American River College’s Kaneko Gallery is hosting another exhibition starting on March 24 and ending on April 18, and this time they are welcoming artist Dominick Porras to display his artistic lens.
“Silvery Synthesis” is the next exhibition title gracing the Kaneko Gallery, and the name leaves much to be anticipated for local students and art fans alike. The exhibition will feature his methodically curated story that dives into the technical qualities of photography as well as portrayals of the communities he’s worked with.
Porras describes in an interview that the name itself is reflective of “the aging process in both photography and existence” as the element of silver is an active aspect of the photography that he alters and curates. The process is not only vital to the technological aspects of his creations but the moral process that is undergone when capturing and portraying the communities he works with.
This exhibition will be made up of small and scaled works including an array of photo-sculptural pieces. Porras emphasizes the meaning behind the physical curation of the exhibition to differ depending on the individual audience, as it will allow them to decide how closely they choose to engage with the work.
He incorporates a variety of mediums used ranging from the traditional 35mm lens shots to reconstructed untraditional art-based objects. Porras curates this strategic melting pot of mediums to be reworked to create a different vision with the incorporated aesthetics.
“I am also able to re-materialize obsolete and disposed items into works that speak differently,” Porras said.
This diversity and craft of repurposing objects presents his topics and the incorporated rasquache aesthetic, through a unique and personalized viewpoint.
When it comes down to his approach in documentation, Porras says he reflects on his past work as a press cameraman and emphasizes why the opposition of his past approach with his current work is so vital in creating a non-invasive atmosphere. The practice of pointing a camera first and asking questions later is a “Western ideology” that he makes a point to steer clear of. Alternatively, he takes pride in creating communal and reciprocal relations first to build trust in his “photographic procedures.” This level of respect given to the communities documented may also translate into the artistic work presented, as there is a level of personalization in their portrayals.
Patricia Wood, director of Kaneko Gallery emphasized the importance in hosting exhibitions by local and regional community artists, as it allows students to experience the exhibition process and directly connects them to the local art scene. The experience also exposes them to different artistic mediums and presentations to inform and inspire their own work.
“Hosting exhibitions of regional artists allows students to be exposed to new ideas and creative innovations and new ways of using different materials,” Wood said.
Porras is one of these artists who will display an inspiring variety of works for ARC students to experience. His choice of presentation is the exact aspect he highlights as his message for attendees and students as he encourages them.
“To consider the element of risk-taking in presentation,” Porras said.
The unique presentation of Porras’s work is an intriguing enough aspect to visit the exhibition and experience the process for yourselves. The “Silvery Synthesis” experience will be available to audiences starting on March 24, but since it doesn’t end until April 18 there is plenty of time to catch this exhibition. Considering the meticulous care that Porras incorporates in each step of his exhibition process, it is sure to be an equally interactive and informational creative approach for all those in attendance. To learn more about Porras’s work you can follow his Instagram (@celestial_coyotl) to keep up with his latest artistic ventures.
