Trace Of Memory

Trace of Memory, Chiharu Shiota, Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, 2015



Better late than never, right?  Shiota's large, long term, eight room installation at the Mattress Factory first opened in September of 2013, a week or so after I'd last been there.  I had no idea or I'd have either waited a week on my last visit, or returned sooner.  Not only is this work visually challenging and engaging, but it's also unexpectedly evocative - as if you've walked into the web of someone else's life and have to figure out your place, how you fit.  It's dense and stunning, the yarn webview growing thicker exponentially as you move room to room.  It's an incredible feat, and if you have the chance to experience of any of Shiota's installations, whether yarn or other medium (she's based in Berlin and shows all over the world), GO!  Go and go again.
Also, a hats off to the Mattress Factory, a museum of modern art that is one of the best in the world, and deservedly so. 

Snowy Egret Waterlogue

Snowy Egret Preening, Delaware, 2014

When I restarted this blog a year and a half ago, a version of this photograph was the first post.  A lot has happened since then (not really), and I would like to thank all of my readers for dropping in...but I'm curious - why so many Russian readers?  The largest foreign group that drops by my blog are Russian, oftentimes outnumbering the American readers.  What's the appeal?  Is there an appeal, or is it all just random?
Either way, I hope you all enjoy the Waterlogue Effect because it's going to continue until I am forced to stop.

Waterlogue 10th St. Bridge Pittsburgh

10th Street Bridge in Rain, 2005, Pittsburgh


Someone mentioned in the comments that perhaps an older picture that I'd taken in the rain, while driving across the 10th St. bridge to the south side of Pittsburgh might be interesting.  Well, here it is, and it's properly washed out as one would expect, as if a watercolor had been left out in the rain and the colors all ran.  I kind of like it.

Urban Ducks and Pigeons

Urban Ducks and Pigeons, Pittsburgh

We survived Christmas!

Chicken Noodle Darth Vader

The Force of Product Placement Awakens, 2015


I like Star Wars as much as the next geek, but the product placement is just insane this go-round.  Campbell's soup cans?   And, if I am going to have to endure Star Wars themed labeling on everything from Spaghetti-Os to Shredded Wheat, I would like Daisy Ridley's character, Rey, to be on the cover.  Vader, R2D2, Yoda, a generic Stormtrooper have been done to absolute death!  They are so ubiquitous as to be invisible.  Give us a fresh face, if we must be given anything.

Ducks On Lake Seneca

Mallard with Ducklings, Lake Seneca, NY, 2013



What could possibly be a more appropriate subject for the waterlogue effect than ducks on water?  The original photo was taken while a storm was brewing, the normally placid water had become choppy, and the mother duck was steering her brood toward safety.

New River Gorge Bridge in Watercolor Effect

Bridge, New River Gorge, WV, 2007


Yes, yes, I'm still tinkering with the microsoft app, Waterlogue.  I like it.  I don't love it, but I definitely like it - for now.