Ashes and Snow Opening
Monday, March 7th, 2005
Last Thursday we went down to New York for the opening of the Gregory Colbert photography installation, Ashes and Snow. We went primarily to support my wife’s ex-husband and my friend, David Darling who composed much of the ambient music used in the installation. Even at a mobbed and noisy opening in a cavernous and cold space, the music shone through. Coupled with a movie that was showing at the far end of the space, David’s music was a perfect compliment for the large scale photographs.
Unfortunately, as soon as I entered the space I was told to put my camera away so I took few pictures and you’re better off going to see this amazing show than looking at even high quality pictures online: the space, photographs, lighting, and sound are breathtaking. The 10 foot by 4 foot (almost cinemascope scale) photos are printed on handmade Japanese paper, are sepia tone, and are coated with wax. The effect is much like a sepia version of Irving Penn platinum prints: a soft, rich, deep, and contemplative look that is in total contrast to the sharp, photos I’ve been trying to make for years.
This is not documentary photography so if you think you’re going to a National Geographic-like show, you will be disappointed; this is a successful exercise in photographing animals and people in water, in temples, and in other settings and presenting it in a such a way to build a mood, a sense of harmony, a feeling. And it works incredibly well.
The Nomadic Museum structure that houses this show was designed by architect Shigeru Ban and will travel with this show to various countries on its world tour. The building is built with large shipping containers, stacked and a “tent” with structural elements made of paper tubes. The lighting is spectacular and the ambient sound is everywhere. Unfortunately, the evening the show opened the outside temperature was 6 (fahrenheit) and because the space is only marginally heated, we froze and had to move through it fast. But, as March marches on, the space will warm up and the show will be more accessible weather-wise. The entire show breaks down into pieces that are loaded into the shipping containers which are then put on a ship and taken to the next venue.
This show is without a doubt one of the important photo exhibitions of our lifetimes and it is being underwritten by numerous big names including George Soros. I saw the show The Family of Man as a child in New York and this show is on a par with it although very different in execution. I’m going to return to New York later in the month to see it again, hopefully with fewer people in the building so I can enjoy the photography. I did splurge and buy the show catalog which is a beautifully made book of the entire show, printed on beautiful paper with similar color and depth of the actual photos.
Richard, Colbert’s exquisite photography is great, and your report described the unusual exhibition space well. Also, your excellent photographs of David and the Nomadic Museum enhanced my reading experience.
Thanks Gary, glad you found it interesting. I think this show will be on the west coast at some point and you ought to make a plan to see it. It’s the kind of work you in particular will appreciate.
The photography is indeed exquisite, I wish I had an opportunity to travel to these amazing places. Thanks for the write up!
Dmitri, this show is one of the most important and amazing photo shows I’ve ever seen. I’ve seen a lot of them. This one is killer. It is traveling to the west coast and I’d make a point of getting wherever it is to see it. The richness of this printing process is something I’ve never seen before.
This one of the awsome, soul touching, inspirational exhibits i have EVER seen
Fantastic Karen. I agree, it was amazing. Did you go recently on a warm day? We froze in that space when we went and it was terrifically crowded. I think maybe I’d better go back before it moves to Santa Monica, CA. Thanks for the comment.
I was told of this show and had to see it because of my own connection to animals. I was so moved I had tears in my eyes as I watched the film! I was touched, moved and inspired. I will go back to soak in more before it leaves NYC. A must to see to cleanse the soul and mind, especially with the hussle & bussle of city living.
Even though I have always seen amimals in a deep level and respected them on their own terms , I was surprised to see a deeper level of interaction, respect and understanding. Wow! Thank you Gregory Colbert for openeing our eyes, souls and minds!
Sherry, do you know when it’s leaving New York and when it opens in LA? I can’t seem to find the schedule online.
i’m also wondering when the show moves to LA - saw it in NY on sat., fabulous and wonderful…….. the music was incredible and added so much to the whole experience …want to recommend it to everyone i know when it arrives here - - - - - - so do you have a date and location. . . . .. i also cannot find any info online
I’ve heard that it will end in NY in June and open in LA a month later but I have no real clue. I do know that it will be in Santa Monika or south of there on a peer like in New York.
Richard, I have just been introduced to Colbert’s ‘Ashes and Snow’ on A&E’s Breakfast with the Arts. It appears that it is too late for me to see the exhibition in NY. I see from the other comments posted that the exhibit will be moved to LA. Is there a firm date on its opening? And are there other north american cities scheduled?
John: I’m not sure of the LA opening date except that it’s this summer sometime. I think it continues to head west to Japan after LA and goes around the world, but I’m not really sure. And, if/when it lands here again I’m not sure where or when.
Too bad the site is so vague on this stuff.
I do know that the foundation sponsoring this is pushing to have it go on indefinitely and continue to circle the earth and hopefully include new works as they are produced.
Good luck tracking it and if you find out more, please come back and comment here so we know. Thanks.
After long wailing and a great hipe I got finally that ’super’ show to see. The impression was in scale of the heat outside waiting line and crowded interior. Indoor light gave very little shock and movie would not invite me stay there for more than 5 minutes. I can imagine if a Pope body is dispaled there the crowd would more motivated to see the installation.What made people and critics so fascinated - I would say
it was a mix of oriental images , buddhas, nirvana, ocean, that are background of marihuana culure, mix of sepia images of lost paradise, of crowded city for resurrection of an elefant in the midst of ocean, beauty of naked boys ready to be molested by a tiger, nature. It was a kitch hundred yards long.
Wow, Jan, I take it you didn’t enjoy seeing the show. Sorry to hear it. I guess it’s not for everyone.
I loved this exhibit - I kept wondering who these people are who sit still and have big cats nuzzle up to them. What are they doing? Is it some kinda meditation exercise or something - anyone know the story behind it?
I’m sure they are all models and folks who Gregory hired for the “shoot.” This was a staged shoot, not a National Georgraphic like documentary. This is “art” photography that’s supposed to elicit a feeling and for me, it does just that. The ambient music, the lighting and the waxy, sepia-toned images at that scale did a number on me. I loved it.
I don’t know, Richard, about this using “models” thing. I felt there was more of a lifetime association with the animals because they were so comfortable with each other. Or maybe these were Shamans who had more than just an affinity with the animals. After all, these do seem to be aboriginal people who take this sort of relationship as second nature. What I found most disconcerting was watching the wild dogs attempt to “attack”, but held back by some unusual forms of movement by the human. That’s when I felt something REALLY unusual was up here. The dog “attack” at first seemed like a carefully edited “loop”, but I quickly realized it wasn’t.
I didn’t see the “dog attack” because at the opening it was so mobbed I couldn’t get close enough to the video/movie to watch for long. I can certainly see how the “staged” piece of this would put people off; it just didn’t put me off, it seemed all about making an evocative image to me and it worked in my eyes. Of course, everyone’s got different “eyes.”
please notify when and where show will be in L.A. area -thanks
Gary: I’m pretty sure it will be in Santa Monika later in the summer.
Are any photographs for sale?
Please let me know how I would go about
purchasing from the ASHES & SNOW
EXHIBIT?
THANK YOU,
PAT
Pat, I just posted about it in my weblog. You’ll have to ask Gregory Corbet and I’m told the photographs are hugely expensive.
What I’d do is buy the book of all the photographs; it’s a beautiful book, printed on wonderful paper and the color is very much like the original. It’s not cheap either but it’s a lot less than a photograph.
Oh, I’m told the show that’s in New York or just left New York is sold out and that just a few high end corporate buyers bought the entire thing. Gad. Must be Enron money or something.
When and where in Santa Monica will the show be?
I don’t know but it’ll be on a pier for sure. I’m guessing in a month or so as it has to be put on a ship and shipped through the Panama canal, then set up in SM.
I cannot wait until this show comes to So. Ca. The official website for the museum is very vague and does not mention when and where it will be next. Do you think it will be here for 3 months as well? Do you think that tickets will be available soon? Maybe it will be near Long Beach (the Queen Mary area)…
I’m sure it will be in Santa Monica and will probably remain there for 3 months like it was in New York. The rest I’m not sure of.
Hi!
I love Colbert’s photography and I’d really love to get my hands on a photo, not a poster! I checked on ashesandsnow.org and all they have are posters. Do you know of anywhere I can get a print of his work? I’ll pay pretty much anything
Thanks
Clare - I heard that the entire show sold out in New York and most prints were going for hundreds of thousands of dollars… EACH.
I suggest you buy the book, it’s very well made and each print is done on high quality paper. You could buy two copies and disassemble one to frame a few, still a lot cheaper than a 10′ x 5′ print.
Thanks. I don’t need the original prints; I’d be willing to settle for a good repro..does anyone know anyone who does that?
Clare: Listen, these prints are over 10′ across. There are no repros.
The best way to get them is in the book. The book (I have it) is printed on archival paper and each print in the show is in the book. One could easily frame one of the prints and it would be beautiful.
i am curious how much the book is?
I bought it at the New York opening and it cost $100. It might be a bit more online or on a regular show day but if you enjoy the photography the book is well worth it and the best representation of the feeling of the work I can imagine: it’s hand bound, handmade paper, exquisite print job and has the entire show in it.
Ashes and Snow: New York Exhibition Catalog
Hey Richard—
Nice blog! Between the official site and your personal insights, I am so incredibly psyched to see this show (here) in Santa Monica next week! I’ve observed the construction of this incredible mobile building. Being both an architecture buff and a fine art photographer, (as well as having a personal connection to elephants), this is an experience, I’m sure, that’ll will really touch me.
thanx,
DAK
http://www.dakshots.com
David: I’m up in San Francisco at the moment (Macworld) and will be flying down to LA on Friday but alas, will only have Saturday there, fly home on Monday. I doubt I could get into the opening on Saturday but I’d sure like to. My 90 year old mother would love to be there with all the celebs but I’d have to push her around in a wheelchair and openings are not the best way to see the art, just the artist groupies. It will undoutedly run for a while there so I’ll catch it the next time I’m in town.
I hope you enjoy the show and please come back here and give us your thoughts. Or, if you post something about it at your site, please let us know so we can link to it. Thanks.
Saw the show Saturday (opening day) in Santa Monica. It. Is. Incredible. Several hundred adults in standing room only watching what is virtually a silent (music, no dialogue) black and white film montage for an hour! Awe struck. The archtectural space is as amazing as the show.
Gary: sounds just like New York. I’m glad you liked it. I’ll be going (again) in a month or so when I’m back in LA. Personally, I loved the sepia color and texture of the photos, that added a lot to the already fabulous subject matter. I think David’s music also was a perfect match. Cool!
my daughter and I, from seattle, are trying to find out if Ashes and Snow is still in san francisco, can you tell me where we need to fly in order to see this show,
thanks for your help,
Linda Pruzan
we were told it will be in san Francisco until the end of Feb., but here it shows that it is in Santa Monica???? thanks
Linda: It has not been in SF nor will it go there. It’s in Santa Monica and will remain there for another month or so, then on to Japan. Looks like you’re flying to LAX. Is it worth it? I think so.
Good Morning Richard,
Received an email from a co-worker this morning about the exhibit and she was quite impressed. I am a “Baby Boomer” with a 12 year old and we are going to suprise him with with a vist this Saturday.
MNC: I’ll be interested in what the 12 year old thinks of the exhibit. Let us know.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the exhibit. Would love to see the show but cannot find a schedule. Any other US venues after Santa Monica?
Michelle, as far as I know, it’s going to Japan next and working its way around the world.
Hello,
any idea about an hypothetical European tour ?
Thomas: did you check their web site?
I will be in Japan between Christmas and New Years. Will the exhibit be in Tokyo then? If so, where?
antoinette: did you check their web site? I don’t know. If you find out, please come back here and post a comment with the date, there are others in Japan who track this weblog who might want to see it. Thanks.