It seems that digital photography is the wave of the future. Countless photobloggers depend on digital cameras to rapidly export their work to their Web-based viewership. And DCist couldn’t bring you on-the-scene photos without a digital camera or handy camera phone. But is the art form associated with traditional photography — dark rooms, rolls of film, noxious chemicals and all — being lost? James W. Bailey says yes.
Bailey’s new exhibition, “The Death of Film,” is currently on display at the Margaret W. and Joseph L. Fisher Art Gallery at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center. If you happen to be in Alexandria on Saturday, DCist suggests checking out Bailey’s work at the exhibitions opening reception from 1-3 p.m.
Bailey, who was born and raised in Mississippi, resides in Reston. “Circle Theater – New Orleans,” pictured here, received an honorable mention from the Bethesda International Photography Competition, which is organized by the Fraser Gallery.
His approach is quite “violent” according to a bio:
He buys damaged cameras in thrift stores and mutilates his film and prints. Lenses are scratched, holes may be punched in the film canisters with a needle, and prints may be burned and torn, along with the original negatives.
