This Coming Saturday!!!

Don't Miss It!

For More Info click HERE.

Portraits to Portraits

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"If I Really Knew Then What I Know Now"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2012

(Diptych assembled during the course of 3 years)

Save the Date!!!!

On February 17, from 5 to 7pm, Gallery 224 on Port Washington will be presenting another show for people to (really) enjoy. This time the subject and the name of the show itself its "Portraits". Being a single word that encompass so much on it, it will be really interesting to see these multiple (and extremely different) approaches to "portraiture" that will be displayed there.

Despite that I have been participating in some of the shows that Jane Suddendorf has been organizing at the gallery, this its the first time I am asked by her to be one of the three featured artists, reason that fills with a lot of pride, not only to be invited to participate, but also to know that I will be sharing "wall space" with such talented artists like Becca Mulenburg and her formidable piece "Little Faces, Big Expressions" consisting of 100 portraits and artwork by John Riepenhoff along with work from art students at the Port Washington HS. From my end, I will be presenting for the first time on a gallery space, 8 pieces from the ongoing work "Internal Exteriors" (the one above its one of them). All of this with the background solo music performed by Bob Mittnacht.

Do not miss it!!!!!

In case you are interested, I can tell you a little more about the project "Internal Exteriors":

"You do not see the world the way it is, you see the world the way you are". 
Urs Eberle (Swiss Architect, 1954-)

By following this premise, what its recorded with my camera, which already has been registered by the eye, becomes an image of myself at the same time, for hence it could be easily considered a self-portrait. At the same time by sharing these images, what they generate on the viewers, with their own opinions and ways of seeing them transcend my own portrait and becomes automatically theirs.

The diptychs you see here are part of a work titled "Internal Exteriors", which is a work in progress for very obvious reasons. They are the results of a constant search and at the same time the excuse to keep searching, as a photographer, as an artist and above all as a person. They collect moments which through time I have not only witnessed but moments that also act as a reflection of myself and how I see, feel and relate to the world surrounding me, creating a semi ludic game of internalizing exterior factors which then are exteriorized by assembling, printing and sharing them. 

Despite of looking like simple visual metaphors, the multiple interpretations about them is what makes them rich and richer the fact of sharing them. I hope you enjoy them and remember that when you look at them, what you see is yourself.

Flavio Martín Morante.

The portrait show will open on_

"Portraits"

Gallery 224

February 17th, 5 to 7pm.

224 East Main St.

Port Washington, WI 53074

visit www.gallery224.com for more info.

A Night of Good Fortune!

(click on the image to enlarge)

Professor Tien-Chiu Chen (from Taiwan) holding the "Good Fortune" and me holding the "Spring" (one of my 2 favorite seasons), during the gallery night opening at the NRCSA. (Photo_ Dawn Morante)

Last Friday was the annual Winter Gallery Night in Downtown MIlwaukee and the NRCSA was one of the many places that opened their doors to general public for such occasion. If you miss it because of the weather, I tell you that I do not blame you. I got myself stuck on the highway and was shamefully more than an hour late. If you miss it for lazyness, I tell you that you really missed a LOT. The work of UWM students just back from Italy was really nice, a perfect example on how traveling and opening to different experiences does open doors that can lead you to many different places, specially when it comes to creativity.

On the other hand, Professor Tien-Chiu Chen did demonstrate (with great patience and dedication) the intricate world of chinese calligraphy, which despite of my caffeine overdosed hand-shaking pulse, I still managed to write the two characters you see on the picture above (after couple tries).

It was a good time. I was happy too to see my pictures of "The Genovese Rhapsody" hanging on a wall for the first time and I am deeply grateful to EVERYBODY at the NRCSA for opening the door of "their house" not only to me but to everybody else, making of the Winter Gallery Night a very rich and fullfilling experience, in which I had the "good fortune" of being part of.

F. Martín Morante.

You are ALL invited!

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Untitled # 1 ( from the series "The Genovese Rhapsody")

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

How do you really make a portrait of a city?

This is a question I have been asking myself for quite a while and since the question itself grows from the mix of two of my deepest passions (photography and travel), its answer sometimes changes depending of the city itself and the connection I establish with it.

Recently in a visit to Genova an answer to that question made itself visible in the multiple corners of the city, thanks to the different layers of advertising posters covering the infinite walls and streets that move around her like a chaotically organized diagram; each poster not only talking about the different aspects of the place and its inhabitants (socially, politically, historically, musically, etc, etc), but acting too as a metaphor of the different cultural layers that compose an urb of such size and history. Once one of the main entrances to the "Old World", Genova shows us the fingerprints of human history printed in every block, door and streets like many other crossroads points between old and new worlds do. Still today, the whole area boils with the mixed kind of cultural heritage that at the same time gives it its own and unique identity. The identity of a place deeply cosmopolitan but still rooted on its european stage setting of which is part of.

Step by step and block by block I found the compositions that today you see here, and while standing in front of them I could not avoid to create in my mind a mirrored image of what it was in front of me and what was behind, where the overwhelming (but still pleasant) cacophony that covers the air with music, sounds, and voices added to the smells that float in every corner and the constant flashing of images that make you look, stop, and look again making each step a discovery, the discovery of the constant beauty of a place where people from all corners of the world has added their little piece of identity in top of each other, creating a whole and turning Genova into a massive and generous treasure. A feast for the senses.

F. Martín Morante, 2011.


As I finish details for Tuesday when I will be hanging at the NRCSA the 5 prints selected from the series "The Genovese Rhapsody", my latest body of work freshly "brought" from Genova, Italy (click HERE to see the whole series), I would like to invite you to stop by on this coming Friday to see a lot of good art during the traditional Winter Gallery Night in Milwaukee.

I'd love to see you!

Winter Gallery Night

January 20th, 2012, 5 to 9 PM

NRCSA Multicultural Consortium

The Marshall Building

207 E. Buffalo St. Suite #610

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

Thanks to Pamela Ruschman, Sarah, Joseph Cornejo and all the staff at the NRCSA, Dawn, Paula Christensen and Bob from Evald Moulding for the opportunity for this show, the unconditional support and the desire to help.

After there we are going straight to The Estate for some drinks and some jazz. Jump in if you would like it.

Don´t look too far...

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Untitled © Flavio Martín Morante_2005

Haleakala Volcano, Maui Island, Hawaii

In this "absent" winter, you won´t need to look too far to see some samples of international art, taste samples of ethnic food and listen to some global music. All you need is to be at the Grafton Arts Mill to participate and experience Global Fusion, an event organized to make you take a ride around the world without leaving town, all in two nights, ha, not bad eh?

Visit the Grafton Arts Mill on Friday February 3rd from 7 to 9pm for a free opening reception to the art show or make your reservation for only $16pp for the Global Fusion event on Saturday February 4th from 6 to 10pm.

Visit INFO for more details. DON´T MISS IT!

Dusting Relics!/ Desempolvando Reliquias!

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Untitled (from "A Train of Portraits")/ 

Sin titulo ( perteneciente a "Un Tren de Retratos")

Montevideo, Uruguay © Flavio Martín Morante_2004

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Untitled (from "Pantaleón, 60 years of Beards and Razors")/ 

Sin titulo ( perteneciente a "Pantaleón, 60 años de Barbas y Navajas")

Montevideo, Uruguay © Flavio Martín Morante_2000

The 2 pictures above belong to 2 of the documentary photo-essays I have worked that have given me so much as a person as a photographer too. Both of them were made on my hometown Montevideo in Uruguay during a period of 2-3 months each. Looking at them it reminded me of the time when I really did comprehend and believed that as some use a pen to write, I could use a camera too to write the stories I found around the corner. I still do.

Recently I have been invited by Paula Christensen to participate of Global Fusion event that will open on February ( I will post more details eventually), a project that will share different approaches to art, through a display of works made by artists from different corners of the world living in the area. I am really excited and happy about the invitation, and despite of having some other works from Uruguay of more recent times, I am going to decide for one of these photo-essays because of the personal and testimonial value they have.

It was good to get this (and the rest) of the pictures out of the folders and that is why I share them here.

If you want to see more about "A Train of Portraits", click HERE. Sadly I do not have an extended web gallery about Pantaleón (at least for now).

----------------

Las 2 fotografías que se pueden ver mas arriba pertenecen a 2 de los ensayos fotográficos documentales en los que he trabajado que me han dado muchísimo, como persona y como fotógrafo también. Ambos fueron realizados en mi ciudad natal Montevideo en Uruguay durante un periódo de 2-3 meses cada uno. Al mirarlos, me recuerdan de ese tiempo en el que realmente pude comprender y creer que así como algunos usan un lápiz para escribir, yo podía usar una cámara también para contar esas historias que encontré alrededor de la esquina. Todavía lo siento así.

Recientemente he sido invitado por Paula Christensen para participar de Global Fusion, un evento que abrirá en Febrero ( estaré subiendo mas info al respecto pronto), un proyecto que esta destinado a compartir diferentes acercamientos al arte, a través de trabajos hechos por artistas de diferentes esquinas del mundo viviendo en el área. Estoy realmente contento por la invitación, y a pesar de tener otras obras tomadas en Uruguay mas recientes, me voy a decidir por uno de estos trabajos por el valor personal y testimonial que ellos tienen.

Fue bueno sacar estas (y el resto) del sobre ayer de noche y por eso las quise compartir aquí.

Si quisieras ver mas acerca de "Un Tren de Retratos" haz click AQUI. Lamentablemente no tengo un extensa galería en la web con respecto a Pantaleón (al menos por ahora).

F.M. Morante

2012 Here We Go!!!./ 2012 Aquí Vamos!!!!

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"A Good Mix"/ "Una Buena Mezcla"

Bisbee, Arizona © Flavio Martín Morante_2011

Today a new year starts and with it my desire of taking it by assault. I have a LOT to walk and with it I have a LOT to learn yet. 

I am planning to keep doing both this year. I hope you do the same.

------------------------
Hoy comienza un nuevo año y con ello mi deseo de tomarlo por asalto. Tengo MUCHO que caminar y con ello tengo MUCHO que aprender todavía.

Estoy planeando seguir haciendo ambas cosas este año. Espero que vos también.

Martín

Cheers!!!/ Salud!!!

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"A Window to Good Memories"/ "Una Ventana a los Buenos Recuerdos"

Bisbee, Arizona © Flavio Martín Morante_2011

Its my desire to wish everybody a colorful celebration of the good things about this already past year, and the best things yet to come. Whatever its on your glass, I hope its full of the good flavors of a good life.

My best to all of you!!!!!!!!!! Happy New Year!!!!
--------
Es mi deseo el desear a todos una colorida celebración sobre las buenas cosas ocurridas durante este año que se fue , y sobre las mejores cosas aun por llegar. Lo que sea que haya en tu vaso, espero que sea lleno de los sabores buenos de una buena vida.

Lo mejor para todos ustedes!!!!!!!! Feliz Año!!!!

Flavio Martín Morante.

Closing One Book, Opening Another/ Cerrando Un Libro, Abriendo Otro.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

The finished cover for Seussical The Musical/ La tapa terminada para Seussical The Musical.

 © Flavio Martín Morante_2011

Yeahhhhhhhhh

Yesterday I finished my work for Seussical The Musical. The whole set was taken today to Hartford. Susan was finishing some "last minute props". It was a great (and fun) way to "finish the year!!!". Above you can see one of my finished "masterpieces" (ha, jokingly obviously).

---------

Siiiiiiiiiiiii

Ayer termine mi trabajo para el musical Seussical. El set entero fue transportado hoy de mañana rumbo a Hartford, excepto por algunos objetos de útileria pedidos de último momento que Susan quedo pintando. Fue una buena (y entretenida) manera de "terminar el año!!! Arriba se puede ver una de mis "obras maestras" terminadas ( ja, tono de broma obviamente).

Martín.

Photo Album.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"The First Family Picture"( from the series "Preserved")

"La Primera Foto Familiar" ( de la serie "En Conserva") 

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

To the best of my knowledge, this its the first family picture that was ever taken that include both of my sisters and my parents. All at the same time, all at the same physical place. It happened on August 1987. It was Carolina's second birthday party. Bad luck made that the pictures taken during the first year's party did not come out. The reasons?;  there was only one photographic camera (my Dad's) and the roll of film did not advance, so the first record of all of us plus the newcomer plus the memory of my sister dunking her whole hand on the cake and offering it to all of us exists only in our own memory and that of the ones there present.

Last Saturday I added this picture to my series "Preserved".

I had written a longer post about it but could not finish it without my eyes getting glossy wet. Not of sadness but of joy. I am just happy because like on that picture, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate.

----------------------

En lo mejor de mi conocimiento, esta es la primera foto familiar que haya sido tomada alguna vez donde están mis padres y ambas de mis hermanas. Todos juntos al mismo tiempo, todos juntos en el mismo lugar físico. Sucedió en Agosto de 1987. Fue la segunda fiesta de cumpleaños de Carolina. La mala suerte hizo que las fotografías tomada en la primera no salieran. La razón, había una sola cámara fotográfica ( la de mi viejo) y el rollo de film no avanzo, de manera que el registro de todos nosotros con la "recién llegada", así como la imagen de mi hermana hundiendo la mano entera en la torta ofreciéndola luego a todos nosotros, solo existe en nuestra propia memoria y la de los en ese momento presentes. 

Este Sábado sume esta imagen a mi serie "En Conserva".

Había escrito un post mucho mas largo el cual no pude terminar sin que mis ojos se hicieran vidrio. No de tristeza, sino que de alegría porque estoy realmente contento ya que como en esa foto, hay muchas razones para celebrar.

Martín

The Magic of Books!!/ La Magia de los Libros.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Seussical Stage painting.

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

I been working this week (and following) with Susan Kamholz, a talented local artist, in the painting of the stage for "Seussical The Musical", a local musical production for kids.

It has been a great pleasure, while being splattered with different paint colors seen how background, stage and props take shape.

I wanted to share this because yesterday I started working on a big prop, which will be the "book" from where someone will telling the story. Its actually the cover which I will hopefully have finished on Monday, since we did run out of some colors. While painting the book cover (images below) I started to remember things from my childhood, happy memories of several things, the books my parents bought for us when kids, the work my parents did on our birthdays decorating shapes of sea and land creatures in styrofoam, and some book character to which I still keep some type of nostalgia.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Book Cover painting in progress, before and after./ Tapa del Libro. Antes y después, aunque sin terminar todavía.

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

My point its (and I am not saying anything new I know) its that in these times of buying, buying, if there is something you want to give, give a book, and give some quality time reading it to you or others,  it will open doors and set people in good trips.

Have a good festivities season.

Martín.

-------

He estado trabajando esta semana (y la siguiente) con Susan Kamholz, talentosa artista local, pintando el escenario de Seussical The Musical, una comedia musical para niños. Ha sido un enorme placer, mientras que salpicado de pintura de distintos colores, el ver como escenario y objetos de útileria van tomando forma.

Quise compartir esto porque ayer pintaba lo que va a ser el libro desde donde la historia comienza a ser contada, en realidad la tapa del mismo, la cual espero tener terminada el lunes ya que nos quedamos sin pintura. Mientras pintaba empece a recordar cosas de mi niñez, buenos recuerdos acerca de los libros de cuentos que mis viejos nos compraban, las criaturas de espuma plast con las cuales tanto Mamá como el Viejo decoraban nuestros cumples cuando éramos chicos e incluso aquel querido personaje llamado "Petete" al cual guardo en la mas profunda nostalgia. 

El punto de todo esto es que (y no digo nada nuevo ya lo se) que en estos tiempos de comprar y comprar, si hay algo que quieras realmente dar, date o da un libro y el tiempo para leerlo o leérselo a otros, te abrirá algunas puertas y te llevará a otros lugares.

Felices Fiestas!

Martín

Come In, the Light is On!!!/ Vén y Entra, la Luz está Prendida!!

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Gallery 224, Port Washington, Wisconsin.

If you have not yet, I will highly recommend you to visit Gallery 224, the project conducted by Jane Suddendorf, which it has become a great window to local art for its high quality shows. A very good excuse to leave the Tv on this winter, and go down to Port to take a good pick at artwork that in some cases you would have to drive far more to see.

The Gallery, which is open on Fridays from 4PM to 8PM and Saturdays from 11AM to 3PM, its hosting the curated show Food for Thought: Tastes and Texts. An interesting show with food as a point of departure for many approaches, that will leave you full, but of inspiration.

Gallery 224 is located at 224 East Main Street, Port Washington, WI 53074.

Check it out!!!!

---------

Si no lo has hecho todavía, recomiendo que visites Gallery 224, el proyecto conducido por Jane Suddendorf, el cual se convertido en una gran ventana al arte local por sus muestras de gran calidad. Una buena excusa para dejar la Tv en este invierno e ir hasta Port para poder echar un vistazo a muchas piezas para las cuales tendrías que me manejar mucho mas lejos a fin de poder ver.

La Galeria, la cual se encuentra abierta los Viernes desde las 16.00 hasta las 20.00 y los Sábados desde las 11.00 hasta las 15.00, esta albergando la muestra Alimento para el Pensamiento: Gustos y Textos. Una interesante muestra que toma comida como punto de partida para múltiples acercamientos que te dejarán lleno pero de inspiración.

Gallery 224 esta ubicada en el 224 East Main Street, Port Washington, WI 53074.

No te lo pierdas!!!!

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Happy.../ Feliz...

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"Setting the Tree./ Armando el Árbol"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

Yesterday we did finally did set up the tree for this festivities. Reason why Dawn and I wanted to wish everybody a good festivities season, wishing that whatever you ask for this coming year may come true. Have a good time with family, have a good time with friends and always keep going forward.

----------

Ayer finalmente pusimos el árbol para estas festividades. Por esa razón Dawn y yo queremos desearles a todos buenas festividades, deseando que sea lo que sea hayas pedido para este año que se aproxima, se vea cumplido. Que tengas un buen tiempo con tu familia, con tus amigos y sobre todo, seguí siempre hacia adelante.

Dawn & Martín.

The Passing of Time./ El Paso del Tiempo.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"When I saw Uruguay"./ "Cuando vi Uruguay" 10:32:06 AM.

© Flavio Martín Morante_2009

I took this picture two years ago exactly. Two years too had passed since the last time I was on Uruguay back on 2007. The piece of land visible through the window its the first image I had of Uruguay that day. It is the far west corner of Montevideo, where the Santa Lucia River reaches the Rio de la Plata waters.

I was happy, I was excited, I was worry.

Sadly the welcome was not what I expected, but I knew something was up. Bad news in regards of my sister Carolina's health did hit me really hard in the face and the chest.

I was sad, I was selfish, I had hope.

Two years have passed since I took this picture. Two years. A lot (good and bad) has happen since then.

Carolina is fine as I knew she was going to be.

My sisters are fine, my family is fine.

No idea when I will see Uruguay again. But its ok.

-------------------

Tomé esta fotografía dos años atrás exactamente. Dos años habían pasado desde la última vez que había estado en Uruguay allá por el 2007. La franja de tierra que se ve a través de la ventanilla es la primera imagen que tuve de Uruguay ese día. Es la esquina oeste de Montevideo, donde el río Santa Lucia se mezcla con las aguas del Río de la Plata.

Estaba contento, estaba emocionado, estaba preocupado.

Tristemente la bienvenida no fue lo que esperaba, pero sabía que algo pasaba. Las malas noticias respecto a la salud de mi hermana Carolina me pegaron realmente con dureza en la cara y en el pecho.

Estaba triste, fui egoísta, tuve esperanza.

Dos años han pasado desde que tomé esta imagen. Dos años. Mucho (bueno y malo) ha pasado desde entonces. 

Carolina esta bien como sabía que iba a estar.

Mis hermanas están bien, mi familia esta bien.

Ni idea cuando veré Uruguay de nuevo. Esta bien así.

Invitation Acepted./ Invitación Aceptada.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Untitled # 12 ( from the series "The Genovese Rhapsody")

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

I just have received confirmation of the invitation by the NRCSA (National Registration Center for Studies Abroad) to have some of the images belonging to my recent body of work "The Genovese Rhapsody"(click HERE to see the portfolio), as part of their participation during the Gallery Night event on January 20th at the Marshall Building in Milwaukee.

Really excited about this opportunity to share my work in such venue. Thank you to the people at the NRCSA ( Sarah, Kelly, Joe and Stephen) and specially to Pamela Ruschman for her generosity.

--------------

Acabo de recibir confirmación de la invitación por parte del NRCSA ( Centro Nacional de Registro para Estudios en el Extranjero , por sus siglas en inglés) para poder tener algunas de mis imágenes pertenecientes a mi reciente cuerpo de trabajo "La Rapsodia Genovesa" (click AQUI para ver el portafolio entero), como parte de su participación durante el evento Noche de Galerías el día 20 de Enero en el edificio Marshall de Milwaukee.

Realmente contento de tener esta oportunidad de poder compartir mi trabajo en tal ocasión. Gracias a todo el equipo en el NRCSA ( Sarah, Kelly, Joe y Stephen) así como especialmente a Pamela Ruschman por su generosidad.

Preserving Memories. / Preservando Memorias.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"These images record what is there and what is not, the tangible and the intangible, the fragile and the durable, and how small things are always part of a bigger picture"

"Estas imágenes registran lo que esta ahí y lo que ya no está, lo tangible y lo intangible, lo frágil y lo duradero, y como pequeñas cosas siempre forman parte de una historia mas grande"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

The quote above written, which can also be seen on the picture, somehow stated the presentation of my work on the series "Preserved" but also, somehow represented the feeling in general given by the whole show of the COPA´s (Coalition of Photographic Arts) 5th Juried Exhibit that opened tonight at the Walkers Point Center for the Arts on Milwaukee.

It was a great night for several reasons. I have to admit that there is a sense of pride on having made the cut of 43 images out more than 450, but I think the cherry on top of the cake was to have the opportunity of listening first hand to Catherine Edelman, juror and also owner of... Catherine Edelman Gallery in Chicago (click HERE for gallery website).

During her talk about being a gallery owner and being a juror, it was possible to get some insight in what to do and not to do if you want you work to be seen or not. You can agree on several things, you can disagree on others, but at the end even if it is just and opinion belonging to one person its still valid, like the pictures hanging on all that space which are too personal opinions that are worth to share, to see, and to absorb at your own measure.

About those images I have to say that planning to go back soon to the gallery to see them in a more distended environment its on the list, but I did like a lot of what was there to the point of daring to say that more than last year.

Really had a great night.

* Thank you to the members of COPA and the Walkers Point, specially Susan Barnett and Geri Laehn for putting the show and a great catalog book, to my wife Dawn for her unconditional support and as I said before I dedicate this show and my selection into it to my "Viejo".

------------------------

La frase mas arriba escrita, la cual puede ser vista en la foto, de cierta manera declara la presentación de mi trabajo en la serie "En Conserva" pero a su vez representa también el sentimiento general dado por la totalidad de la 5ta Muestra Jurada de COPA (Coalición de las Artes Fotográficas) que abrió esta noche en el Walkers Point Center for the Arts en Milwaukee.

Fue una gran noche por varias razones. Debo admitir que uno siente un poco de orgullo en haber hecho el corte de 43 imágenes elegidas de entre mas de 450, pero creo que la cereza de la torta esta en haber tenido la oportunidad de escuchar de primera mano a Catherine Edelman, jurado y a su vez dueña de... Catherine Edelman Gallery en Chicago (hacer click AQUI para acceder a sitio web).

Durante la charla dada acerca de su manejo de una galería y de ser jurado, fue posible tener un vistazo a lo que hacer y lo que no para que tu trabajo sea visto o no. Podes estar de acuerdo con muchas cosas, podes no estarlo con otras, pero aun siendo simplemente la opinión de una sola persona todavía vale, así como todas esas fotografías colgadas de la pared, opiniones que vale la pena compartir, ver, y absorber a la medida de cada uno.

Acerca de esas imagenes, debo decir que tengo planes de ir a verlas de nuevo pronto en un ambiente un poco mas distendido, pero realmente me gusto mucho lo que vi esta noche y arriesgaría a decir que más aun que el año pasado.

Realmente una gran noche.

*Gracias a los miembros de COPA y el Walkers Point, especialmente a Susan Barnett y Geri Laehn por armar esta muestra así como un lindo libro catálogo, a mi esposa Dawn por el apoyo incondicional y como he dicho antes, dedico esta muestra y mi inclusión en la misma a mi "Viejo".

Martin :)

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Possing with the picture selected, an image that has become some sort of insignia of this series./

Posando junto a la imagen seleccionada, una foto que se ha convertido en una especie de insignia de esta serie.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

People congregated on the primary room at the Walkers Point Center for the Arts Gallery in Milwaukee./

Público congregado en la sala primaria de la galería en el Walker Point Center for the Arts en Milwaukee.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

Visitors on the secondary room of the gallery./ Visitantes en la sala secundaria de la galería. 

Go West Young Man!!!... / Ve Hacia el Oeste Joven!!!...

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"Go West " / "Ve Hacia el Oeste"

Pima County, Arizona

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

...and grow up with the country!!! (*). 

And we did. Dawn and I came back after spending several days with AK & UJ (thank you guys for having us over there sharing a part of your adventure) for the first time in the state of Arizona, a place that have fulfill pages of books through myths and historical facts about the legendary American West.

Our visit was somehow shadowed by the bad weather, which it seemed to have followed us down there from Wisconsin for the first couple of days (including a bumpy landing). Despite this we still were able to manage to have a great time. I will try to be short, since there is a lot to tell, but we did go around with measure, trying to absorb (as usual) as much as we could without getting too crazy. In that way, we had a good glimpse about the state from which I would like to highlight some of the places we saw during our time driving and walking through one of the most arid and desolated (but still beautiful) landscapes of the United States. 

A visit to Tombstone, did let us see where the ghost of Wyatt Earp still walks on the town streets; the european feeling given by the streets of Bisbee, a town that saw splendor during the peak of the copper mining times, and which today still preserves its charm by its artsy-hippie feeling being breathed while walking its streets. The Texas Canyon, where an imaginary magic hand seemed to place gigantic stones in the most interesting places; the Santa Cruz and Cochise Counties where the vast landscape makes you feel really, really small. And I could go for hours (and still missing something), but all I can say its that yes, I been to the West and yes I think I grew up a little more.

Below I leave for sharing some of my favorite pictures I took, I hope you enjoy them.

Martín :)

(*) The sentence "Go west young man and grew up with the country" has been attributed to Horace Greeley but I still found a lot of debate in regards of its origin.

--------------------

... y crece con el país!!! (*)

Y así hicimos. Dawn y yo acabamos de volver después de pasar unos días con AK & UJ ( a quienes les estamos enteramente agradecidos por tenernos por ahí) por primera vez en el estado de Arizona, un lugar que ha llenado páginas de libros a través de mitos e historias acerca del legendario American West o Oeste Americano.

Nuestra visita se vio de cierta manera sombreada por el mal tiempo, el cual parece habernos seguido hasta ahí desde Wisconsin por los primeros dos días (incluyendo un aterrizaje agitado). A pesar de ello, pudimos prevalecer y pasarlo bien. Trataré de ser corto, ya que hay mucho para contar, pero digo que dimos una buena vuelta con medida, tratando de absorber (como siempre) lo mas que pudimos sin necesidad de enloquecernos. De esa manera, pudimos tener un buen vistazo sobre el estado del cual me gustaría subrayar algunos de los lugares que vimos durante el tiempo manejando y caminando a través de uno de los mas áridos y desolados ( pero aun bellos) paisajes de los Estados Unidos.

Una visita a Tombstone nos dejo ver donde el fantasma de Wyatt Earp aun se pasea por las calles del pueblo; el aire europeo que se siente en las calles de Bisbee, un pueblo que vio tiempos de esplendor durante el tope de la minería del cobre, y el cual todavía preserva su encanto debido a su aire de pueblo hippie-artesano que se respira en sus calles. El Cañon de Texas, donde pareciera que una mano mágica imaginaria poso gigantescas rocas encima de los mas interesantes lugares; el condado de Santa Cruz y Cochise donde la inmensidad del paisaje te hace sentir realmente, realmente pequeño. Y podría ir por horas ( y aun olvidar cosas), pero puedo decir que si, fui al Oeste y creo que crecí un poco mas.

Debajo dejo algunas de mis fotos favoritas, las cuales espero te gusten.

Martín :)

(*) La frase " Vete al Oeste joven y crece con el país" ha sido atribuida a Horace Greeley pero todavía encuentro que hay mucho debate en cuanto al origen de la misma.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"Arizona Colors" / "Los Colores de Arizona"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

Picture taken outside Tombstone in the Cochise County, with the Dragoon (with double o) Mountains in the background and the Arizona state flag in the foreground.

---------

Fotografía tomada en las afueras de Tombstone en el condado de Cochise, con las montañas Dragoon (con doble o) en el fondo y la bandera del estado de Arizona en el frente.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"Chiles & Adobe"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

Chiles being sun dried at a adobe built house on Tubac, at the Santa Cruz County.

--------

Chiles siendo secados al sol en una casa de adobe en Tubac, condado de Santa Cruz.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"Ghostly Images " / "Imágenes Fantasmales"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

A metal cut-out stands in the horizon close to Sonoita, Santa Cruz County, creating a "ghostly image" which its iconic of the west.

--------

Figuras de metal recortadas en el horizonte cerca de Sonoita, Condado de Santa Cruz, creando una imagen fantasmal que es iconica del oeste.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"Simply & Delicate " / "Simple & Delicado"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

Table at the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee. This hotel opened its doors in 1904 and its considered the oldest hotel still operating in the whole state of Arizona. I swear that I did not set this table for the picture, I found it just like that and I took it because the composition it is one of those "geometrically beautiful" I like to collect.

--------

Mesa en el Copper Queen Hotel ( Hotel Reina del Cobre) en Bisbee. Este hotel abrió sus puertas en 1904 y es considerado el hotel mas antiguo todavía funcionando en todo el estado de Arizona. Juro que no arregle la mesa para la foto, la encontré así y la tome ya que la composición de la misma es una de esas "geometricamente bellas" que me gusta coleccionar.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"The American West" / " El Oeste Americano"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

The title of this picture comes from "The American West" painted on the windmill I found by luck while we were driving the Highway 82 through Chochise County.

------

El título de esta fotografía viene del "The American West" pintado en el molino de viento que encontré de suerte mientras manejabamos por la carretera 82 en el Condado de Cochise.

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"One Way " / "Un Sentido"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

Picture taken in Tucson on our way out of  the Tucson Museum of Art. Another one of those "geometrically...

------

Fotografía tomada en Tucson a nuestra salida del Museo de Arte de Tucson. Otra de esas "geometricamente...

(click on the image to enlarge./ click en la imagen para ampliar)

"Let it Rain" / "Deja que llueva"

© Flavio Martín Morante_2011

"Vasijas" in the Tumacacori Mission, close to Nogales in the Santa Cruz County. This Mission its the oldest surviving on Arizona and supposedly in the whole United States.

------

"Vasijas" en la Misión de Tumacacori, cerca de Nogales en el Condado de Santa Cruz. Esta Misión es la mas antigua de Arizona y supuestamente en todos los Estados Unidos.