It’s always fascinating for a photographer to learn what someone else sees in their work, especially when that someone else is a curator. Recently, one of Doug Menuez’s photographs inspired Jay Block of Bridgewater State University’s Wallace L. Anderson Gallery to assemble an exhibition exploring the affinities he feels Doug’s work shares with Baroque painters such as Velázquez.
That solo show, titled “Modern Traditions,” opens at the gallery, located at 40 School St. in Bridgewater, on January 21 and will be on view through February 20. A reception is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. on January 30.
From the press materials for the exhibition:
Drama, rich color, and intense use of light and shadows—these are the defining characteristics of art created during the Baroque period. This rich and turbulent era of exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail was engaged in the key intellectual debates of the time. Issues of secular, sacred and cultural identity were the thematic focus on which visual narratives were used to produce strong emotional reactions.
The exhibition of photographs by Doug Menuez explores the same dynamic use of light, motion, color and dramatic detail to define subtle interactions, inner dialogs and strong emotions. Each of the works selected exemplify the Baroque keynotes which have been brought into a diverse and contemporary discourse.
Below, the 13 images featured in the show…
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The photo that inspired the exhibition: “Family Gathering, Miami,” 2010, by Doug Menuez.
“Monks With Mobile Phone, Hanoi, Vietnam,” 2008, by Doug Menuez.
“Traditional Dancers Between Shows,” Amatitán, Mexico,” 2003, by Doug Menuez.
“Silent Lunch, Kiwanga Home for AIDS Orphans, Uganda,” 2006, by Doug Menuez.
“Exercise Break at Intel Fab 11X, Rio Rancho, New Mexico,” 1998, by Doug Menuez.
“Ngoc Son Temple, Hanoi, Vietnam,” 2008, by Doug Menuez.
“Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,” 2008, by Doug Menuez.
“Morning Washing, Kiwanga Home for AIDS Orphans, Uganda,” 2006, by Doug Menuez.
“Rodeo, Guadelajara, Mexico,” 2007, by Doug Menuez.
“Roadside Bar, Gulu, Uganda,” 2006, by Doug Menuez.
“Phoebe, New York City,” 2012, by Doug Menuez.
“Russian Acrobats, New York City,” 2012, by Doug Menuez.
“The Burning Towers, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, September 11, 2001,” by Doug Menuez.
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