Share:

            In the PPC Art Gallery several works by the Cuban-born photographer Abelardo Morell, the 2012 Artist in Residence, are on display through May 5.

            Morell is most famous for his camera obscura technique, a process that transforms whole rooms into cameras, projecting the image of the surrounding area on its walls. His pieces are as much works of technology and engineering as they are works of art.

            The room is completely sealed, allowing no light to enter. A small hole is made allowing light, and the image of the surroundings to fill the room.

            “I like his technique. It’s really original,” said student Julia Aquino, Graphic Design.

            Morell also is able to project an image of the surrounding area on the ground through the use of a tent camera obscura, and has done so with the Brooklyn Bridge, Old Faithful, and a host of other landmarks and landscapes.

            “I love Pasadena,” said the artist after he spent the week of March 18 – 23 on campus. He jovially introduced himself as Abe as he met with students and faculty, and gave talks about his work.

            As is customary, Morell created an original work for his residency. He turned the Shatford library into a camera obscura, projecting shelves of history books over art books, showing the crucial relationship between the two fields.

            In addition to his camera obscura works, some of Morell’s recent cutout pieces also hang in the gallery. They are odes to master engravers Piranesi and Dore, cutting and layering their works into fascinating collages, that both honor the artists and create modern impressions of the original source art.

            Morell’s art is impressive and captivating. It’s the type of work that after appreciating it’s beauty, you say to yourself, “How did he do that?”

Follow: