The Observation Deck

I stopped into the Library today to pick up a couple of books I had reserved and had my first opportunity to see the winning photos. The pictures line both sides of the lobby entrance.

Amazing pictures, taken by Lakewood's own, what a treat. If you haven't been in to see them, make it a point to drop in this weekend. Bring the family, everyone will enjoy them.

Yes, Sharon, the works were hung this morning in the community gallery. Indeed, the quality of work and vision of these Lakewood artists compound in the space of the Community Gallery to create an extraordinary and inspiring experience upon entry to the library, whether from North or South.

Although a chip in one glass frame means one photograph is currently missing in action. In addition, we are awaiting signs that will designate the name of the artist and the piece. So please bear with us.

There is a Lakewood Photo Contest Award Reception scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 20th, just before the big LO Party at Mahalls.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to all who submitted!

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Kenneth,

Thanks for the info. We will have to check out the art!!

I'll check it out tomorrow when I go to read, for free, the "competition" the Sun Post.
Stan

PS Congrats Jim, you're taking on an important job!

Check out the new pictures taken by Lakewood artists at the Library! Here is just a taste of the great quality of photography! Go take a look and see for yourself! It is great!

Congratulations to all the artists!

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... he-library

Rhonda Loje

Rhonda,

If those photos are a taste of what's to come I can not wait!! My wife will love it to as she is a fledgling photographer.

Stan,

Thanks, I look forward to meeting you and everybody at the bowling party.

I had a chance to see the art tonight. It was amazing. It was a perfect setting. I have heard people talk about the "wasted space" in the big halls. I had always told them there wasn't art up yet and to wait. Well - it is the perfect location to hang art.

Not only were the photos great - this was a great place to see them displayed.

Was it because there was a contest involved that I saw no names? I wanted so much to know whose photos belonged to who and I thought I might know some of the photographers.

Lynn,

Ken Warren said that the names should be posted on each one shortly.

Rhonda

Lynn:

I have heard a few comments about the wasted space. But it was very interesting today to see how space of the Community Gallery fills with properly spaced art objects gathering people to the community scene.

Robert A.M. Stern possesses a very informed sense of how the public space of the library can work with art to create a series of distinctive passages.

Lakewood's artists and the Art Selection Committee really rose to the immense creative occasion with these pieces, which truly speak a visual and progressive language to one another wholly sympathetic to architect's intention and perfectly suited to the library's mission.

I left today feeling that Talking Photographs, in hushed tones of course, now line the Community Gallery with an order of narrative that will hold up over time.

All the photographs initiate a profoundly creative conversation with the community's psyche, place and time.

For example, see how the conversation on Northeast wall of the Community Gallery begins with Dana Paul's fabulous Detroit Avenue Street scene and moves to Ivor's classic team spirit and through Rhonda's column shot.

There is so much to savor.

Small, tasteful signs with the artist's name and title are still in production. These will be posted by the time of the reception next Sunday.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Lynn;

Good question about the names.

Whenever someone buys a print, etc. from me and I matte and frame it I never sign the front. I always sign the back with a note about the photograph, or the event, or about a friendship with that person and what it means to me, and include my signature.

I feel that a signature on the mat board in the front would take away from the photo. That's how I feel about my paintings too. I always put it on the back.

Names can be a good thing for recognition, but for me it's not necessary. I think if you look at each one of the photographs, you'll be able to pick out with one is mine. That's my way of signing a piece of art. Including a piece of me, a piece of my mind, sometimes heart, sometimes opinion, into the photograph that make the photograph a "Ivor" photograph.

I'm excited to see the finished matted works on the wall. What the library has done for this community with it's new buildings is amazing to me. It's a breath of fresh air.

Kenneth Warren wrote: Robert A.M. Stern possesses a very informed sense of how the public space of the library can work with art to create a series of distinctive passages.

I feel assured that this is simply the beginning of art in the library. There are a number of potential gallery spaces and there have been conversations regarding how best to utilize them. I'm sure those conversations will continue.

Kudos to all involved that the first art displayed was specially commissioned for both the people of Lakewood and that space and that it tells Lakewood's story.

Bravo that the next art hung is by Lakewood, for Lakewood, and about Lakewood.

Having toured a number of local area libraries with the specific purpose of looking at public art, installations vary greatly, so I appreciate that so far, each installation has been carefully considered.

I haven't seen the photos in person, but will visit today. I could recognize some of the photographers from Rhonda's pictures of the pictures!

Ken,

It was nice to see an article in the latest LO about the event on Sunday and the winners. Who knew there were that many photographers in Lakewood!

Just out of curiosity I saw that Mrs.Fannin was listed as a winner, I thought judges and board members were excluded from entering the contest?

thanks in advance,
ivor

Ivor:

Mrs. Fannin resigned from the Art Selection Committee. Having resigned, she was permitted to submit entries to the contest as any other resident.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library