Photography Art eBook Explores Art Activism
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BC Space: Defining Artivism)
Contemporary Art Dialogue's photography art eBook, BC Space: Defining Artivism, traces the history of BC Space Gallery - described as "perhaps the longest running contemporary fine art photography gallery in the country."
The Forward to the book explains, "Mark Chamberlain often uses 'Artivism' - combining 'art' with 'activism' to describe the environmental photographic artwork that he and Jerry Burchfield have pursued since the early 1970s. Artivism opens viewers' eyes to the conditions of humankind, aspiring to create a better world."
Our photography art eBook contains 9,000 words and 50 color and black & white photos. Some images depict people and scenes of the Midwest from years ago. Others follow the progression of BC Space Gallery, including its people, projects and exhibitions, from 1975 to the present.
Defining Artivism is the compilation of hundreds of hours of research and interviews. Writer Liz Goldner explains in the book, "I have never seen the flame of creativity burn as brightly as it does in Mark and Jerry. 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."
Our photography art eBook is a work in progress, involving many people. There are extensive interviews with Burchfield and Chamberlain. There are comments by 14 additional people - all have worked in visual arts - who express their thoughts and opinions about BCs founders and about its many groundbreaking activities.
As a work in progress, Defining Artivism is free and available to anyone who subscribes to Contemporary Art Dialogues newsletter (see below).
From Creating BC Space Chapter
"This was a time of great change," Chamberlain says. "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."
From Aggressively Contemporary Work Chapter
As BC Space grew in vision, complexity of exhibitions, and size, several hundred people joined its evolution. These employees, volunteers, and artists helped construct the space, mount the shows, display work, and even perform there. The Space became a multidisciplinary venue, encompassing all visual media, including film and performance arts.
From Gallery Ambience Chapter
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 a 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.
