Feature Article
UNO VOLTA
- at Monart Studio & Gallery in Dalkeith a group of Master Photographers has done the unthinkable - an edition of one print. The resulting exhibition, 'Uno Volta' is set to tour Western Australia over the next twelve months.
'Untitled,' print on archival paper by portrait photographer David Brittain who gravitates towards architectural studies for his personal work.
With the flurry of photographic exhibitions during the recent FotoFreo, one group of Master Photographers was quietly producing the unthinkable in photography - a one-off image in an edition of one which will never be reproduced again. The resulting ground-breaking exhibition Uno Volta, literally meaning 'one time,' is the culmination of a developing and fruitful
partnership between many of Western Australia's finest photographers and Monart Studio & Gallery in Dalkeith which aims to promote fine art photography by regularly including the medium in its exhibition program. As a consequence of this association, many photographers, whose work may be considered more of a commercial nature, are exploring new and exciting subject-matter outside their normal field of practice.
Exhibiting photographer Greg Hocking who first met with Mona Kettelson, Director of Monart Studio & Gallery five years ago said many photographers participating in the Uno Volta struggled to place a value on their work. "It is cutting edge in Western Australia to produce an edition of one photograph," said Greg, who together with Mona and other photographers challenge the divide between fine art and photography.
For artists and writers the concept of a one-off body of creativity is par for the territory, but for photographers the wrench of letting go of an image is a difficult decision. "Often photographers keep working on their images," said Greg. "Unlike painters, photographers can keep coming back to an individual photograph - a little more burning here or dodging there, make a print, and if you are not happy, repeat the whole process over again. To make 'one off' images, which once produced are final, no going back to fiddle or tweak the highlights, no second thoughts, which can be implemented in subsequent editions, has been a challenge."
As the images are digital with no plates or negatives to destroy to ensure subsequent editions are not printed the group agreed to not print any other editions as a matter of aesthetic honour. Each work is also sold with a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing its rarity. The editions of one have roughly tripled the price of works for participating photographers.
All fourteen photographers in Uno Volta are Master Photographers, a prestigious and extremely difficult title to achieve, awarded by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography which can only be earned if a strict criteria is met. Different levels must be achieved within a time frame, to earn titles from Master Photographer to Grand Master Photographer.
Participating photographers include iconic aerial photographer and State Living Treasure Richard Woldendorp, Greg Hocking, the first Australian to be honoured as an International Hasselblad Master, and Dale Neill who took his first photograph at six years of age who says, "even today, I still become incredibly excited when photographing another human. It is a privilege to enter that person's domain and create their likeness, whether realistic or illusory."
Many in Uno Volta have utilised the opportunity to showcase the contrast in their personal work such as Richard Syme, Wedding Photographer of the Year in 2007 who produced the haunting Nude Bride 1, and portrait photograher David Brittain who produced the stunning architectural image Untitled.
Uno Volta continues at Monart Studio & Gallery until the end of June and is set to tour Western Australia in the coming year. Visit www.monart-studio.com or phone 9386 9066 for further information.
'Uno Volt Terra Australis #2,' print on archival paper by prolific photographer Greg Hocking.