Collodion Images of Ken Merfeld

Written by Gary Chalmers Thursday, 03 November 2011 21:10

 

San Pedro, CA - One of the few masters producing images in this 19th Century photographic art process is Los Angeles artist, Ken Merfeld, who will be premiering his new, exquisite body of Collodion work at Flazh!Alley Studio.  On exhibition 31 March - 3 May, 2008.

Mr. Merfeld's work has appeared in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Mademoiselle, Angeleno, Zoom, and Los Angeles Magazine and his work has been likened to that of Irving Penn, Diane Arbus, August Sanders and E.J. Bellocq with his own sensitivity, depth and meticulous printing techniques. This new body of work is attracting world-wide attention as Merfeld combines a 19th Century process with 21st Century technology in producing a re-invention of his provocative, emotional portrait series.
 
The Wet Plate Collodion Process originated in 1851 when photographic images were first put onto glass [Ambrotypes] and on tin [Tintypes]. It is a very sensitive, tempermental process requiring each piece of glass to be hand coated with a Collodion mixture [guncotton dissolved in ether and alcohol], light sensitized by silver nitrate, exposed and developed while still wet, and fixed in a solution of potassium cyanide. This process requires precise manipulation at all stages through completion of varnishing the plate with a warm mixture of gum sandarac and oil of lavender. The Collodion technique can be somewhat unpredictable while yielding unique, provocative, highly emotional imagery.
 
The only public receptions will be on San Pedro's 1st Thursdays Art Walk Nights, April 3 & May 1, 2008 from 7-11 PM ADULTS ONLY (18 and over) "Illusions in Between" can also be seen by appointment. Please call, 310.833.3633 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
Flazh!Alley Studio is located at 1113 S. Pacific Ave., Suite B, San Pedro, CA. Park in the large city parking lot behind the Ramona Bakery at Pacific & 11th Street. Enter Flazh!Alley from the alley, of course.
 

www.flazhalleystudio.com

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