Photos capture decay, hope in small Missouri town
By: Lindsey Pilcher
Issue date: 9/2/04 Section: Culture
Meg Sempreora, associate professor in the English department, had her own personal favorite. Titled "Appaloosa," the photo features Smith with her horse, Prince. Sempreora was drawn to it because of the gentleness the owner is exhibiting to the animal.
"There is such an electricity of textures combined with the stillness of the woman and the horse," Sempreora said.
Many photos portray Smith and her family. One of the most striking for many at the opening reception is the image of the mother's feet, which seem twisted and unnatural.
Another image which mixes beauty and despair is "Portrait of Jesus", which shows Smith's mother, who has held on to her religious faith throughout her tribulations in the town. She is a subject in several more photos as well.
Other photos show blatant commercialization. Most residents of Madison travel 10 miles to a nearby Wal-Mart.
At a gallery talk before the reception, Handler and Smith gave practical advice to aspiring photographers. Handler gave tips about how to get grants to do photo projects, and Smith gave students a friendly reality check. "Your projects will take five times longer than you want them to," she said.
The couple hopes to eventually turn this collection into a book. Handler currently has two books in print, one about his life with Tourette Syndrome. Entitled "Twitch and Shout: A Touretter's Tale," the book chronicles the challenges and insights the disorder has brought him. Handler read excerpts from his book and talked about his disorder on Aug. 28 in the UC Sunnen Lounge.
Handler does not think Tourette's held him back. Instead it helped him because he had a niche he could write about when submitting articles to magazines. He wrote several articles on the subject for Life magazine.
While Handler is involved in both writing and photo documentary, he leaves acting to his brother, Evan Handler, who starred in the final seasons of "Sex and the City." Evan played Harry Goldenblatt, Charlette's husband. Regular viewers have probably seen his naked butt on the show.
Handler's family life as well as his medical condition influence his work and viewpoint.
Bill Barrett, the director of the May Gallery, notes that several photographers with Tourette Syndrome have been through the department in the last decade. Although that was an interesting angle, it is not why Barrett chose the project.
"I try to find things that expand student's view of photography," Barrett said. "I want them to be surprised."
The exhibit will be on display until Oct. 1 on the second floor of Sverdrup. Normal hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
"There is such an electricity of textures combined with the stillness of the woman and the horse," Sempreora said.
Many photos portray Smith and her family. One of the most striking for many at the opening reception is the image of the mother's feet, which seem twisted and unnatural.
Another image which mixes beauty and despair is "Portrait of Jesus", which shows Smith's mother, who has held on to her religious faith throughout her tribulations in the town. She is a subject in several more photos as well.
Other photos show blatant commercialization. Most residents of Madison travel 10 miles to a nearby Wal-Mart.
At a gallery talk before the reception, Handler and Smith gave practical advice to aspiring photographers. Handler gave tips about how to get grants to do photo projects, and Smith gave students a friendly reality check. "Your projects will take five times longer than you want them to," she said.
The couple hopes to eventually turn this collection into a book. Handler currently has two books in print, one about his life with Tourette Syndrome. Entitled "Twitch and Shout: A Touretter's Tale," the book chronicles the challenges and insights the disorder has brought him. Handler read excerpts from his book and talked about his disorder on Aug. 28 in the UC Sunnen Lounge.
Handler does not think Tourette's held him back. Instead it helped him because he had a niche he could write about when submitting articles to magazines. He wrote several articles on the subject for Life magazine.
While Handler is involved in both writing and photo documentary, he leaves acting to his brother, Evan Handler, who starred in the final seasons of "Sex and the City." Evan played Harry Goldenblatt, Charlette's husband. Regular viewers have probably seen his naked butt on the show.
Handler's family life as well as his medical condition influence his work and viewpoint.
Bill Barrett, the director of the May Gallery, notes that several photographers with Tourette Syndrome have been through the department in the last decade. Although that was an interesting angle, it is not why Barrett chose the project.
"I try to find things that expand student's view of photography," Barrett said. "I want them to be surprised."
The exhibit will be on display until Oct. 1 on the second floor of Sverdrup. Normal hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
