing a quiet lane.
From About the Writer: Exchanging ideas with creative people is encouraging and often exhilarating. But I have never seen the flame of creativity burn as brightly as it does in Mark Chamberlain and Jerry Burchfield. They are tireless artists whose focus, passion and purpose imbue their lives with elegance and vibrancy, while creating magic for the art world and inspiration for the greater world."
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