Tracing Light

사진 매체로 시각 이미지를 창조하는 환경은 기술의 발달과 함께 변화해 왔다. 디지털 환경으로 전환되는과정에서 사진은 실제를 더 완벽하게 재현하는 능력을 가지게 되었고, 이런 기술적 진보는 현재 사진 예술의 변화에 중요한 요인으로 작용해 오고 있다.  구한말 일본으로부터 건너온 사진(寫眞)이라는 어원은 '진짜를 복사하다'라는 뜻을 가지고 있다. 서구에서 발명된 사진(Photography)은 사실 우리가 쓰는 사진(寫眞)이라는 말과는 조금 다른 어원을 가진다. 포토그라피'photography'는 헬라어의 빛이라는 뜻인'phos'와 '그리다'는 뜻의 'graphos'가 합성된'빛으로 그리다' 라는 의미를 가지고 있다.  이때 사진가는 빛으로 그리는 화가로서 받아들여지게 되며,사진기는 빛을 그리는 수단의 검은 상자이고, 사진은 빛이라는 근본질료가 화학적, 광학적, 물리적인 과정을 통해 남는 물질의 흔적이 되는 것이다.

클리아 맥키나(Klea McKenna)_Slow Burn : 「Slow Burn #4   Morelli Ridge」_ chromogenic contact print of a folded 4×5 negative_27.94×35.56cm_2010

사진특별전 『Tracing Light - 빛으로 간 사진』은 현시대의 사진에 대한 본질적인 질문들을 담고 있다. 미국 서부지역에서 활동하는 4명의 참여 작가는 8×10 대형카메라로 인간의 삶에 닿은 빛을 촬영하고태양빛 아래서 종이 위에 프린트하는 린다 코너(Linda Connor), 핀홀카메라와 인화지로 밖의 풍경을 촬영함과 동시에 카메라 안에서 포토그램 작업을 하는 클리아 맥키나(Klea McKenna), 유리판의 사진 유제가 마르기 전에 이미지를 새기는 오래된 사진의 방식인 콜로디온 습판법(Collodion Wet-Plate)으로 빛이 닿은 대지를 담는 벤 닉슨(Ben Nixon), 태양이 있는 풍경 앞에서 카메라의 셔터를 열고 빛의 긴 괘적으로 인화지를 태우는 크리스 맥카우(Chris McCaw)이다. 이 사진가들에게 '빛'은 사진의 소재이자 주제이며, 모든 과정의 이유이자 결과이다. 이들은 빛과 물질을 다루는 연금술사이자, 시간을 거슬러 사진의본질을 찾고 있는 빛의 순례자들이다.  구한말 일본으로부터 건너온 사진(寫眞)이라는 어원은 '진짜를 복사하다'라는 뜻을 가지고 있다. 서구에서 발명된 사진(Photography)은 사실 우리가 쓰는 사진(寫眞)이라는 말과는 조금 다른 어원을 가진다. 포토그라피'photography'는 헬라어의 빛이라는 뜻인'phos'와 '그리다'는 뜻의 'graphos'가 합성된'빛으로 그리다' 라는 의미를 가지고 있다.  이때 사진가는 빛으로 그리는 화가로서 받아들여지게 되며,사진기는 빛을 그리는 수단의 검은 상자이고, 사진은 빛이라는 근본질료가 화학적, 광학적, 물리적인 과정을 통해 남는 물질의 흔적이 되는 것이다.

벤 닉슨(Ben Nixon), Ashley River : 「Volcanic Ash」_gelatin silver print_93.98×114.3cm

이들은 디지털 기술이 사진가의 영혼을 잠식해가는 현대 사진의 혼돈 속에서, 오히려 옛 프로세스를 통해새로운 시각 이미지를 창조한다. 제작 과정의 노동과 오랜 기다림은오히려 그들 사진을 정직하고 단단하게 하는 기회일 것이다. 빛이 물질로 바뀔 때 생기는 우연성을 받아들이고 그것을 사진의 마법으로 적극수용하는 그들의 사진은 눈속임없이 신비하고 아름답다. 이 전시는 빠르게 변하는 사진의 환경과 과도하게넘쳐나는 이미지들에 노출된 우리에게 빛의 본질과 시간이 흘러도 가치있는 것들에 대해 질문하게 한다.이를 통해 그동안 우리가 간과하여 지나쳤던, 빛으로의 초심으로 돌아가 볼 것을 한번 제안해 본다. ■ 주상연

린다 코너(Linda Connor)_Moonrise :「Moonrise, Clouds &Star Trails Lake Tsomoriri, Ladakh, India」_ printing-out paper_20.32×25.4cm_1998

Seeing the light with our eyes is a beautiful thing. Do you remember the light that first greeted you at the time of your birth? With the very first breath, there is life's first light that divides existence from non-e×istence. Death probably is…our way back to the darkness as light exits our body. ● A photograph is a trace of blessing where light touches one's life. I think it is very important to remember the true essence of photography, because it makes us re-think about the meaning of light that is captured in our lives. Moreover, a photograph is our desire to put significant meaning to life's ordinary moments. The moment that light touches the world's beauty, life turns into a poem. ● Photographers are magicians, holding a black box and standing right between the light and the darkness. They speak to the world using the secret language of light. To them – life is where light and shadow meet and intertwine together. And an ordinary moment is reborn and given a name when captured by the eyes of a photographer. ● The 4th issue of Gitz introduces four photographers from the American West. In a world that seeks fast and convenience, here we present four photographers who are going back in time to capture the true essence of photography. The light that enters their window somewhat resembles the light that we first encountered at birth. ● The light and the darkness – being alive – wonderful and yet mysterious. Being able to see the light's drama captured by these four photographers is truly an amazing thing. ■ Joo Sangyon

Vol.20130419c | Tracing Light 빛으로 간 사진展