Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 28, 1982)
McKenzie Coffee Monthly Special 10% off House Blend Coffee through April \ Coffee by the cup^ We are in the J Mayflower Building ^ 782 EUth* 342-2071. ! April Specials J at the I Turning Point I Perms $28.00 | reg $35.00 | Includes haircut | Haircut $10.00 and Blowdry reg $15.00 | ask tor Kathy McCarty 343-4813 2660 Oak keBeeabring couponemaii Exhibit worth a second glance Willie Osterman Aperture Gallery Erto Memorial Union University professor Willie Oster man's photos are initially a puz zling group of images that seem to lack coherence and consistency. Though as a collection they are not surprising, they do merit more than casual examination The subjects of these photo graphs are familiar, perhaps too much so As individual pieces, however, they seem to have more value, for within this show are the beginnings of many interesting paths One picture, for instance, shows a flock of black plywood sheep which mysteriously ap peared on campus last spring But Osterman doesn't pursue the sumeal aspects of everyday life in the rest of the show It is an as sortment. There are merry-go rounds, decorated automobiles, "humorous” signs and window displays. All of these images ap pear to be disconnected, as if Osterman were challenging the viewer to find meaning in a pur posely careless assemblage And as with most art, it is entirely a matter of intent This display appears to be an attempt to break away from the abstract perspective of Oster man s earlier work As with most transitions, there is a temporality about these pieces that suggests a lack of content or substance Admittedly they are meant to be light in nature, more whimsical than serious However, the ironies are a little thin The subject mat ter, as in the picture of dress maker's dummies unclothed and accompanied by the word "elegance," is almost cliche. But it is not the presence of cliche that makes one question Osterman's intent It is the impression that this collection is forced in its compo sition, and that some of the ban ality we see was wholly uninten tional It is fitting that these photos are displayed on walls between the cafeteria lines and the central lobby of the EMU, for this collec tion is very suitable for viewing on the run. Indeed, these photos were captured somewhat on the run Using a pocket-sized cam era, Osterman attempted to get elaborately air-brushed van, human feet next to the legs of a tripod and the ghostly image of a figure dwarfed by leafless trees are photographs which, in one sense, are disconnected But as instinctual compositions reflect ing the crazy order, or distinct lack of order in the universe, they are rather charmingly related Looking at them from that point of view suggests an intimacy, a personal connection with the ar tist that is not present in the work of more technically oriented pho tographers In these images we are aware of the creator's exis The photos are at once light and serious. The content is there, but one has to explore each image to discover it. down on light-sensitive paper a feeling for the transitory nature of seeing and remembering He ex plains in his preface to the show that “photography is a way of recording forever the things one eye may see only for a moment “ A glimpse of an ornate art deco box office, floral curtains inside an tence We can sense his laughter, or at least his appreciation of the oddity of the plywood sheep and the naivete of the photo studio window filled with its portrait wares proudly claiming to perform “photgraphy with a touch of feeling.” Closer analysis of the show reveals that there is a great deal that does not immmediately ‘ meet the eye." The content is there, but one has to explore each image thoughttully to discover it In a way, this is the central flaw in Osterman's show His photos are at once light and serious This ambiguity has undoubtedly con fused some viewers, and caused others to pass this exhibit by That, however, is a risk that all visual artists take This is no re flection on Willie Osterman's technical or artistic ability, and this same duality implies excel lence by some standards, in that the show operates on two levels it can be seen quickly and app preciated as a lyrical look at the world, and it can just as well be viewed more carefully, if one has the time to slowly investigate the subtle commentary that Osterman makes about life in America From a glance to a "heavy look." these photos are perplex ing, and to the questioning mind they are an inspiration toward further inquiry into human per ception That, apart from aesthe tics and craftsmanship, is perhaps the most reliable thread to follow in evaluating art Even though there is less clarity of purpose in this show than might be desired, Osterman seems to have lived up to the promise of the store win dow, giving us a "touch of feeling" that prompts the magic of the second glance by tony budd EMERALD CITY ENTERTAINMENT An Intimate Evening of COMEDY Starring JOHNNY DARK ★Has appeared on over 21 National TV Shows including "The Tonight Show" & "Merv Griffin" ★Has toured with Suzanne Somers. Teddy Pendergrass. Andy Williams & many others ★Appears regularly in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace. The MGM Grand & The Aladdin. Co-Starring ftg HARDER ★Has written comedy for comedians jay Leno. David Letterman. Glenn Super & many others. ★Has toured nationally with Gabe Kaplan ★Regularly appears at The Comedy Store. The Laff Stop & The Improvisation. WITH KPNW's RADIO RAY PIKTZ FRIDAY, APRIL 30th 8 & 10:30 P.M. SATURDAY, MAY 1st 7,9:30 P.M. & MIDNIGHT HACIENDA STEAK HOUSE At Thr RiukI* Inn — Fonnrrli The lalrnulEtiul Adt«mf Ticket Stubs Entitle' Be»«rr l« SO*, (Jff fa •>! fifmiir Tickets At: Hacienda Steak House. Lone Star Cafe & Bar, Jo Federigo’s. Cardan Camera-Spfld. Mall, Gerlach's—On Campus. Call 485-M96 For More Ticket Information Listen to KPNW 1120 For Details Advance Tickets $J50 Open 10-6 Mon thru Sat 446 E 13th St Next to Bijou Theater 342-8339 REMEMBER MAMA MAY 9th with great CARDS GIFTS BOOKS from LOGOS BOOKSTORE Thank you for not running away from home during my adolescent years april 28, 1982
