North Gallery
Lori Oden
Optics and Alchemy
July 14 thru September 7, 2008
In Optics and Alchemy, Oklahoma City photographer Lori Oden is completely captivated by 19th century photographic processes.
“I mostly enjoy the 19th century processes because
I am involved in every aspect of the process, including mixing my own chemistry, coating my own paper, and making my own film on glass or tin. Personally, the nostalgic feel of these processes and images in our fast-paced, digital society gives me peace and a sense of hope that history and beauty will not be lost.”
Oden specializes in historic photographic processes, including daguerreotype, wet collodion, platinum and palladium, cyanotype, calotype, salt print, albumen and tintypes. She explained that alchemy refers to an ancient study of science and chemistry, a term commonly used to imply the creation of something valuable from something that is not, such as lead to gold.
Because of cumbersome equipment and messy chemistry along with dedication to staying home with her family, Oden takes most of the photographs in her own backyard. “This, along with the choice to practice historic photographic processes, has taught me to be more creative and thoughtful, and to see beauty in the simple, tiny actions and the unpretentious possessions we have in our daily life.”
Currently the executive director of the Paseo Artists Association, Oden is a native Oklahoman who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a Master of Liberal Studies degree from the University of Oklahoma in Photography, Literature and Art History. She also serves as an adjunct professor in photography at Oklahoma City University and Oklahoma State University. She has published essays in the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum quarterly newsletter and other publications including Rangefinder Magazine, Photo Marketing Magazine, American Society of
Photographers and the Oklahoma Museums Association Newsletter.
Her work has been exhibited at the Leslie Powell Gallery, Lawton, Oklahoma City’s Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, City Arts Center, Calypso Café City Arts, Individual Artists of Oklahoma, Skylight Gallery Auction and the Hubbard Museum of the American West, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico.
Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council. For more information contact Amber Sharples at 405.521.2931 or amber.sharples@arts.ok.gov.
The North Gallery is located on the 1st floor of the State Capitol and open daily from 8:00-5:30.