Featuring Susan Detroy, "Infrared Messages-Today's Memories" at Eugene's Territorial Vineyards and Wine Company Sept. 29--Oct. 28
A mysterious luminous horse in a radiant meadow, a finely detailed grasshopper throwing a soft shadow--this is the infrared photography of Susan Detroy.
"Infrared photography is capturing the rays of light that are infrared...those rays are not visible to the human eye."
Welcome to Visual City, KLCC’s Arts Interview program. As I stand in the art gallery of Eugene's Territorial Vineyards and Wine Company, I am impressed with the unusual richness of these photographs. Infrared? Is this some new digital app for her smart phone?
"I used an actual camera, an analog camera with a filter that...allows those rays to be captured on that film."
These images are certainly exciting to look at, but what was exciting for Susan Detroy as a creator of them?
"What was exciting for me as a creator was partly the process of it, which is, everything has to be done in total darkness."
Traditional darkrooms have safelights that allow the photographer to see what she is doing, but for infrared, the darkness must be complete. She does everything with her hands manipulating the camera and film in a black bag in lightless room until she sees the final prints emerging.
"So there was a kind of mystery about it that is similar to analog film photography, but with even another layer of mystery."
Susan says is drawn to artistic projects of chance and mystery
"I do like the idea of not knowing what might turn out!"
Susan Detroy will have a series of shows at Territorial on West Third here in Eugene, each one featuring a different side to this multi-faceted artist. This show runs through October 28.
Visual City is co-produced by Terry Way and Sandy Brown Jensen.
