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Susan C. Berkowitz
- California
- United States
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Susan C. Berkowitz's Artworks
Profile Information
- Favorite Quote
- "To create one's world in any of the arts takes courage. "
- Georgia O'Keefe
- Brief Bio
- Dry Polaroid Transfers, Polaroid Emulsion Lift Offs, Gel Transfers and Abstracts
I have worked in all realms of photography throughout my career. For the past 5 years, though, I have focused on single image Gel Transfers, Dry Polaroid Transfers and Multiple Image Polaroid Emulsion Lift Off Transfers. As I work in all three processes, the concept remains the same; all are equally enjoyable as well as aesthetically pleasing.
I hand-build my assemblages. The objects within each assemblage represent who I, or someone else was at a certain time and place. Objects such as keys appear regularly, and to me, they represent a life from the past, as well the future. Keys open and close doors, chapters of our lives.
Objects such as flowers, begin small and beautiful, bloom into their own, and one day whither away, leaving behind a dried petal for their remembrance of who they once were.
I feel that there needs to be more beauty in the world. There is so much sadness and heartache around us these days, I simply want to show that the smallest of objects can bring about great beauty, that maybe, due to our own situations, we may have missed along the way. For example: this beauty can be found under the smallest circumstances, such as in my piece entitled “Pod”. I was walking in a rainstorm in Scottsdale, Arizona, when a pod with seedlings blew across my path.
My assemblages and the objects within them represent the history and metamorphosis that I, myself, or others, based upon conversation, have experienced. As stated above, each assemblage is constructed by hand and photographed with 35mm slide film. The slide film is then used to create either the Dry Polaroid Transfers, Polaroid Emulsion Lift Off’s or the Gel Transfers.
All four processes begin with using 35-millimeter slide film, which is then placed in a Polaroid slide printer, allowing me to print onto 3”x4” Polaroid 669 film. From this Polaroid film, I am able to create both Polaroid Dry transfers and Polaroid Emulsion Lift off Transfers.
The Polaroid Dry Transfer process consists of allowing the Polaroid film to process for approximately 10 seconds, otherwise known as a partial process. I then pull apart the film and transfer the negative to artist paper, where, in about 2 minutes, the image finishes it’s processing time onto the paper. The size of the image is only 3” x 4”, and I don’t feel the impact of the image was properly presented. In order to have the larger image, the original 3” x 4” Dry Polaroid is scanned into the computer and a single 36” x 24” archival print is printed onto Somerset Velvet paper.
In the Polaroid Emulsion Lift Off process, I allow the Polaroid 669 film to process its full 2 minutes. The emulsion is then boiled off the paper back of the Polaroid film. What is left is a membrane, as thin as tissue paper. Once the emulsion is boiled off, it is moved into a cold water pan. I then transfer the emulsion directly onto Archival Stone Hendge Artist Paper and use a brush with cold water to manipulate and move the image until I am satisfied with where it is placed. Each final creation has between 3 and 5 images within it, with the final size being approximately 10” (H) x 20” (W).
For the Gel Transfers, I create a color copy from the slide, and by using Gel Medium, the image is transferred to artist paper. The Gel Transfer process also allows me to create layers through the scratches that occur naturally as I transfer the ink to the paper. Each final image is placed upon Stone Hendge Artist paper and are approximately 16” (W) x 20” (H).
All processes are one of kind creations. The scratches, folds, creases, rips, tears and so on occur as I create each piece. This natural process does not allow for an identical recreation. The edges of the paper on all three processes are deckled (torn), and the edges are displayed by floating the entire work in a window matte.
The “Abstract Series” begins with simply photographing painted concrete walls. With that, I create a multiple image Polaroid Emulsion Lift off Transfer. The multiple emulsion lift off’s are one of a kind. Meaning, they cannot and will not be reproduced. With that, I choose to scan into the computer one particular shape of an original emulsion lift off. I use the computer to change the color and increase the size. Thus, the final image is a 20” x 20” IRIS print. Framed to 30” x 30”. The images are generally displayed in a quad fashion or traditional fashion. Reason being, each color of each image compliments one another. I feel that the colors and shapes I choose all lend themselves to enhance each other. The images can be sold as a group(s) or individually.
All of my the papers I use, prints I create and framing processes are museum quality. I use archival and acid free white matte board and backing tape.
- Personal Website
- http://www.susanberkowitz.com/
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This is great, Sharon. There's no void of down-toned comm on our planet today.
You make a great point about creating "good effects", not only in our art, but in our
lives as we lead them. That is what Ron says in Route To Infinity- just being a
bea…
Your verses leave me detached, suspended in the silence of me.
And then the endless contemplations of "what if" so much beauty
could fill the spaces of us all.
© 2009 Created by George Alger on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
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Ancient Chants
If one can truly listen
Thay can hear the sound
Of more than their own voice
Know when to be quiet.
To pick up on sensations
That are only perceptible
At a moment in time
When time seems to stand still.
Not to hear a pindrop
But to be in the presence
Of a far greater occurrence
When one can hear an inaudible life form.
If they are in touch with
A transparent root
An invisible filament
Provides light to a knowing core.
To come out of the darkness
Then perceive higher contact
With those beyond the border
Of a man made fence.
This takes an outlook
That has no boundaries
To experience the endless possibilities
When one thinks outside the box.
Life is limitless
In its scope and spectacles
We are born with more than what we know
We are all part of one sea.
As we're part of one forest
One sky and one earth
No one exists alone
Unless they choose to shut themself off.
My hand is a petal
Or a branch
My ears are like mountains
Or a running stream.
My eyes are like the stars
I absorb the sparkles
We are one and the same
Endowed with a sight from ancient chants.
"Glowing Candles"
Once more daylight starts to shorten
In early November
We notice greater change
As we're touched by white fluffy pillows.
Falling freely in abundance
From this, trees are transformed
As are our inner workings
Which are softened by smooth cushions.
That seem to blanket the ground
Causing children to make snowmen
Loosening strings on our behaviour
Enabling us to create snow angels.
Funny how we don't seem to mind
The cold and its side effects
With the onset of such weather
We can't wait to get outside.
We bundle up quite snugly
To ride on the toboggan
As it races down a hill
We're warmed by the atmosphere.
Sure we have to shovel
At times snow piles up
This season unlike all others
Brings out the best in people.
There is the added courtesy
Looking out for those less fortunate
When sharing's a popular idea
When little ones learn true values.
As we begin our ascent
Towards one fateful day
Let us not forget
All that led us here in the first place.
We are first and foremost
Lights that are linked together
Like stars in the universe
Like trees in the forest.
In this life we build bridges
To span through life times
To expand on endearing moments
To accentuate glowing candles.
"Crackling Fire"
I find myself thinking
Pondering, the further I go
As to the extent
To the vastness of the totality of life.
There appears to be
No shortage of kindness
You might find this an odd statement
Considering the world we live in.
But I see it all around us
People helping others in need
A little goes a long way
To see a child crack a smile.
To me this means everything
We're not just here to tie shoe laces
This goes for everyone
If we'd only take.
Five minute out of our busy day
To just think of someone else
Those thoughts would be received
Be transmuted into warm embers.
From a crackling fire
To give small comfort
To one who has not the luxury
Of a home with four walls.
Life gains new meaning
When we go above our personal facade
To touch other sides
To us might be out of view.
So expands an understanding
More to this than what meets the eye
One begins to truly perceive
When one moves outside the physical.
Towards an infinity
Where one's motivation
Is derived from a wonder carved by nature
Not by a man made materialistic object.
This is how the stream lengthens
Why a world with seemingly so many faults
Makes amends for a short sightedness
Through selflessness we are released to what lies beyond.