Michele Mosko has brought together the works of two photographers in an effort to capture the beauty of the American West.
“What I like about the American West is the glory of nature and how it’s ever changing,” said Mosko. “Also … some of these places no longer exist, either, because of erosion or climate change. It’s important to capture them while they do.” Mosko selected the works of the well-known Ansel Adams and his student/protégé Bob Kolbrener for the exhibit. The two photographers are similar in several ways: Both capture the American West through a trained eye and prefer black and white photographs to color.
The similarities between the photographers aren’t a coincidence — Kolbrener’s visit to the Ansel Adams Gallery in 1968 was a turning point for the then young photographer’s career, according to Mosko. Over the next 10 years, Kolbrener advanced from a student in 1969 to a recognized talent and teacher with Ansel Adams at his prestigious Yosemite workshops. While lesser artists could easily get lost in the shadow of someone as big as Adams, Kolbrener has set himself apart by capturing simpler scenes, according to Mosko.
“(Kolbrener’s) works might be somewhat less complex because they focus more on one specific view as opposed to the wider scope,” said Mosko. “But his works are more dramatic than Adams and are really breathtaking.” Mosko, who represented Kolbrener for eight years in New York, said she wanted to exhibit the two photographers together because Adams is a name that will draw a crowd and Kolbrener’s photographs will keep people interested in their own right. The exhibit has received a fantastic reception so far, said Mosko, adding that Kolbrener’s visit to the gallery last weekend brought in around 200 people.
“A thing unique to Bob, his insight in regard to composition is really unique,” Mosko said. “His works are comparable to paintings because they look so posed.”
Image is "Controlled Burn and Dodge #1, Yosemite National Park, CA, 1999” by Bob Kolbrener
Michele Mosko Fine Art exhibits prints by international artists John Baldessari, Louise Bourgeois, Enrique Chagoya, Christo, Helen Frankenthaler, Howard Hodgkin, Jasper Johns, Alex Katz, Sol LeWitt, Robert Motherwell, Wayne Thiebaud, Betty Woodman, Huang Yan, and others. Featuring photography by Jill Greenberg, Bob Kolbrener, and Amalie R. Rothschild.
