UNFIXED: The Fugitive Image at Transformer Station Jan. 15 – April 3rd, 2016

Cleveland, Ohio— This winter Transformer Station presents UNFIXED: The Fugitive Image, an exhibition featuring 11 national and international artists who are exploring the ephemeral image in a wide variety of ways with and without cameras, in still images as well as video. Although photographic images existed long before, the birth of photography is marked by the date when we learned to “fix” a representative image on a light sensitive surface permanently. Since then, the truth of photographic representation has been often questioned and much discussed. Less debated, but just as questionable is the permanence of the photographic image. Of course, eventually, all surfaces decay and images fade, but the artists in this exhibition embrace the fleeting nature of the image that is created by light and is eventually destroyed by it. Many of the works in UNFIXED have been created for the exhibition, including a site-specific installation of Wait and See by Swiss artists F + D Cartier and a project by Matthew Gamber that explores the history of color film processes through the lyrical use of obsolete slide projectors. John Opera’s application of natural, light-sensitive dyes mean that his photographs will fade gradually, while Phil Chang’s unfixed photographs will disappear within hours of the opening party. A group of vernacular photographs from the collection of Peter Cohen reveal the surprising beauty of photographs that, owing to a faulty dye process, have all turned pink. Other works in the show are elegiac—Brian Ganter’s heat sensitive tintypes reveal haunting portraits of queer porn stars, all of whom died of AIDS, when held in the viewer’s hands. Meanwhile Paul Shambroom’s photographs of lost pet flyers, washed out by sun and rain, quietly mourn what can never be recaptured. Also featuring work by Eric William Carroll, Dustin Grella, Luke Stettner, and Tom Persinger, UNFIXED brings together objects and images that cause us to consider mortality and entropy, time and memory and the beauty of moments that can never last. UNFIXED: The Fugitive Image will open on Friday, January 15th. Transformer Station members are invited to preview the exhibition from 5 – 6 p.m. Artists Françoise and Daniel Cartier will deliver a free public lecture at 6:30 p.m., followed by a reception. Additional Programs Matthew Gamber Gallery Talk, Saturday, January 16th, 2 p.m. Dr. Kate Albers Lecture, “The Ephemeral Photograph: From Salt Prints to Snapchat,” Saturday, March 12th, 2 p.m. Tom Persinger Gallery Talk and Performance, Sunday, April 3rd, 3 p.m. Full press release and image assets