Snap Snap

A number of qualities attracted her to Polaroid photographs; she is especially fond of the colors they produce and the delicacy of the images. “Each piece is very vulnerable in that moment as it’s developing,” she explains. There is also that unmistakable sound as the film is coming out of the camera, a sound that I’m sure you can hear in your head as you’re reading this. If you go to www.savepolaroid.com, you can read people’s arguments for why it’s important to save Polaroid photography, submit your own story, and even download an action pack if you’re moved towards activism in the instant photography cause.

Britta is an accomplished photographer in many formats, and has as much appreciation for the kind of camera I saw at Stone Lagoon as she does for her first Polaroid camera purchased at Costco, but this show is a moment to reflect on a passing era. The images in Britta’s show are funky and unmistakably instant, contrasting with Tori Nelson’s exquisite and finely crafted photos, but both show the passion that people have for their craft, whether it’s demonstrated by hours in the darkroom, or lobbying film companies and signing petitions to bring back instant film. Who can say that one is better than the other? Why do we pursue either one?

The Polaroid show will be up at the Accident Gallery (210 C St. Eureka) through the month of November.

A year ago, I wrote about the initiation of Annie Reid’s one-year artist-in-residency at the Westhaven Center for the Arts and her project titled When My Father Came Home From War (“Art Beat,” Nov. 8, 2007). Now that the work is complete, Annie is looking forward to going back to painting flowers, but it’s been a rewarding year and the work does not disappoint.

Annie’s concluding exhibition was originally planned to be held at the WCA, but instead will be at Humboldt Carpet Showroom at 2nd and G streets in Old Town, Eureka, through the end of the month. Why the show had to be moved, after a year of Annie’s hard work and dedication, is a question you’ll have to put to the Board of the WCA (and I heartily recommend that you do). Be that as it may, the artist expresses her sincere thanks to Robert Duerksen of Humboldt Carpet for opening his space at the last minute for the exhibit. There will be an artist’s reception on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11. All are invited to come and share their own stories.

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