LISA DIMONDSTEIN
The Space In Between
ARTIST STATEMENT:
These five images are of the ‘St Helena Chapel of Ease’ in South Carolina. Built in 1740, it was destroyed by a forest fire after the Civil War in 1886.
There are many layers of the space between: the physicality of the ruins, the interplay of shadow and light, the walls being made of tabby construction (seashells and plaster layered together), the local lore that the ruins are haunted, and the space between time and history.
Photographing this in infrared gives it even more a sense of the essence of being haunted and creates an ethereal feeling. Infrared photography is a way of creating images using invisible infrared light, thereby making the invisible visible.
When I saw the chapel I thought what a wonderful name, ‘Chapel of Ease’. After photographing the ruins I explored the history. I realized how easy it is to be fooled. This chapel was built for plantation owners, overseers and their families. The history of those that built and used this chapel are of those that enslaved other human beings. The space between is also one of the current reality of the treatment of African Americans with the rhetoric and lie that we are all equal.
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ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Photographing the natural world, for me, is a contemplative process. I am drawn into patterns. reflections, form and light and while I'm photographing time disappears.
Through my fine art photography I want to capture a sense of place that may not be literal but holds the feeling or essence of what I'm seeing or experiencing. I'm drawn to a sense of movement and fluidity in images and work with montages, movement, multiple exposures and infrared as tools to capture a moment in time.
In 2003, following a life long interest in photography I attended the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Montana for a 3 month intensive program. I have studied with and been inspired by many fine art photographers including Eddie Soloway, Elizabeth Opalenik and Freeman Patterson.
You can see more of Lisa’s work - here.
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All artwork is available for sale.
For pricing information contact
Lisa Dimondstein:
lisadimondstein@me.com