The brainchild of Australian photographer Brian Cassey, Genesis Project features two images from each of the 19 photographers invited to participate in this group show – one framed image that signifies the moment when they thought their work was good enough to be considered professional, and a second from their experimental days which is accompanied by the photographer’s story in their own words.
“The exhibition aims to explore at what point do photographers become photographers,” explains Cassey. “What were the catalysts that transformed a child, teen or young adult into a potential devoted pro photographer? The moments when through creating an image they realised this is what I want to do – to make photographs, become a photographer, to capture life’s moments…that ‘pivotal’ image.”
Cassey says an exciting, and integral, aspect of this project is the individual stories that give audiences a unique opportunity to discover insights into the motivation behind the photographer. Here Cassey shares part of his own story:
“I nagged my first camera out of my parents when I was about ten or eleven – it cost two shillings and sixpence at Woolworths on the Isle of Wight in England. On seeing my first roll of tiny square grainy black and white prints I was immediately and completely hooked on capturing things on film. My first subjects were ‘boy things’ like ocean liners, steam trains or cars. My parents begrudgingly shelled out for the mounting film and processing costs. The acquiring of cameras progressed through my teen years and my framed image (in Genesis Project) was taken on the first ever roll of colour transparency film I shot. The camera was a Minolta Rapid 24 half-frame basic range finder using Agfa film in special cassettes…Somewhere around 40 years later (I’m not counting) I still get the same feeling of elation when the many random elements seen through a camera viewfinder frame coalesce and form into a cohesive image.”
Festival Director Moshe Rosenzveig also has a photo in this show and says, “This is a really exciting show that gets into the headspace of the photographer”.
The 19 photographers featured include Australians, and internationals. Sharing their stories and photographs in Genesis Project are Ben Lowy, Roger Ballen, Murray Fredericks, Chris Rainier, Brian Cassey, David Dare Parker, Fiona Wolf, Jackie Ranken, Katrin Koenning, Martine Perret, Sam Harris, Glenn Campbell, Jon Lewis, Peter Eastway, Craig Golding, John Donegan, Peter Solness, Phil Hillyard and Moshe Rosenzveig.
EXHIBITION
Genesis Project – Group Show
Until 8 June, 2014
Head On Photo Festival
M Contemporary Gallery
37 Ocean Street
Woollahra
Australia
