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Viewpoint

Thirty Five Years of Photography

Exhibit press release · Pictures of the Exhibit and Reception

  For the past 35 years, Ray McSavaney has been quietly following the footprints of Homo sapiens. From his omnipresent viewpoint, he traced their progress from the time they lived in harmony with the land, then altered it slightly with primitive dwellings, domesticated a few flora and fauna ... their footprints continued through abandoned towns, factories, and finally lead to the unnatural landscape which we called the Modern City. During this quest, McSavaney himself had been leaving only footprints but taking many photographs, handcrafted to his impeccable standards. The result is a series of exquisite images, some serenely beautiful, some unsettling so, while others are hanging there, brooding, contemplating, questioning. Despite the seemingly different messages, McSavaney's photographs embrace humanity, from their distinctively human ability to appreciate the beauty of a flower or a graffiti covered bridge, to their equally distinctive ability to alter nature beyond recognition. The human figure, however, is virtually absent throughout most of the prints' narrative, intensifying the stark remnants, adding to the suspense. What have they done? Where are they going? Only at the end of the series do the viewers face the Modern Man, but a question still remains: "Where will their next footsteps be found?" - Lanchi Vo

Floating Rock, California, 1975.  ( ) Walking Trees, El Capitan Meadow, Yosemite Valley, 1983.  ( ) Aspen Grove, Colorado, 1986.  ( ) Pond, Yosemite High Country, 1981.  ( ) Winter Snow Storm, Yosemite Valley, 1973.  ( ) Hunts Mesa, Monument Valley, Arizona, 2008.  ( ) Amaryllis, 2008.  ( ) Water Lily, 2002.  ( ) Hibiscus schizopetalus, 2008.  ( ) Mushrooms, 1973.  ( ) Calla Lily with Reflections, 2007.  ( ) Dried Anthuriums, 2005.  ( ) Chrysanthemum with Soft Reflection, 2003.  ( ) Corn Lilies, 1977.  ( ) White Calla Lily against Mylar, 2002.  ( ) Brussel Sprout Leaves, 1979.  ( ) 11:00 AM, September 21, 1995.  ( ) Ruin Site with Ceiling, 1990.  ( ) 9:20 AM, September 13, 1993.  ( ) Ruin Site, Colorado Plateau, 1991.  ( ) Bruce Johnson's Sculpture Garden, California, 1984.  ( ) Gateway, Bruce Johnson Sculpture Garden, California, 1984.  ( ) Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles, 1989.  ( ) Bradbury Building, Los Angeles, 1980.  ( ) MTA Station, Los Angeles, 1998.  ( ) Warehouse, Los Angeles, 2002.  ( ) Wall and Stairs, Los Angeles, 1980.  ( ) North Room, Uniroyal Tire Factory, California, 1980.  ( ) Light Rays, Uniroyal Tire Factory, California, 1981.  ( ) Offices, Uniroyal Tire Factory, California, 1980.  ( ) Foggy Interior, Uniroyal Tire Factory, California, 1980.  ( ) Plaza, Bunker Hill Series, 1983.  ( ) California Plaza Construction Site, Bunker Hill Series, 1984.  ( ) Industrial Interior, Los Angeles, 1980.  ( ) MTA Station, Los Angeles, 1999.  ( ) Santa Ana Freeway Bridge, Los Angeles, 1989.  ( ) Santa Ana Freeway Bridge, Los Angeles, 1992.  ( ) Wallpaper Detail of Small Boy, Bodie State Park, California, 1977.  ( ) Damaged Billboard, 1979.  ( ) Johny, Melrose Series, 1998.  ( ) David, Melrose Series, 1997.  ( ) Man with Pocketed Shirt, Melrose Series, 1997.  ( ) Ash, Melrose Series, 1998.  ( ) Three Band Members, Melrose Series, 1997.  ( )

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