Photographs by Sam Holden
Tuesdays through Fridays 11-6 and Saturdays Noon-4 through November 20
Mission Space
338 N. Charles street
410-752-8950
Sam Holden shows 78 photographs, dating from 1996 to 2004. The images, approximately 18” x 18”, are almost entirely portraits--often rock star legends, local groups, and individuals. There is even one of John Waters. A few of the images are erotic studies, primarily of women in patent leather corsets, stockings, or other fetish wear. Jimbo reads these as portraits of the photographer.
No matter his subject, Holden uses a similar approach: he carefully composes the image for strong contrasts and theatrical effect. Then he uses a few select, often lurid and artificial colors, to enhance the image. This technique produces powerful images with a cool, yet emotional impact.
In addition to some provocative Ray Lewis studies which used yellow-green tints on sepia or black, Jimbo particularly liked “The Pain Crew” four guys and three beers at a bar, 2004; “Chaser Front Page” another bar scene, 2002; “X-Mas #7” four legs, striped stockings, very high heels, and a polka-dot gift box, 2003. Framed, the photographs cost only $300; unfortunately the Ray Lewis portraits are not for sale. Remember Mission Space as an interesting place to stop whenever you’re on Charles Street.
www.missionmedia.net/space/
www.samholden.com
USS Constellation Ceremonial (Morning Coffee)
Tuesday, October 26, 7:30 a.m.
First off, it was great to see seven men, wearing forest
green and
brown camoflage uniforms on a
blue and
gray water-
camoflaged runabout with a bright blue sign
saying FBI, circling the Inner Harbor. I felt so safe. Vote for John Kerry on Tuesday!
For the price of listening to a corps of bagpipers and a few speeches, Jimbo enjoyed, 'free' hot Starbucks coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts on Pier One while the USS Constellation crew and a few tugboats tried to get the ship to drift towards the U.S. Naval Academy. The deportation was scheduled for at 8:30, but the boat didn’t show much headway until 9:20.
It was a beautiful morning, a nice easy crowd, some funny moments, canon firing, a close call with the dock, confetti, boat horns blasting, bunting, U.S. Coast Guard, Harbor Police, fireboat fountains, and a museum director out of central casting. The bagpipers played the 'other' tune, the one that isn’t "Amazing Grace," almost without interruption.
Jimbo was sad to see the Constellation go because he believes it is the heart of the Inner Harbor. The old ship is also a wonderful escape from the modern into the mid-nineteenth century. And its view down the Patapsco towards the Outer Harbor is a great reminder of the heart of the city: the port. Fortunately, if all goes well, the Constellation will be back next week, we'll have a new President-elect, and the FBI will figure out how to camoflage itself on the Inner Harbor.
www.constellation.org
