At home with Gregory Colbert
Friday, March 11th, 2005
The New York Times “Home and Garden” section has a piece: Attuned to the Songs of Elephants and Old Brick which is a “casual” about the artist Gregory Colbert, the artist behind Ashes and Snow. Note in the article how many famous folks were at that opening (besides Anne and me of course).
Source: Gary Sharp
apartment therapy has a nice slide show of the opening I was at: Gregory Colbert at The Nomadic Museum.
Hi,
The photos have moved me. It has given me light within. Is there anyway of getting posters?
Pat, I got a book at the museum and if you explore the site you can buy books and maybe posters online. I’m pretty sure I saw posters there.
I have been looking all over for a schedule of where the Nomadic Show will be traveling. It is in New York now but what are the dates of the other locations?
I just scoured all the sites I could and found nothing. I know it’s going to Santa Monica next and will be in New York only a little while longer. I also know it is going around the world, maybe Tokyo after Santa Monica.
I know I saw a travel schedule somewhere but where I’m not sure. Sorry. You might try emailing the publicity person for Ashes and Snow, I’m sure they’ll know.
My family and I went to the exhibit yesterday and we jut loved it! I’m planning on introducing my elementary school art clases to his work. How is Gregory Colbert’s last name pronounced? Is it colbert or Colber(with the t silent)? Thank you for your help.
Ginger: “Co bear”
I got it from a very reliable source!
How can i contact Gregory Colbert? His art touches to the heart of the human nature connection - that s so necessary for us to nurture
He lives in New York but travels quite a bit. I’d say visit his web site and contact him through his publicist.
Saw Colbert’s exhibit in Venice in 2002 while my husband and I were on our honeymoon. We carried a poster around with us and brought it back to the U.S. from boat taxi, to train, to plane…and car. He does beautiful work and not only touches us, our framed print reminds us of that special time in our lives. It hangs on our wall now. Wish to be in NY to see more. Hope to see him in California next? Brilliant artist.
Blythe, I agree, his work is amazing. I’ll try to see the show again in Santa Monica when it’s there.
I can’t find the schedule and am ready to fly off to see this amazing exhibit. Where is it now, California?
Eth: I’m not sure when it’s opening in Santa Monica but that’s its next stop. Santa Monica is in LA, on the coast.
can you give me info as to where exactly Colbert is going after new york - dates and places. Is he coming to canada at all as he is canadian born isnt he?
Sue: I have no idea about Canada, I just know the show is going to open in LA/Santa Monica later this summer and if memory serves, Japan after that. Seems like it’s headed around the world. I don’t know about Canada.
Has the exhibit reached southern california yet? i.e. santa monica? long beach?
The Ashes and Snow photography exhibition will be in Los Angeles from December 4, 2005 to February 28, 2006 at the Santa Monica Pier. For more info: contact@ashesandsnow.net
Thank you Richard for the update on the Ashes and Snow show.
Of course, my pleasure. Let us know if you get to see it and what you think.
Richard,
Ashes and Snow had an article in The Los Angeles Times Magazine, December 18, 2005. His work will be shown in Santa Monica at the Nomadic Museum. It opens on Jan. 14 to May 14, 2006.
After Santa Monica it heads to Beijing and then to other cities around the U.S. and abroad. Didn’t mention exact locations in the article.
There was a beautiful quote by the writer “”Ashes and Snow”; it is a world in which man and animal peacfully co-exist, living in each other’s dreams.” - Los Angeles Times Magazine, Dec. 18, 2005 - Kent Black. I thought this quote says it all about his work. Beautiful.
Also, for the person who was asking where to purchase the poster. You can find it on the link below. Except it is quite expensive. I guess it is better than $200,000 for an original print.
http://www.ashesandsnow.org/exhibition/
Fancie: thank you so much for this information. I’m going to attempt to catch the show (again) in LA during its run and I have a number of photographer friends who will want to see it there (they live in Northern California but I’d say this is worth a trip south for. Again, thanks for the info.
Are you catering the opening?
Went to the Santa Monica opening tonight. Wow! What an event. Thousands of L.A.’s hippest folk, many celebs, great vibes, … but must importantly a thrilling exposure of a great artist, his team and their collaberation.
Fantastic. This is great news Keith. I’m up in SF at the moment (Macworld) and flying down today. If it’s open tonight and/or tomorrow and not too crowded I’ll try to get to it with my 90 year old mother. She’d love it. But, if not, I’ll be back out this way again before it closes. Thanks for the report. I’ll bet it was mobbed and hard to see the art. I recommend getting back there at some point when it’s less crowded so you can really see the photos.
There is not many times in my life where I can say that “at this monment everything is perfect”. Yesterday I went to see the “ASHES and SNOW” at the NOMANIC MUSEUM in Santa Monica. The day was beautiful, sky so blue, and the ocean green grey, the smell of the sea and wood was great. The photographs are soul moving, and the “museum” is perfect in form at placement. A wonderful, perfect day. Everyone should see this.
Ian: wow, great. I can imagine. How crowded was it? I’d like to take my 90 year old mother there but she’d need a wheelchair. Did you see any elderly people there in chairs? Thanks for letting us know how good it is.
Just saw the show this afternoon. Left me speechelss. It is breathtaking… re: wheelchair access, no problem, take your mom, she’ll love it!
Arlene: Great, thanks for the report. We’ll go in a month or so. How were the crowds? Could you stand back from the images? Also, my mother doesn’t have a wheelchair, we were hoping they had them there and I could borrow one to push her through. I can’t wait to see this again and hopefully it will be less mobbed than it was in New York when I saw it.
The Ashes and Snow Exhibit just opened in Santa Monica, and will be here until May.
Thanks Jane, what did you think of it?
I know Greg’s family quite well here in Canada. The name is Colbert is pronounced (coalbert). Is the show not amazing!
Maggie: thanks for the heads-up on the pronounciation. The show is quite amazing and I can’t wait to see it again. LA will be my last chance for a while unless I go to Japan, where I think its headed next.
I saw ashes and Snow in NYC in April and May last year. It was amazing. I would see it again if the exhibit is nearby my hometown. It’s worht it. I bought the photography and a poster with the boy reading a book and the elephant, now framed and my guests are so fascinated by his work… Go see it if you can
Don
Don: I totally agree. I saw it in New York too and will hopefully see it again in LA next month. It’s not for everyone but it sure is for me.
I am an artist, and live on the Boardwalk in Santa Monica, where the Nomadic Museum is located. I want to congratulate you on the most gorgeous and innovative art work that I have ever seen. Everyone whom I have brought in to see the film and stills is absolutely entranced by your photography and the site. I have only one criticism.
As I said, I live on the Boardwalk about l00 yards away from the opening to the museum. I have lived here 30 years. and have seen exhibits come and go. I have seen the crowds generated and know what kinds of people come to what kinds of events.
Your event, wonderful as it is, is not being publisized enough, and so there are not as many people here as there should be on the weekdays. I teach a class to Seniors through Santa Monica City College - Emeritus College, and attempted the management to allow these seniors to see the exhibit on a Wednesday morning, 11:oo AM, before people really get here, fee free. I was denied that privilege.
I feel that Heidi Miller used specious reasoning in replying that she felt she must be consistent and only allow school children this free admission. Seniors - many of them living on bare existence of social security, have many financial obligations. The class that I teach them allows them to get out, and there is no charge. This helps to keep them healthy and stimulated.
Seniors are the ones with deep appreciation for the arts. We have reached a point where we see the ‘bullshit” of the world, and your work gives us some hope that there still is magnificence in the world somewhere. We are the ones who tell our children and grandchildren to come see a show like this. Most people I talk to who do not live here, know nothing about this project. Looking at the site, people have no idea what is inside.
So Heidi, in wanting $10.00 from each of my 20 students, in my mind, is being penny-wise and pound foolish. Because I live here, the site has inconvenienced me inordinately. I don’t have to go into all of this. The city makes money, and the citizens are inconvenienced. This is the story of the the city of Santa Monica. Building is always going on as the city staff is turning our quiet little beach town into a bustling tourist attraction, all at the expense of it’s citizens.
I think that it would be very good PR to allow seniors to attend, fee free.
I am hoping for an answer to this email. My email address is published above.
Hoping for a different approach to this matter, from you. Sincerely, Susan Weinberg, BFA, MFA Otis Art Institute. 1974
Susan: I’m sure you know that I’m not Gregory Colbert. This site has nothing to do with him or Ashes and Snow except that I saw the show in New York and posted about it. I hope you’ve also sent this letter/email/comment to the appropriate email address and maybe office address as well.
No - I guess I thought you were connected. Sorry. How do I send to Gregory?
Susan: your guess is as good as mine. How about using the email address on his web site?
Everyone MUST go to the show! I was just there last weekend, it was amazing. It is currently in Santa Monica by the Pier. I might also add that the architecture by Shigeru Ban adds to the whole experience of it. Its like going through a cathedral, but for art. GO GO GO GO! Cheers.
BTW, I am thinking of writing about Gregory Colbert for my Art History paper. I am tryign to think of some “historic” photographers that might be similar to him. Any ideas? I was thinking of the photographic explorers of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that would go to exotic lands and come back with images of like the pyramids for the world to see. Can Colbert’s work be considered similar? I mean, he has captured for us some interactions that we would normally never see. They all have a dreamy feel to it as well, Man Ray perhaps? OK, enjoy the show!
Ed: Colbert really isn’t an explorer of new lands as much as an explorer of new ideas. His talent isn’t in documentary photography as much as juxtaposing things that look beautiful and harmonious togehter.
I’d say he ranks with any artist who has broken new ground and because the ground is new, gets cheered and booed by viewers.
Just about every new art movement that ever was experienced this so take your pick.
I doubt, however, that the national geographic photographers and others who first shot the pyramids received anything but awe when they showed their work so this is a bit different from typical “explorer” stuff because “art” is mixed in. That old explorer stuff (and new explorer stuff) is in a genre we think of as more objective (even though it really isn’t) and less subjective (even though that’s what makes it great).
Colbert’s stuff seems, on the surface, more subjective and because of this, may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
I hope to see the Santa Monica show in a few weeks. I hear it’s quite a bit bigger and better than the New York show as he’s added more work, two more films, and more ambient music. Great!
LOOKING FOR SOMEONE NAMED “READ.” I saw the Colbert show on Pier 54 in NYC and went on and on in some blog somewhere about how much I loved it (actually found myself a bit weepy and just couldn’t stand having other people in what felt like a sacred space with me nudging my sides and broadcasting their opinions)…. Anyway, someone responded very nicely to my online ramblings –but his response had to do primarily with our names being the same: Read. I meant to reply to this guy, but have lost his contact info. So if you are… he… him?… If you are that guy, will you contact me again? Thanks,
Jon Read
jonread@verizon.net
Jon, I’m not him but maybe “he” will find your comment. Good luck. I hope to see the Santa Monica install of the show at the end of this month.
What the hell are you people thinking? This is the most over hyped piece of mediocrity I have ever seen. While so many artists are forging ahead with new, creative ideas, this trust fund baby with no previous body of work is wowing everyone with this unimaginative garbage. The Nomadic museum and its presentation of the work is beautiful and quite creative; but I think this is blinding people to the fact that the photography itself is lacking creative diversity and is ultimately, a “one liner”. What I mean here is this: each photo “means” the same thing (remember your semiotics from college, people). Once you understand what colbert is trying to say in the first image, you’ve got it. Then each successive picture is a repetitive variation of the first. I can’t help but imagine a huge conveyer belt, with colbert saying, “Got it, bring in the leopard, O.K. now the cheetah”. This may seem like blasphemy, since every opinion out there is favorable towards this exhibit; but please remember that most people don’t actually think anymore, and most of the viewers of this exhibit haven’t been in a museum since their 3rd grad field trip. Pay attention to what people say about it. Opinions are nearly entirely limited to, “It’s amazing” and, “The museum is awesome”. America, please turn off the televisions and use your heads a little.
Casey: I partially agree with you although I wish you’d put some of that good energy toward being mad the those same Americans with their heads stuck in front of TV voted for and continue to support Bush.
I think if you look at the body of work in the show (I only saw the one in NY so can’t comment on the larger show in Santa Monica) as a series of studio shots, like perfume ads one might see in The New Yorker with an underlying message of “the world is a beautiful place” looking at each piece as a variation on that theme works, for me at least.
I think you’re wrong about the number of people who like vs. dislike the show though; it’s been fairly controvercial since it was first set up and has received mixed reviews in the press.
I, for one, liked the thoughtfulness of the installation: the lighting, the sound, and space being part of the install and seeing elegant photography on that scale is exciting. I liked most of the images quite a lot but understand that they’re not National Geographic documentary shot nor are they trying to be.
Even if Colbert ultimately failed to do what he set out to do, what he set out to do was noble and good and worth doing. I don’t think he failed although I might agree with you that he did not succeed quite at the level of some of the hype. Thanks for the comment.
My thoughts on Ashes and Snow:
“okay where have i seen this before” the photos are a bit cliche’ and unecessary, I thought the one hour flim was much more pleasing in a “phillip glass” sort of way. This show was so unorignal, you can’t help but want to vomit as you walk down the isles of the dull awkward photos of exotic animals and people of color repesented in a primative setting, national geographic at its worst! Its mesmerizing to walk down the isles and stare at the confussion on peoples faces who are stuggling to find inspiration, this show is clearly more hype than it seems.
Kudos to Shigeru Ban for the use of rare building materials, its worth the trip just to see the architecture.
~Erica
Erica, not quite sure why “unorignal” work makes you want to vomit.
“this show is clearly more hype than it seems.” How much hype does it seem?
“national geographic at its worst!” I don’t think the artist was trying to emulate NG nor make this show about NG travel photography, not sure why you want to make that connection. Is the only place you’ve seen elephants in NG photos? Ever see any Indian art?
I think it’s fascinating that people either love this show (me, for instance) or hate it passionately (you, for instance) but I’m not sure where the hate passion is coming from. If I saw it and disliked it I’d consider it one of many things I’ve seen in my life that didn’t work for me and leave it at that. It seems that people who dislike this show want to burn Colbert on a cross. Can you explain a bit more why such passionate dislike? Thanks for the comment, by the way.
Richard,
Not much of a blogger usually, but i have really appreciated your “peaceful” moderation of this page…esp. with those who seem to so vehemently dislike this man’s work. I guess art is all perception.
Just today, I went to see the show at the Santa Monica Pier. I found it, in general, to be quite intriguing. The architecture was pretty amazing at this site and the visual display was fulfilling in that gutteral sense (you’re not really sure why or how, but it just sort of grabs at you)
Here’s where I ran into a bit of a quandry. As an artist (very broad sense of the word) myself, I have been for years, and continue to struggle, to find out both what is inspiring to me, and how to inspire others. As well, I have worked on overcoming the fear of putting those thing so personal to me, out there for others to experience, and more probably, “judge.”
At breakfast this morning, I mentioned to a friend on the phone that I was on my way to see the exhibit. The first words out of his mouth were “don’t go.” He went on to explain that he went in for ten minutes and then got his money back because it was all a scam, that the animals were beaten and trained to pose for the shots, and the whole thing is meant to further lull the tranquilized masses into appreciating something “just because someone said it was art.”
Despite all that I went, but found that I couldn’t escape his words while I was there, trying to leave them behind, and just see what I saw. Trying to force myself to see some of that marvelous inspiration to prove myself justified, or even just to spite him. I can’t really say that I did.
However, I came away from the visit with an alterior perspective on art. I don’t think the art itself is right or wrong, it just IS. And I think to avoid further boxing ourselves in as a society, we have to allow expression without inspiration. I guess everyone just expects that if you pay to go into a museum or show, that you will walk out a better, more well rounded, more inspired person. Well, I think THAT’S up to you as a person, not the artist.
I don’t know this man Colbert. I just saw some billboards around town, and this funky building down at the beach.
I thought that some of the dialogue in the film was just level with “cheezy.” (i think the visuals said what needed to be said w/o the ‘these are my letters to you…’ stuff, etc. etc.)
But whether or not he grew up with a silver spoon-filled mouth, i don’t know. Either way, I feel he has just as much right to say something as the rest of us.
And what is he saying? I only know what I “heard” there. Whether some of the animals were trained, or the exhibit itself was entirely inspiring and worth admission, i guess can be argued by those who aspire to do just that. Fine. For me, I’m working everyday to improve my flawed self, and it’s hard, but i love my flawed life, and this flawed society. And this exhibit, if nothing else, served to remind ME that that connection to nature is so precious, and so important to both our continued understanding of oursevles and our survival. So at the end…worth it.
People’s individuality and opinions are hopefully always cherished, but it seems today that it has become much easier to call on the negative than to even try to find a postive influence. So much easier to tear down someone else’s “art” than to risk disappointment, and the challenging fear that comes with setting your own thoughts and dreams out on a public platter for the world to see.
I’m sorry for the people who felt that their time was wasted in being at this exhibit. As a believer that things in our lives are happening for specific reasons, i offer a hope, that those people may set aside for a moment that “need to constantly be entertained,” and look to see if there was anything else at all that could have been gained by being there.
This cosmic life can be an amazing thing when we allow it to be.
No apologies for the long rant, but thanks for listening.
Have a great day
RC: thanks for your views on this, I appreciate the time you took to give the exhibit a chance and think about it. I believe that’s all Colbert wanted of you.
It’s urban legend that the animals were beaten. Just goes to show you how hateful some people can be.
I wonder what these same (intollerant?) people would have thought of the first Dada exhibit, or a current performance art piece, or a play or movie that was stretching the boundaries of what we call “normal?”
Colbert had a vision of what he wanted this show to be. I’m pretty sure the results are close to what his original vision was. I give him a huge amount of credit for having the vision, for rounding up the support necessary to make it happen, and for keeping it going around the world.
In this country, anyway, we have freedom of expression which means that anyone can put together a show at any scale and set it out there for people to see. One might say Disneyworld is such a show, as is Las Vegas, as is Cirque de Sole (Canadian but set up in this country). And, going to things like these is a voluntary activity. Don’t want to go, don’t go. Don’t like it, learn from it and avoid things like it (or go to more…). But, the kind of hateful reaction that people have for things they don’t like reminds me of the fact that Bill O’Reilly is the most popular talk show host on TV. I don’t watch him or much TV at all but I know who and what he is and I think the world would be a better place without him. I’m sure if he saw the show he’d want Colbert sent to Guantanamo as an enemy combatant.
Joseph McCarthy comes to mind, not just with Bill O’Reilly but also with the kind of hateful reaction to this show and Colbert. Of course, many of the people reacting are too young to remember and don’t know history.
Okay, my rant is over (for the time being). Thanks for the great comment RC and you too have a great day.
I was fortunate enough to attend a private showing of Colbert’s work this weekend, along with commentary by Gregory himself. His work is being embraced by many in the entertainment world and the head of our company was extremely moved by both art and artist (which is why we were treated to a private showing for our entertainment company).
Our showing was packed, and everyone I saw there was inspired by the still, video, and spoken messages. Gregory explained to us very passionately why and how he was able to capture the essence of the natural world.
I also had friends commenting prior to my attending on how they didn’t like the show - the main reason? “all the humans’ eyes were closed”. To that I say that there were startling moments in the videos where the eyes were opened, which added for me to the drama and effectiveness. However, from the closed eyes in the stills I immediately read “deference” to the animals and was happy to have that confirmed by Gregory himself, using that very word while speaking to us.
I have no understanding of someone who sees fit to criticize someone’s art, i can only imagine that they must have had their originality questioned or criticized somewhere down their road and have taken that as a ticket to “pay it backward”.
I was extremely moved by the solitude and peace that was invoked in me by the exhibit. Also, Gregory explained that the fabric used several times in both the exhibit itself and outside in the souvenir area was made from cloth teabags that were boiled after being “ruined” for public consumption. That was just another piece of the puzzle. Using something that wouldn’t have been used elsewhere or for its original purpose, like the traincars in the structure. Bravo, Gregory.
Terri, thanks for a wonderful report on your experience with the show. I wonder if those who find the entire show distasteful would react as harshly if they heard the artist talk about his work and were able to ask questions? One would hope that with a bit more understanding would come a bit more tolerance. Again, thanks.
Richard,
Not that I’ve spent some time pouring over your “blog” I’m intrigued. A long time Mac fanatic, yours is the first site that has intriqued me into thinking “I should be doing this as well.” Where did you get the idea for this critter and is there some introductory locations (URLs) I should look over. My site is pretty much static and to be honest, I’m not sure I could get back into it and change anything. I’m not a techie (and don’t really want to use my retirement toward that end anyway) but have a number of varied interests (the latest and most expensive — outside firearms, is digital photography — just now trying to decide between the 5D and a 1DS Mk II and keep vaciliating). I enjoy much about your orgainizational scheme and appears that you can add as you like/go. Is there some structural limit to the blog?
Thanks again. Hope to exchange a few more notes and hear back from you as you have a chance. I’m in the Redmond, WA area (home to the MS folks) and it’s a beautiful sunny day today.
Thanks,
Bob
Gregory Colbert’s work is SUBLIMELY SPIRITUAL! I am enchanted studying each visual. I live in the Chicago area and am envious of you who are able to see these true works of art up close and personal. Is there ANY chance of the exhibit coming my way? Travel is not an option for me right now. Hoping…….and remaining positive.
as ever,
Kristine