PROJECT B is a San Francisco-based collaborative that specializes in the collecting, preserving and publishing of vintage photographs made by unknown photographers. Co-founders Barbara Levine and Paige Ramey are in Houston are doing a residency at The Cherryhurst House in Montrose, and will be exhibiting their newest show Camera Era for the 2014 FotoFest Biennial.
Photographer Unknown, Tattooed Lady, c. 1920 / 2014.
Archival Pigment Print, 30"x40" made from 3.5" x 5.5" object.
Limited edition by PROJECT B
Camera Era deals with our relationship to the camera then and now -- as technology has advanced, cameras have continued to play a constant presence in our lives, allowing us to document the special and everyday moments of life without the worry of taking a "bad" photo. For PROJECT B, it's the flaws in these old, found photos that they've collected over the years that they connect with - the faded, spotted, glued and taped photos that have survived the test of time. Through re-photographing, the duo is able to maintain the surface wear, detail and patina and by printing them large format we are able to see the images from a different point of view.
Photographer Unknown, Elephant Girl, c. 1935 / 2014.
Archival Pigment Print, 16 x20" from 3.5"x2.5" object.
Limited edition by PROJECT B
The first exhibtion, held at The Raven Grill (1916 Bissonnet Street), will be on view from Wednesday, March 19 through Sunday, May 4, 2014 with an opening reception on Wednesday, March 19 from 5-8pm.
For the second half of their tenure in the city, PROJECT B will also be showing another exhibit of Camera Era by appointment only at The Cherryhurst House, Houston’s soon-to-open creative gathering space where the artists are currently in residence, opening Saturday, March 29. For appointments, please contact Barbara Levine by email at: blevine@projectb.com.