The Sugar Mill Sessions in Kirschman Artspace
NOCCA’s “On the Edge” Gallery Series
Partners With PhotoNOLA
Work By David Armentor On Exhibit In NOCCA Kirschman ArtSpace
November 21-December 20 * Gallery Reception: December 11, 6pm – 8pm
The Ken Kirschman Artspace and the NOCCA Institute are proud to announce the upcoming exhibit of local photographer and Gulf Coast native David Armentor. The exhibition is part of the PhotoNOLA, an annual festival of photography in New Orleans, coordinated by the New Orleans Photo Alliance.
Focused on Iberia parish’s once vibrant sugar cane farming community, David Armentor’s “The Sugar Mill Sessions” is a study that juxtaposes modernistic imagery of an active mill in the area during past harvesting seasons in contrast with a stark contemporary view of the industry in South Louisiana.
A gallery reception is offered to the public on Wednesday, December 11 , 6 to 8 pm. The Ken Kirschman Artspace is located on NOCCA’s campus at 2800 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 1 pm, and Saturday, 12 to 4 pm. Admission is free.
David Armentor, represented by Cole Pratt Gallery
Gulf coast native David Armentor is an emerging artist who has been working in the photographic medium for the past nine years. He received a B.A. in 2004 from Louisiana State University, where he learned the craft of photographic print making from traditionalist Thomas Neff. After graduation he taught photography classes for the Baton Rouge Arts Council and worked as a freelance photographer until moving to Seattle, WA, where he continued his photographic endeavors with the Benham Gallery as an Assistant Curator and artist. He now resides in New Orleans and works as the Digital Imaging Specialist for Tulane’s School of Architecture.
Artist’s Statement
With the sugar industry as a passive backdrop to my upbringing, it was natural for me use its distinctive characteristics as indicators of “home” even after relocating as an adult. Originally, this work began in 2004 with the intention of capturing these traits in a purely formal documentary fashion, following the discipline of “photograph what you know.” I worked mostly at night during the harvesting season months of September through January, which gave way to a more expressive capture of the industry. This direction allowed me to give a unique perspective to an industry where sense of place is often viewed as burdensome or vexatious. Unique lighting conditions along with modernistic compositions allow the images more gentle, hushed qualities while remaining grounded in the innate industrial masculinity—something easily overlooked by those familiar with the landscape.
“The Sugar Mill Sessions” is an ongoing body of work that I expect will evolve going forward. Historically great artists have explored this complex industry that is ingrained in the Southern culture as it has a continual ability to serve as an umbrella for flavorful artistic expression, critique and research