Ace Weekly

Big Shot
Get out the Polaroid

By Greta Moore

They say that fame is the fortune of all great souls, so for those who harbor visions of becoming an internationally celebrated photographer, or for those who simply want to enlighten your soul by looking at pretty pictures, Lexington’s Headley-Whitney Museum is hosting “Sights Unseen” an amateur photography contest.

At this point the museum is still accepting entries, so for all you under appreciated-yet highly talented local photographers, it’s time to break out the thousands of dollars of camera equipment you have stuffed under your bed. The competition provides an excellent opportunity for amateurs to exhibit your photos in a museum setting, and more excitingly, discover if anyone else-aside from your loving mother-believes you are a star. “Sights Unseen” also gives local photographers at all levels of experience a chance to network, schmooze, wine and cheese with other members of the art world.

For those without aspirations of becoming the next Ansel Adams-or becoming anyone for that matter-the event offers the opportunity to view an exhibit at the Headley-Whitney for FREE. Free always seems to go hand in glove for those with no aspirations, not to mention the fact that being exposed to the arts makes you a more well-rounded person, which is always a good character trait to list on your resume in case you ever get bit by the desire to do something. Four of Lexington’s professional photographers will be judging the competition and presenting awards to the winning submissions in each of the following categories: humor, nature, culture, love, design, sportsmanship, and special effects. The judges include Ruth Adams, an assistant professor of photography at the University of Kentucky; Guy Mendes, director/producer of documentary film for KET and a professor of photography at the University of Kentucky; Melissa Watt, noted photographer and winner of the Illford Photographic’s national print contest in 1995; and Steve Hockensmith, official photographer for the Kentucky Derby and nationally renowned equestrian and landscape photographer.

If you have little photo-protege at home, Steve Hockensmith will be holding children’s workshops in the morning preceding the exhibition. Hockensmith will teach children ages 6-15 the basic visual concepts of photography including how to compose and frame a photograph. The workshop is also free, and disposable cameras will be provided for the applied learning portion of the seminar.

The “Sights Unseen” Photography competition will be held on Saturday, October 23rd from noon until 3pm, beginning with the awards presentation presented at noon. Children’s workshops will be held in the morning before the main exhibition Ages 6-10 are invited to join workshop leader Steve Hockensmith, from 10am - 11am, and children 11 to 15 at 11 until noon.

Individuals who wish to participate in the competition must submit their entries to the Headley-Whitney Museum by Monday, October 18th. Official entry forms are available at the museum and must accompany submissions. For further details contact the Headley-Whitney Museum at 859/ 255.6653.

If photography is not your thing then you should check out the Found Magazine party at the Ice House this Sunday. Found Magazine was started by two quirky brothers, who were basically really bored with their own lives and decided to live vicariously through other peoples, or more specifically by snooping around through other people personal belongings.

These two eccentric collectors are particularly fascinated with objects that provide a glimpse into other people’s scenarios: letters, pictures, doodles, notes on ripped-off notebook paper—essentially almost anything that the rest of us might overlook as trivial or find creepy to covet.

Remember the wierdo that collected discarded photo-booth pictures in Amelie? Well, these guys cultivate the same voyeuristic charm. The Found Brothers have been on a nation-wide tour since April, and even made an appearance on David Letterman last week to promote their recently-released book FOUND.

The show itself is basically a singing show n’ tell comedy that is part Whose Line is it Anyway? and part Gallagher without the watermelons. The two will present the all time best finds and, while one does his goofy slapstick bit, the other performs improvised songs about the objects. Found party guests can also bring their own found items to be appraised towards the end of the comedy duo’s show, which will be followed by musical performances by Static Film—an avant folk group from California, and Antenna’s Erupt-a jazz band from Chicago. Found Festivities should be the perfect cure for the Sunday-night-blues, beginning at 8pm this Sunday, October 17 at the Ice House Studio (located at 412 Cross Street). A suggested donation of five dollars can be made at the door, and Joseph Beth Booksellers will be in attendance selling the recently released book by Found Magazine’s authors. You can check the Found Magazine website at www.foundmagazine.com. n

THE WEEK IN A&E Big Shot Get out the Polaroid By Greta Moore They say that fame is the fortune of all great souls, so for those who harbor visions of becoming an internationally celebrated photographer, or for those who simply want to enlighten your soul by looking at pretty pictures, Lexington’s Headley-Whitney Museum is hosting “Sights Unseen” an amateur photography contest. At this point the museum is still accepting entries, so for all you under appreciated-yet highly talented local photographers, it’s time to break out the thousands of dollars of camera equipment you have stuffed under your bed. The competition provides an excellent opportunity for amateurs to exhibit your photos in a museum setting, and more excitingly, discover if anyone else-aside from your loving mother-believes you are a star. “Sights Unseen” also gives local photographers at all levels of experience a chance to network, schmooze, wine and cheese with other members of the art world. For those without aspirations of becoming the next Ansel Adams-or becoming anyone for that matter-the event offers the opportunity to view an exhibit at the Headley-Whitney for FREE. Free always seems to go hand in glove for those with no aspirations, not to mention the fact that being exposed to the arts makes you a more well-rounded person, which is always a good character trait to list on your resume in case you ever get bit by the desire to do something. Four of Lexington’s professional photographers will be judging the competition and presenting awards to the winning submissions in each of the following categories: humor, nature, culture, love, design, sportsmanship, and special effects. The judges include Ruth Adams, an assistant professor of photography at the University of Kentucky; Guy Mendes, director/producer of documentary film for KET and a professor of photography at the University of Kentucky; Melissa Watt, noted photographer and winner of the Illford Photographic’s national print contest in 1995; and Steve Hockensmith, official photographer for the Kentucky Derby and nationally renowned equestrian and landscape photographer. If you have little photo-protege at home, Steve Hockensmith will be holding children’s workshops in the morning preceding the exhibition. Hockensmith will teach children ages 6-15 the basic visual concepts of photography including how to compose and frame a photograph. The workshop is also free, and disposable cameras will be provided for the applied learning portion of the seminar. The “Sights Unseen” Photography competition will be held on Saturday, October 23rd from noon until 3pm, beginning with the awards presentation presented at noon. Children’s workshops will be held in the morning before the main exhibition Ages 6-10 are invited to join workshop leader Steve Hockensmith, from 10am - 11am, and children 11 to 15 at 11 until noon. Individuals who wish to participate in the competition must submit their entries to the Headley-Whitney Museum by Monday, October 18th. Official entry forms are available at the museum and must accompany submissions. For further details contact the Headley-Whitney Museum at 859/ 255.6653. If photography is not your thing then you should check out the Found Magazine party at the Ice House this Sunday. Found Magazine was started by two quirky brothers, who were basically really bored with their own lives and decided to live vicariously through other peoples, or more specifically by snooping around through other people personal belongings. These two eccentric collectors are particularly fascinated with objects that provide a glimpse into other people’s scenarios: letters, pictures, doodles, notes on ripped-off notebook paper—essentially almost anything that the rest of us might overlook as trivial or find creepy to covet. Remember the wierdo that collected discarded photo-booth pictures in Amelie? Well, these guys cultivate the same voyeuristic charm. The Found Brothers have been on a nation-wide tour since April, and even made an appearance on David Letterman last week to promote their recently-released book FOUND. The show itself is basically a singing show n’ tell comedy that is part Whose Line is it Anyway? and part Gallagher without the watermelons. The two will present the all time best finds and, while one does his goofy slapstick bit, the other performs improvised songs about the objects. Found party guests can also bring their own found items to be appraised towards the end of the comedy duo’s show, which will be followed by musical performances by Static Film—an avant folk group from California, and Antenna’s Erupt-a jazz band from Chicago. Found Festivities should be the perfect cure for the Sunday-night-blues, beginning at 8pm this Sunday, October 17 at the Ice House Studio (located at 412 Cross Street). A suggested donation of five dollars can be made at the door, and Joseph Beth Booksellers will be in attendance selling the recently released book by Found Magazine’s authors. You can check the Found Magazine website at www.foundmagazine.com. n