Photo by Rob Siverson

Various Talents, One Vision

Robb Siverson’s photographs consistently present both nature—and the interior environments Siverson constructs—as though the lens itself has sought and found an ethereal quality that underlies at least part of existence. This is especially true in his experimental works.]

Whether the images are of birch and cypress trees, the landscape, or the human form, the sfumato-like tonality of many of the prints ties the subjects together. In “Cypress Trees” for example, the ancient-appearing row of cypress which dominates the upper portion of the photograph is linked to the eerie reflections in the foreground water, not only by pattern, but also by way of the overall muted bromide staining, a signature technique that separates Siverson’s aesthetic from his more traditional photos—works which include scenes of roads disappearing into the prairie terrain and ominous clouds as they encroach the horizon-line that is sandwiched between sky and foreground fields.

Siverson is also a storyteller in his more daring shots, using photo content to produce a narrative strand within works like “Long Time Since You’ve Been Around.” In this work, a person stands in a window flanked by long diaphanous side coverings. The individual is braced by one arm against the wood of the window frame. The interplay of brooding shapes, sheer fabric, and the isolation of the waiting figure conjure images of universal loneliness and disappointment. The stark emptiness of Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” or Robert Frost’s “Acquainted with the Night” come to mind.

Siverson possesses more than one gift, an eye for considerable originality, and one which utilizes more traditional approaches. The stand-out works seem to be those that are recognizably aesthetic adventures. Many a standard photo can be found, but Siverson’s ability to engage on a higher plane of regard in his experimental oeuvre cannot be overlooked.

IF YOU GO:

WHO: Rob Siverson
WHAT: Photography Exhibit
WHERE: The Winery
WHEN: Through February
INFO: (701) 237-9463