by Elin Spring
Critical Mass is an annual photographic competition sponsored by Photolucida that puts submissions before an international panel of judges which, happily, includes me. It is a joy to discover so many impassioned artists with such promising work in one venue and I want to share some remarkable work selected from the top 200 entrants I just finished reviewing for the 2020 cycle. Inevitably, themes emerge and I have highlighted a few of the most prominent as a convenient way to arrange images. I realize it can be a disservice to pigeon-hole work in this way and acknowledge that one of the reasons these images are so strong is precisely because they cross and blur boundaries.
Empowerment and protest in its many forms – from personal to political – was a popular topic. The following images stand out because rather than relying solely on signage, they measure the emotional resonance of individuals and crowds. I appreciate the way they trigger empathy, especially for those often maligned in their quest for acceptance and equity.
“Coney Laugh” from the series Coney Island – NYC’s Summer Playground by Aristide Economopoulos, courtesy of the artist.
“Hip-hop dance class, Ironwood State Prison” 2016 by Peter Merts, courtesy of the artist.
“Love is a protest” by Travon Free, courtesy of the artist.
“Tear Gassed” by Ada Trillo, courtesy of the artist.
Personal struggle in the search to find purpose, recognition or dignity for either oneself or a kinship group is always an enormously popular genre. Because it is so difficult for specific projects to make the leap into a broader, inclusive sensibility, I find these images especially compelling. In some, additional strains from the Covid-19 pandemic are evident.
“Variation 18” from the series Variations on a Theme by Ervin A. Johnson, courtesy of the artist and the Arnika Dawkins Gallery, Atlanta.
“Double Portrait” by Gary Burnley, courtesy of the artist.
“Shabbos Candles” by Hannah Altman, courtesy of the artist.
“Together less alone” by Felice Douglas, courtesy fo the artist.
“Shutters” from the series Conversations with Myself by Jo Ann Chaus, courtesy of the artist.
“Empty Frame” from the series Dark Planet by Norm Diamond, courtesy of the artist.
Imagery regarding memory is always plentiful, perhaps even more so this year. In the face of a precariously teetering society, many have delved into the past to draw strength and solace or to face a particular mystery. Memories are often stoked by emotional stories relayed to us by past generations. Potent symbols of personal and cultural recollections are reflected in the collaging, embroidery and alternative methods utilized in many of these images. They stand out for their ability to transmit the elusive nature of memories with elegant shades of meaning.
“Ancestors Speak Smooth As Cotton” by Tokie Taylor, courtesy of the artist.
“María’s Dream” from the series María by Claudia Ruiz Gustafson, courtesy of the artist.
“1st Memory” from the series Spin Club Tapestry by Astrid Reischwitz, courtesy of the artist and Gallery Kayafas, Boston.
“Shifted Narratives #8” from the series Shifted Narratives by Marina Font, courtesy of the artist and Dina Mitrani Gallery, Miami.
“For there the mystical brotherhood” from the series Into the Twilight (based on the poem written by William Butler Yeats in 1899) by Molly McCall, courtesy of the artist.
Expressions of dystopia abounded this year, accompanied by an even greater number of images devoted to connections with the natural world and a fervent desire to preserve it. These images display impressive depth of thought, detail and a sense of spirituality in their exquisite execution.
“Untitled (Petal arc)” from the series Small Animal by Amanda Tinker, courtesy of the artist.
“Suffragette Bird, Pink Pigeon (female calls)” from the series Last Calls by Alice Hargrave, courtesy of the artist.
“New Horizons” from the series Because the Sun Hath Looked Upon Me by Granville Carroll, courtesy of the artist.
“Meditation No.28” from the series Foreseeable Cache by Debe Arlook, courtesy of the artist.
Who can resist a strong sense of abstract design? Critical Mass always has some entries with this emphasis and I found these images to show particularly strong graphic composition, elevating their underlying messages with meticulous artistry and a sense of fun.
“Fragmentation” from the series The Dadabyte Theater by Brandy Trigueros, courtesy of the artist.
“Geometry 207” by Patricia Bender, courtesy of the artist.
Feature Image: “Untitled” from the series Dark Planet by Norm Diamond, courtesy of the artist.
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