LR: Can you tell me how and when you became involved with TAG Gallery?
CK: “My interest in TAG goes back to 1993 when the gallery was founded. When I heard about it, I wanted to be a member immediately. I loved the idea of artists working together to create a space where they could show their art. But at the time I was commuting to Moscow, Russia for work and couldn’t make a full commitment. I remember driving by the Gallery and thinking one day I would be there…I was determined. Finally in 2003, 10 years later, when I was back home full time in LA, I was ready. I applied, was accepted and have loved being a part of this extraordinary gallery ever since.â€
LR: When did you start doing your photography?
CK: “My adventure in photography grew out of more than 40 years of work in a variety of media including sculpture, ceramics, glass, acrylic, collage and multi-media. I began photography seriously in the early 90’s.”
LR: Can you explain your process, how do you decide what to print?
CK: “It is very important to me that my work documents rarely seen aspects of reality. I never set up, manufacture, combine or add anything to my images. What you see is what I saw.
My process generally begins as I walk along the street, whether in Santa Monica, Paris, Chicago or Honolulu. I must admit I look a bit odd to others because I’m constantly looking at windows from all kinds of different angles, bending down, leaning this way and that just to get the right reflective image. Often when I take pictures I get strange looks and occasionally the question “What are you taking a picture of?â€
Back in my studio I spend countless hours scouring my images looking at the details of the images to see what fascinating and surprising aspects of reality they reveal. I ask myself what intrigues me, which of these mysteriously fractured images moves me emotionally, which make me smile, which give me a sense of peace or beauty. Often I don’t even know why an image appeals to me, it just resonates with something inside me.”
LR: What was your initial inspiration? And how did you start?
CK: “The crucial moment came 20 years ago on the train between Moscow and St Petersburg Russia. I was looking out the window, watching the Russian countryside go by, when I noticed the reflection on the window creating multiple images in layers. The reflections merged the inside and outside worlds. I wondered if I could capture images like this this with my camera. I shot a bunch of pictures and haven’t stopped since.”
LR: Can you talk about your upcoming show opening on September 15th?
CK: “My latest show draws on the past several years of my work. I consider myself a documentary photographer: I document the realities revealed in reflections. The show is a collection of images I captured in a variety of locations around the world. They reflect my growth as a photographer and refinement of my vision. The places they were taken are not important. What’s important to me is that they reveal the complexity and commonality of the human condition.â€
“Artists don’t choose to make art, they are born to make art. I know I subconsciously and consciously seek creativity in my life. When I find a particular place that feeds my need for visual stimulation I make every effort to spend time there and bring back images that will stimulate others.â€
Enjoy Carol Kleinman’s latest work at TAG Gallery September 4th to September 29th. TAG Gallery is located at Bergamot Station, Space D3, 2525 Michigan Ave., in Santa Monica.
TAG Gallery will present anartist talk on Saturday September 22nd, 2012 3:00pm
For more information on TAG: www.taggallery.net
For more information on Kleinman: http://kleinmanart.com/
