Conceptual Black and White Photography

Tacita Dean (British, born 1965) Aerial View of Teignmouth Electron, Cayman Brac 16th of September 1998, 2000 Medium: Gelatin silver print on paper Dimensions: 21 x 26 cm (8 1/4 x 10...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist,...

Christopher Williams is a conceptual artist and fine art photographer This image is from the series of pictures of a 1964 automobile on its side ...

In this self portrait, Savannah Spirit turns the tradition of black and white female portraiture back on itself. The muse is the artist, and the lens is her own. Spirit believes th...

Erotica to save our souls. Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. ARTSY: May 28, 2019: The Photographers Fighting Instagram’s Censorship of Nude Bodies, by Kelsey Ables. ...

Savannah Spirit Feeling Hollywood 30 x 20 inches Signed by artist Other editions: Feeling Hollywood (Freedom for the Artist) 40 x 28 inches Signed by artist Latest press ARTSY: Ma...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Through her artwork and curation, Spirit takes on technology and social media censors who operate on the assumption that any unclothed body is pornography. Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. "We are unique beauty, we are strong, we are equal, we are body-positive, we are elegant, we are powerful, we are vulnerable. We are our own muses." Style: This photograph combines a feminist eye and modern feminism with classic vintage pinup...

In this self portrait, Savannah Spirit turns the tradition of black and white female portraiture back on itself. The muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Through her artistic, social and curatorial projects, Spirit also takes on technology and social media censors, who assume that the unclothed body of a human, especially of those who identify as female, is pornography that must be controlled. Her artwork asserts that a woman is her own muse. Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Press FORBES: Savannah Spirit Wants to Trigger Your Trump VICE: Erotic Art Fights Trump with Scenes of Female Pleasure BULLETT: The Art Show Fighting Fascism with Erotica HUFFINGTON POST: Artists Are Resisting Trump's Misogyny with Erotic Art DAZED: The Erotic Show Taking on Donald Trump Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Published: City Journal Huffington Post The Color Theory Expert Snap The Nation Global Yodel THE magazine Live Mag! The Villager Ravelin D/Railed Magazine Open Letr Style: This photograph combines a feminist eye and modern feminism with classic vintage pinup...

In this self portrait, Savannah Spirit turns the tradition of black and white female portraiture back on itself. The muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes th...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Through her artwork and curation, Spirit takes on technology and social media censors who operate on the assumption that any unclothed body is pornography. Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. "We are unique beauty, we are strong, we are equal, we are body-positive, we are elegant, we are powerful, we are vulnerable. We are our own muses." Style: This photograph combines a feminist eye and modern feminism with classic vintage pinup...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze ...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Through her artwork and curation, Spirit takes on technology and social media censors who operate on the assumption that any unclothed body is pornography. Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Savannah Spirit Topaz 20” x 26” Silver gelatin print 1/1 "We are unique beauty, we are strong, we are equal, we are body-positive, we are elegant, we are powerful, we are vulnerable. We are our own muses." Style: This photograph combines a feminist eye and modern feminism with classic vintage pinup...

Landscape photography by fine art and documentary photographer Holly Gordon. Holly Gordon is one of the many treasures that Long Island has to offer, co...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Through her artwork and curation, Spirit takes on technology and social media censors who operate on the assumption that any unclothed body is pornography. Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition 3/3 $2200 Style: This photograph combines a feminist eye and modern feminism with classic vintage...

Savannah Spirit Shadow of a Doubt 30 x 30 inches Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition 1 of 5 Signed by artist Latest press ARTSY...

Press FORBES: Savannah Spirit Wants to Trigger Your Trump VICE: Erotic Art Fights Trump with Scenes of Female Pleasure BULLETT: The Art Show Fighting Fascism with Erotica HUFFINGTON...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Through her artwork and curation, Spirit takes on technology and social media censors who operate on the assumption that any unclothed body is pornography. Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Savannah Spirit Topaz 11” x 14” Silver gelatin print 1/1 "We are unique beauty, we are strong, we are equal, we are body-positive, we are elegant, we are powerful, we are vulnerable. We are our own muses." Style: This photograph combines a feminist eye and modern feminism with classic vintage pinup...

Savannah Spirit God is a Woman 30 x 30 inches Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition 1 of 5 Signed by artist Latest press ARTSY: May 28, 2019: The Photographers Fi...

Savannah Spirit Feeling Hollywood 40 x 28 inches Edition of 5 Signed and numbered by artist to order. Latest press ARTSY: May 28, 2019: The Photographers Fighting Instagram’s Censo...

Further to Fly is a series of Wet Plate Collodion Photograms that continues in my practice of using drawings on mylar layered with light-sensitive materials in the darkroom to create...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Through her artwork and curation, Spirit takes on technology and social media censors who operate on the assumption that any unclothed body is pornography. Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. "We are unique beauty, we are strong, we are equal, we are body-positive, we are elegant, we are powerful, we are vulnerable. We are our own muses." Style: This photograph combines a feminist eye and modern feminism with classic vintage pinup...

Further to Fly is a series of Wet Plate Collodion Photograms that continues in my practice of using drawings on mylar layered with light-sensitive materials in the darkroom to create...

Further to Fly is a series of Wet Plate Collodion Photograms that continues in my practice of using drawings on mylar layered with light-sensitive materials in the darkroom to create imagined landscapes. The illustrations used in the series are based on reference shots I took in Palm Springs...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. ...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Through her artwork and curation, Spirit takes on technology and social media censors who operate on the assumption that any unclothed body is pornography. #Contemporary black and white nude photography by Savannah Spirit Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. "We are unique beauty, we are strong, we are equal, we are body-positive, we are elegant, we are powerful, we are vulnerable. We are our own muses." Style: This photograph combines a feminist eye and modern feminism with classic vintage...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist,...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Through her artwork and curation, Spirit takes on technology and social media censors who operate on the assumption that any unclothed body is pornography. Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. "We are unique beauty, we are strong, we are equal, we are body-positive, we are elegant, we are powerful, we are vulnerable. We are our own muses." Style: This photograph combines a feminist eye and modern feminism with classic vintage pinup...

Blomberg 1, Laser cut archival pigment ink print, signed, numbered, framed Ideas of home and dislocation have always been compelling to me as the child of immigrant parents who arri...

Savannah Spirit We The Nipple 30 x 30 inches Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition of 5 Signed by artist Erotica to save our souls. Latest press ARTSY: May 28, 2019: The Photographers Fighting Instagram’s Censorship of Nude Bodies, by Kelsey Ables. First artist featured: Savannah Spirit. In this self portrait, Savannah Spirit turns the tradition of black and white female portraiture back on itself. The muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Her artwork asserts that a woman is her own muse. Through her artistic, social and curatorial projects, Spirit also takes on technology and social media censors, who assume that the unclothed body of a human—especially a female human—is by definition, pornography, in need of control. Press FORBES: Savannah Spirit Wants to Trigger Your Trump VICE: Erotic Art Fights Trump with Scenes of Female Pleasure BULLETT: The Art Show Fighting Fascism with Erotica HUFFINGTON POST: Artists Are Resisting Trump's Misogyny with Erotic Art DAZED: The Erotic Show Taking on Donald Trump Internal: Savannah Spirit, Black and White Photography, Black and White Nude...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze back on itself. In this series, the muse is the artist,...

Braunschweig 1, Laser cut archival pigment ink print, signed, numbered, framed Ideas of home and dislocation have always been compelling to me as the child of immigrant parents who...

Savannah Spirit Laced 30 x 40 inches Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition 1 of 5 Signed by artist Latest press ARTSY: May 28, 2019: The Photographers Fighting In...

`Shadow Within` Norway/USA 2010-2013 70 cm x 110 cm. (28 in. x 43 in.) Edition 6 + 2 a.p. 100 cm x 150 cm. Edition 3 + 1 a.p. Archival ink cotton paper (archival pigment print)...

In this self portrait, Savannah Spirit turns the tradition of black and white female portraiture back on itself. The muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes th...

Savannah Spirit Shadow of a Doubt 24 x 24 inches Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition 2 of 5 Signed by artist Latest press ARTSY...

In this self portrait, Savannah Spirit turns the tradition of black and white female portraiture back on itself. The muse is the artist, and the lens is her own. Spirit believes th...

Savannah Spirit Reach 24 x 24 inches Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition 1 of 5 Signed by artist Latest press ARTSY: May 28, 2019: The Photographers Fighting In...

Savannah Spirit We The Nipple 30 x 30 inches Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition of 5 Signed by artist Erotica to save our souls. Latest press ARTSY: May 28, 2019: The Photographers Fighting Instagram’s Censorship of Nude Bodies, by Kelsey Ables. First artist featured: Savannah Spirit. In this self portrait, Savannah Spirit turns the tradition of black and white female portraiture back on itself. The muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Her artwork asserts that a woman is her own muse. Through her artistic, social and curatorial projects, Spirit also takes on technology and social media censors, who assume that the unclothed body of a human—especially a female human—is by definition, pornography, in need of control. Press FORBES: Savannah Spirit Wants to Trigger Your Trump VICE: Erotic Art Fights Trump with Scenes of Female Pleasure BULLETT: The Art Show Fighting Fascism with Erotica HUFFINGTON POST: Artists Are Resisting Trump's Misogyny with Erotic Art DAZED: The Erotic Show Taking on Donald Trump Internal: Savannah Spirit, Black and White Photography, Black and White Nude...

Savannah Spirit We The Nipple 30 x 30 inches Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition 1 of 5 Signed by artist Latest press ARTSY: May 28, 2019: The Photographers Fighting Instagram’s Censorship of Nude Bodies, by Kelsey Ables. First artist featured: Savannah Spirit. In this self portrait, Savannah Spirit turns the tradition of black and white female portraiture back on itself. The muse is the artist, and the gaze is her own. Spirit believes that an image of a woman's body should not be viewed through a purely sexual lens. Her artwork asserts that a woman is her own muse. Through her artistic, social and curatorial projects, Spirit also takes on technology and social media censors, who assume that the unclothed body of a human—especially a female human—is by definition, pornography, in need of control. Press FORBES: Savannah Spirit Wants to Trigger Your Trump VICE: Erotic Art Fights Trump with Scenes of Female Pleasure BULLETT: The Art Show Fighting Fascism with Erotica HUFFINGTON POST: Artists Are Resisting Trump's Misogyny with Erotic Art DAZED: The Erotic Show Taking on Donald Trump Erotica to save our souls. Internal: Savannah Spirit, Black and White Photography, Black and White Nude...

Archival pigment print on Hahnemühle Photo Rag. Edition 1/3. "We are unique beauty, we are strong, we are equal, we are body-positive, we are elegant, we are powerful, we are vulnerable. We are our own muses." Exhibition History: Woman March 31st – May 1st, 2018 Undercurrent Projects...

Press FORBES: Savannah Spirit Wants to Trigger Your Trump VICE: Erotic Art Fights Trump with Scenes of Female Pleasure BULLETT: The Art Show Fighting Fascism with Erotica HUFFINGTON...

In this rich self portrait, Savannah Spirit takes the tradition of black and white female nude photography, and turns the gaze ...

This 2009 photograph by legend photographer, John Stoddart depicts “The Swan with Leda.” It was inspired from the mythology of the Greek story of Leda and the Swan, when the God Zeus...

'Untitled' 2015 - Edition of 10 plus 2 Artist Proofs, 21.5 x 27cm. Archival Print, based on an 8x10" Polaroid Negative Scanning. Signed, embossed stamp and artist certificate. Not mounted. Short Bio: Xulong Zhang has been engaged in fashion portrait photography for 30 years and loves the Polaroid medium and began to working with Polaroid photography in 2000. He traveled to 34 countries for his Polaroid projects.. Vita: 1999 Has won the title “Ten Elites” in the 3rd China Portrait Photography. 2000 Named the World Chinese Artist, known as “The Prince of Album” 2001 September, CCTV special report on “Zhang Xulong’s Body Art Photography” gained strong feedback from the community. 2002 January, published “Strategies for Commercial Portrait Photograph” by Zhejiang Photography Publishing. 2002 February, launched the concept of “Tang Yun” and greatly accepted by the market. His idea has spread across whole China’s photography industry. 2002 July, launched the concept of “Picasso’s scene backdrop” for kids photography and shocking the whole industry. 2002 August, published “Ms.Tang’s Body Art Portrait Album”, the first female body photography in China, by People’s Arts Publishing 2002 September, a personal exhibition entitled “seeing memory” in the ancient city of Shanxi Province, the 2nd session of the Pingyao International Photography Festival. In December of 2002, he was invited to give lectures in Malaysia and auction off the “Fruitful Achievements” exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, donating all money to the Kuala Lumpur Charitable aid for nursing homes and orphanages, won the "goodwill ambassador" title of honor in Kuala Lumpur. 2003 February-March, held the exhibition of “White Valentines” at Beijing International Trade and Exhibition Centre. December 2003, pioneered the new concept of "Royal Wedding", and completed the album of “Invasion 2004” wedding photography books published by Jilin art press. In December 2003 was awarded the 2003 annual contribution of the Chinese human body photography. 2003 Published “China Portrait Culture”. 2004 January, published Body Art & Portrait album “Chun Hua Qiu Shi”. 2004 March, held the exhibition of “Body Art & Portrait photography” in Chengdu. 2004 May, featured on a special report of “Match En China” in Paris. 2004 September, Pingyao international photography festival held entitled "the ambiguity of ancient legacy" xu-long Zhang body art exhibition 2005 August. 2005 August, accept the German star weekly "Der Stern" special report of “China nude” photography...

"WH2" Photography 48" x 84" inch Edition 1/6 by Giuliano Bekor From WILD HORSES series Archival exhibition Giclee Baryta print, Coated and mounted on dibond Custom frame Roma, 2...

'Untitled' - 2013, Edition of 10 plus 2 Artist Proofs. Archival Print, based on a Polaroid 665, 27x21.5cm. Signed, embossed stamp and artist certificate. Not mounted. Xulong Zhang Short Bio: He has been engaged in fashion portrait photography for 30 years and loves Polaroid photography. In 2000, he began to develop Polaroid photography and traveled to 34 countries for photography. Vita: 1999 Has won the title “Ten Elites” in the 3rd China Portrait Photography...

This 2009 photograph by legend photographer, John Stoddart depicts “The Swan with Leda.” It was inspired from the mythology of the Greek story of Leda and the Swan, when the God Zeus...

Vintage 50's Barbie with vintage accessories and set. Narrative depicts title - the end of the affair. Metallic print produced on metal. Black and white Photography. Ltd Ed.

Vintage 50's Barbie with vintage accessories and set. Narrative depicts title - the end of the affair. Metallic print produced on metal. Black and white Photography. Ltd Ed.

Vintage 50's Barbie with vintage accessories and set. Narrative depicts title - the end of the affair. Metallic print produced on metal. Black and white Photography. Ltd Ed.

Face mounted Plexi. Aluminum Braced. Archival Print. Humorous, conceptual subject matter. ABOUT THE ARTIST Marco studied fine art at Pratt Institute and the Art Students League in New York. New York Times photography critic Gene Thornton called Marco “a Minimalist, whose images are sensual, whimsical, often surreal, always strong, and deceptively simple.” “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Phil Marco on a number of my films. Phil is a man of extraordinary talents. It seems that his passion is to take an everyday object or event, and show it in an entirely new and exciting way.” Martin Scorsese. Phil’s work is represented in MOMA, The Museum of the Moving Image, and The George Eastman Museum of Photography. His first photographs were studies for his paintings, before he launched a career in print advertising. He eventually became a Director / DP for film and television for a vast base of national and international clients with his wife Patricia as Partner and Producer. In the 1980’s and 90’s Phil was the go to person for Special Effects in Television and Cinema, also best known for his graphic conceptual still lives, and his consummate mastery of lighting, and design. He’s won many awards for his work, including numerous Cannes Lions, Cleo’s, a Grammy for his print work on the legendary “Tommy the...

Invacuo Project #18, 2016 by Koray Erkaya From the series of Invacuo Project Hahnemühle Photo Matt Fibre Duo 210 Image size: 16 in. H x 24 in. W (40 cm H x 24 cm W) Edition of 10 Work is also available framed at an additional cost. All sizes signed, titled, dated, and numbered on artist label verso All Prices are quoted as "initial price". Please note that prices and availability may change due to current sales. _____________________ JAZZ AND GAS Joyful humour characteristic of the pro-democracy environmentalist Gezi Park protests in June 2013. People of all ages, students, writers, artists, actors, musicians, LGBT activists, Anti-Capitalist Muslims, Marxists, Anarchists, Kurdish and Turkish nationalists were peacefully together in the heart of modern Istanbul: Taksim Square. Then the police attacked with tear gas and their usual equipment. But if they use uneven brutal force, then we use uneven intelligence and creativity: “We are fair: Their gas is fresh air.” Such sarcastic slogans multiplied echoing the positive, hopeful, unyielding and determined character of the our jazz like plural harmony. If Sultanahmet Square is the heart of Classical Istanbul with its Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Taksim Square represents the modern city: the central statue representing the national liberation war and the formation of the Turkish Republic, Gezi Park, Ataturk Cultural Centre, big hotels, and the historic Istiklal (Independence) Street. Eyes shed tears not only because we laughed due to high quality satirical slogans but also because of the harmful gas and the deaths of several youngsters. Numerous citizens lost an eye or arm. Thanks to international media coverage, the inspiring Gezi Park resistance (or “June Movement”) in Turkey drew attention all over the world -while the pro-government media kept silent. Whether on purpose or not, tear gas –and its canisters at close range- took several lives. Don’t let anybody fool you: Tear gas may kill. And it did. Though “as a nation” we had been used to gas in previous demonstrations, one point was unique: The whole city was gassed. Babies, old people and citizens with asthma suffered in their homes. Before the police attack, maybe most of the young protesters were “merely” environmentalists without a major political orientation. Tear gas brutality transformed most of them into political activists. Since that June, our lungs, souls and future have been full of that gas. Tear gas has been used not only in Turkey but in many other countries as well –since the 1990s. We tend to think that “Every soul shall taste it,” –sounding like a statement from a holy book. The situation is unacceptable: A child on the way to get bread for breakfast may die –in fact be killed by the police using tear gas without proper concern and care. Tear gas is a chemical weapon. It’s vital to comprehend that. The marketing is well-phrased but misleading: “Made from fruit and vegetables, wholly organic.” But when it is used at close range, its metal canister becomes a bullet. Fifty years ago, in late 1960s, 90 countries signed a petition against the usage of tear gas. Our country signed the 1997 Convention on Chemical Weapons, which states that tear gas is considered to be a chemical weapon when it is used in closed places, at close range or in a crowd. Despite this, it has been used time and again in Brasil, Chile, Egypt, Germany, Gaza, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Panama, the Philippines, South Korea, UK, USA, and Vietnam. The Association of Turkish Medical Doctors and the Initiative Against Tear Gas have been working and reacting diligently on this issue. “But the label says it’s harmless,” say some. But the firms that produce gas bombs put labels according to the demands of governments. Are you Shocked? Global trade has priority over humanitarian concern. But why this introduction? Don’t we all know all these things? We certainly do, but the “agenda” changes so fast that our knowledge does not find time to unite with our action in order to change the ongoing chain of events. Enter arts. With the mission of contributing to collective memory, Artist Koray Erkaya creatively documents experience. In his new photographic art series, Erkaya revolts against individual and social de-sensitivisation. In order to address the memory and to increase awareness, he uses “gas” against everyone –without discrimination. He tests his models with gas in the specifically prepared labyrinth made of mirrors. But of course, the gas he uses is not one of the types of tear gas labeled OC, CS or CN. In any case, the violence the people suffer is not limited to the content of the gas. When he started his voyage to display the violence, loneliness, nakedness, helplessness, spiritual and physical isolation of women, children, gays, transsexuals -all the humiliated people under some form of gas, Erkaya began working with models from various nations in Istanbul. Now he is on his way to show that this issue is a problem for all who live on the same planet. When we see ourselves in the eyes of the models in the mirrors...

Savannah Spirit Staying Abreast 31 x 24 inches Signed by artist In this self portrait, Savannah Spirit turns the tradition of black and white female portraiture back on itself. The ...

Vintage 50's Barbie with vintage accessories and set. Narrative depicts title - the end of the affair. Metallic print produced on metal. Black and white Photography. Ltd Ed.

Invacuo Project #19, 2016 by Koray Erkaya From the series of Invacuo Project Hahnemühle Photo Matt Fibre Duo 210 Image size: 16 in. H x 24 in. W (40 cm H x 24 cm W) Edition of 10 Work is also available framed at an additional cost. All sizes signed, titled, dated, and numbered on artist label verso All Prices are quoted as "initial price". Please note that prices and availability may change due to current sales. _____________________ JAZZ AND GAS Joyful humour characteristic of the pro-democracy environmentalist Gezi Park protests in June 2013. People of all ages, students, writers, artists, actors, musicians, LGBT activists, Anti-Capitalist Muslims, Marxists, Anarchists, Kurdish and Turkish nationalists were peacefully together in the heart of modern Istanbul: Taksim Square. Then the police attacked with tear gas and their usual equipment. But if they use uneven brutal force, then we use uneven intelligence and creativity: “We are fair: Their gas is fresh air.” Such sarcastic slogans multiplied echoing the positive, hopeful, unyielding and determined character of the our jazz like plural harmony. If Sultanahmet Square is the heart of Classical Istanbul with its Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, Taksim Square represents the modern city: the central statue representing the national liberation war and the formation of the Turkish Republic, Gezi Park, Ataturk Cultural Centre, big hotels, and the historic Istiklal (Independence) Street. Eyes shed tears not only because we laughed due to high quality satirical slogans but also because of the harmful gas and the deaths of several youngsters. Numerous citizens lost an eye or arm. Thanks to international media coverage, the inspiring Gezi Park resistance (or “June Movement”) in Turkey drew attention all over the world -while the pro-government media kept silent. Whether on purpose or not, tear gas –and its canisters at close range- took several lives. Don’t let anybody fool you: Tear gas may kill. And it did. Though “as a nation” we had been used to gas in previous demonstrations, one point was unique: The whole city was gassed. Babies, old people and citizens with asthma suffered in their homes. Before the police attack, maybe most of the young protesters were “merely” environmentalists without a major political orientation. Tear gas brutality transformed most of them into political activists. Since that June, our lungs, souls and future have been full of that gas. Tear gas has been used not only in Turkey but in many other countries as well –since the 1990s. We tend to think that “Every soul shall taste it,” –sounding like a statement from a holy book. The situation is unacceptable: A child on the way to get bread for breakfast may die –in fact be killed by the police using tear gas without proper concern and care. Tear gas is a chemical weapon. It’s vital to comprehend that. The marketing is well-phrased but misleading: “Made from fruit and vegetables, wholly organic.” But when it is used at close range, its metal canister becomes a bullet. Fifty years ago, in late 1960s, 90 countries signed a petition against the usage of tear gas. Our country signed the 1997 Convention on Chemical Weapons, which states that tear gas is considered to be a chemical weapon when it is used in closed places, at close range or in a crowd. Despite this, it has been used time and again in Brasil, Chile, Egypt, Germany, Gaza, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Panama, the Philippines, South Korea, UK, USA, and Vietnam. The Association of Turkish Medical Doctors and the Initiative Against Tear Gas have been working and reacting diligently on this issue. “But the label says it’s harmless,” say some. But the firms that produce gas bombs put labels according to the demands of governments. Are you Shocked? Global trade has priority over humanitarian concern. But why this introduction? Don’t we all know all these things? We certainly do, but the “agenda” changes so fast that our knowledge does not find time to unite with our action in order to change the ongoing chain of events. Enter arts. With the mission of contributing to collective memory, Artist Koray Erkaya creatively documents experience. In his new photographic art series, Erkaya revolts against individual and social de-sensitivisation. In order to address the memory and to increase awareness, he uses “gas” against everyone –without discrimination. He tests his models with gas in the specifically prepared labyrinth made of mirrors. But of course, the gas he uses is not one of the types of tear gas labeled OC, CS or CN. In any case, the violence the people suffer is not limited to the content of the gas. When he started his voyage to display the violence, loneliness, nakedness, helplessness, spiritual and physical isolation of women, children, gays, transsexuals -all the humiliated people under some form of gas, Erkaya began working with models from various nations in Istanbul. Now he is on his way to show that this issue is a problem for all who live on the same planet. When we see ourselves in the eyes of the models in the mirrors...

Signed, titled, and dated. Gelatin silver print 20 x 16 in.

Jennifer Greenburg challenges social norms and the nature of vernacular photographs in her series Revising History. Interjecting herself in mid-century images from the 1940’s – 60’s,...

Jennifer Greenburg challenges social norms and the nature of vernacular photographs in her series Revising History. Interjecting herself in mid-century images from the 1940’s – 60’s,...