Photographs by Craig J. Barber
September 10 – November 17, 2012

Contact: Tom Moore
410-455-3370
tmoore@umbc.edu

This release is available as a pdf file.

The Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery presents Ghosts in the Landscape: Vietnam Revisited, featuring photographs by Craig J. Barber, from September 10 through November 17.

Over a four-year period beginning in 1995, photographer Craig Barber, an ex-combat Marine, returned to Vietnam to traverse many of his former military routes, making images with an 8×10 inch pinhole camera. Intended in part as cathartic exercise and in part curiosity about what had become of this once war-torn country, the series of diptych and triptych panorama platinum images created by Barber capture the serene beauty of the country and, at times for the artist, all too memorable landscapes.

The images Barber captured are not documentary. The minutes-long exposure required to record pinhole images produce blurring in anything in motion during the exposure; this sense of movement contributes to both a feel of mystery and a dreamlike, introspective quality.

The artist states, “I began returning to Viet Nam early in 1995. My intent: photographing, writing and learning about the land I first saw as a combat Marine many years before. Full of youthful ignorance upon my initial arrival in Viet Nam, saddened and still ignorant upon my departure, I returned home with more questions than answers and more anger than I care to admit. This time, older, gentler and more mature, I hoped for a better understanding. Carrying vivid memories—some good, some not so, all intense, all needing clarification—I navigated each day through the landscape of my emotions.”

This exhibition has been organized by the George Eastman House & Museum. The presentation of this exhibition is supported by an arts program grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency funded by the State of Maryland and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support comes from the Friends of the Library & Gallery, the Libby Kuhn Endowment Fund and the American Legion Towson Post #22, and individual contributions.

Gallery Information
The Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery serves as one of the principal art galleries in the Baltimore region and is located on the first floor of the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery. Admission to the Gallery and its programs is free.

Hours
Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri: 12 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Thursday: 12 P.M. – 8 P.M.
Sat/Sun: 1 P.M. – 5 P.M.

Public Information
UMBC Arts & Culture Calendar: http://www.umbc.edu/arts
Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery: http://aok.lib.umbc.edu/gallery/
Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery: 410-455-2270

Images for Media Use Only
http://www.umbc.edu/newsevents/arts/hi-res/
Images in this release: Eden in the Mekong (1998), Always Curious (1995), With the Rains Came Solitude (1997), platinum prints, © 2006 Craig J. Barber, courtesy George Eastman House.

Directions and Parking Information
UMBC is approximately 10 minutes from downtown Baltimore and 20 minutes from I-495.
• From I-95 between Baltimore and Washington, take exit 47B. Take Route 166 toward Catonsville and then follow signs to the Walker Avenue Garage (metered parking).
• From I-695, take Exit 12C (Wilkens Avenue) and continue one-half mile to the entrance of UMBC at the intersection of Wilkens Avenue and Hilltop Road. Turn left and follow signs to the Walker Avenue Garage (metered parking).