Project: Pictures for Life

New Picture Gallery

2005-12-29T19:17:00.000+02:00

A new gallery, which exhibits the majority of my work has been updated and redesigned. I will be adding new images on a regular basis.

The gallery is called: Picturing People - by Gregor Rohrig, click here to have a first peek!

A new project has taken form

2005-11-17T23:42:00.000+02:00

The money raised through my exhibition and the sales of the images has found itself a worthwhile cause. I have called it Project: Your Snaps / iisnaps zam (xhosa).

FujiFilm sponsored me 50 disposable cameras in September which I will utilize to teach the people of the Grahamstown community to use effectively. This project will last about 8 months and requires me to travel into the location weekly and teach children and elders how to use the cameras, however giving them entire freedom on what they perceive as important to document.

All film will then be processed and printed in Johannesburg by B&H PhotoDigital and handed back to the community members. Printing, processing, mounting and framing costs will be covered by the money raised through my previous Project: Pictures for Life . With this new initiative I have integrated my passion and am making it accessible to the people in the location. With this I also hope to raise some community upliftment and create some enthusiasm/motivation, teaching people a skill which they could maybe adopt for a future cause.

I am also busy integrating Dutch multimedia and photographic artists into this project, with whom in collaboration we could produce ‘glocalized’ images which could ultimately be exhibited overseas and locally.

Thanks to all those who have participated thus far in my project, it has really been worth it and will demonstrate and affect public development and community upliftment.

Gerhard Schoeman ‘s critique without meaning

2005-09-29T12:50:00.000+02:00

In the latest issue of art southafrica Gerhard Schoeman has made and attempt to review my exhibition 'Project: Pictures for Life'.

Missing the exhibitions (and the project itself) point totally, Schoeman explores an image which contains self-reflective elements. An Honest Image (not Picture as stated by Schoeman) seems to have captured his attention, however he critiques the rest of the exhibited images as being “naively realist conception[s] of representation” and that these have been reduced to “sentimental, picturesque objects”. Schoeman also defines these photographs of being “static” in comparison to other contemporary photographers. He furthermore explains how the photographer “attempt[s] at honestly documenting his subjects”.

It seems that Schoeman clearly misapprehended the idea behind the exhibition and the nature of the images presented. It was clearly advertised and presented, before and during (and even after) that this exhibition was a project in conjunction with the Centre for Social Development, a project which aimed to stimulate community development through the arts, one which could generate profit in order to aid such development.

Schoeman’s critique does not mention this at all yet it seems to reflect his personal studious ideal of fine art photography – and these images were never meant to be placed into such a category. On the contrary, the images are reflective of a variety of emotions produced by those who are aided with development projects. The series of images form part of the genre of activism and development and not fine art. So Schoeman’s interpretation, which is ultimately one that reveals his lack of self-reflectivity, is inappropriate and unsubstantial. His critique aims at the photography and how it has not satisfied his personal connection and understanding of the art.

This ultimately questions criticisms in general. They can be very valid and constructive [or deconstructive as in this case] yet should adhere to some sort of quality and content control. A solid criticism should ultimately relate to the idea of what has been criticised and not be an arbitrary rant which reflects an individual’s lack of attention to detail and deficiency of comprehension about the subject matter.

With this in mind I am glad that Schoeman has created some sort of publicity through this review, yet am afraid that he stumbled into a puddle of misconception and shallow critique.

Finding exposure, slowly but surely

2005-09-18T01:28:00.000+02:00

I just stumbled across this article on one of South Africa's leading information gateways.
www.safrica.info coveres a large spectrum of information about South Africa and made a brief mention about the exhibition during this years National Arts Festival.

Additionally, the same article has been posted on artsmart: arts and news from kwazulu-natal
and on the discovering SA website.

I have been browsing around and am finding more and more info about the exhibition, it is a really exciting feeling!

Romantic Gesture

2005-08-12T01:33:00.000+02:00

My latest pic is titles "Romantic Gesture" and incorporates a fairly bold and striking pose of the crossed arms (Orlando Pirates Sign) and a poster of two kids kissing inocently...I hope you enjoy this one!

Thought provoking question

2005-07-07T12:36:00.000+02:00

This morning Tom Eaton, Mail&Guardians’ humorous and insightful columnist, launched his book "Twelve rows from the back" at Wordfest. Whilst waiting for a SAfm interview afterwards he strolled through my exhibition and asked a thought provoking question after I shared some insight into my work with him. “If you had a magic wand, what would you ultimately like to do?” …and I replied: “doing this as a living, (re) presenting peoples lives and creating awareness through visual documentary!”

Doing this with still or moving photography is not definite, a combination of both is always possible, but this was certainly a question that has sparked ideas and interests…

Inspiring the young

2005-07-07T09:06:00.000+02:00

©Gregor Röhrig

Megan Anderson, a very young and enthusiatic painter asked if she could use this image to re-paint it for a school project.

Maybe Megan will leave me a short comment online and even show me the end product some time ;)

"Girl Power" - SFX create much attention

2005-07-05T11:33:00.000+02:00

©Gregor Röhrig

These images have captured the audience as the red satuaration effect has proven to be very powerful. I have created this mini-slideshow to show a short overview of the pics.

I discussed the trilogy during an interview for the National Arts Festival Website.

And another poem gives birth from one if my images

2005-07-04T16:35:00.000+02:00

Selwyn Milborrow wrote another poem on another image presented during the exhibition. It is an image showing a close-up of a childs' bare foot soles. We have displayed these newly written poems next to the images...

©Gregor Röhrig

child of the soil

fall upon your knees
with the soil’s warmth
underneath

for i can only hope
you won’t see the devastation
of…

when you wake
from your slumber
from playing
or
are you praying

Picture of the Day

2005-07-03T20:40:00.000+02:00

This picture seemed to have captured the Sunday audience. I have various potential orders for it and was even approached by Selwyn Milborrow, Eastern Cape poet, who wrote a poem about it.

I am glad that people are taking these pictures seriously and to heart and respond to them like Selwyn did...the poem will here:

©Gregor Röhrig

eclipse

(a poem without pretence)

you with sunblock in your eyes –
are you the moon poets write about
an orphan from africa
or just a child abused
in corners not spoken of

are you the tree that lost
it’s leaves to autumn’s
penetrating hands

maybe you are just a child
carrying the beauty of us
in you

how i wish i could tell
you of the love
i carry for you, child
with the weight of words
in your silenced voice

A busy, but successful day!

2005-07-03T20:20:00.000+02:00

...Sunday, and it was very busy at the exhibition. Have made some lovely contacts and chatted to many viewers. The Guestbook is starting to take shape at last, thanks to all who have offered their time to come and visit the exhibition!!!

Pics of the Laucnh

2005-07-03T04:00:00.000+02:00

1.Ingrid Andersen reads the poetry which are displayed next to the exhibited images.
2. Thats me giving my speech, holding tight to podium :)
3. Di Hornby introduces me with a really wonderful speech - thanks Di!
4. I approached Di about a year ago about this project - now we have our first exhibition...looking forward to future projects...

Interview on SA FM

2005-07-02T23:13:00.000+02:00

This evening I was live on Air on SA FM....it was a great feeling being on national Radio and spreading the word of my project and its aims...a big thank you to SA FM for inviting to this interview!

I will have a copy of the inteview online as soon as I get a copy sent fron SABC...

The Launch

2005-07-02T22:00:00.000+02:00

The exhibitions launch was held today in Eden Grove at the launch pad. I was glad to see so many people come and listen to the opening speeches of Di, myself, and the reading out of East Grahamstown poetry by Ingrid.
I will post pics asap.

I also got various exposure today, from:

CUE Newspaper
Word Stock Newspaper
Rhodes Sudent Zone News
SA fm

Today's favourite Picture

2005-07-02T18:11:00.000+02:00

It seems like the smiling old man was a winner for the day. I have had many people responding to the man's beautiful/grateful smile. The picture is titled: "Spiritual Tunes 2"

©Gregor Röhrig

Coffee break and blogging time...

2005-07-02T11:40:00.000+02:00

Eden Grove offers wireless internet access, so during my coffee breaks I can update this blog, on site...

Exhibition build-up

2005-07-01T12:19:00.000+02:00

...the boards have been delivered, pics and poetry are up...waiting for the audience..

Interview with Rhodes New Media Lab

2005-06-30T17:36:00.000+02:00

I'd like to thank the Rhodes New Media lab for this exposure...I sound a bit nervous but its great stuff!

Click here to view the Interview.

Project: Pictures for Life..some background info

2005-06-25T21:53:00.000+02:00

In order to generate additional income for the communities which the Centre for Social Development (CSD) works alongside with, I have initated this project which I have named:
Project: Pictures for Life.

The aim of this project is to channel profit or financial support, initiated by these photographs, back to the Grahamstown community, aiding further development projects. My images reflect and explain certain moments in people’s lives and the focuse on the development projects initiated by the Centre for Social Development.

Ultimately, this project is my way of giving something back to the community, in return for providing insight into their lives and the initiatives of which they are a part.

In further collaboration, B&H Photo Digital support the high quality printing of the photographs. Each print is limited to be reproduced 28 times as a 10x15" print.

If you would like to encourage others to support this initiative by ordering photographs, please contact me.

Venue of Exhibition: Eden Grove

2005-06-25T21:37:00.000+02:00

Eden Grove Centre is a modern double storey venue, which is ideally suited for conferences. It houses five modern fully air-conditioned and state-or-the-art lecture theatres. It boasts a delightful open-plan and spacious foyer/concourse area, perfect for conference displays and/or exhibitions, and for hosting special teas, lunches and cocktail parties.

P.O. Box 94 / Eden Grove, Lucas Avenue
Grahamstown 6140 South Africa

The exact location of the exhibition has not been finalised yet...

Pics: Obie Oberholzer

Up to date coverage

2005-06-24T12:11:00.000+02:00

This blog will cover my exhibition during the National Arts Festival.
I will show my images which are being exhibited and comment on how things are going here...