Angle Gallery
May 2012
Austin Chernich
Generational Layering

I have always been interested in understanding how the experiences my relatives lived generations ago might influence my experiences today. Through a juxtaposition of photographs my grandfather took when he was my age with my work today, I have been able to create a sort of “Generational Layering.” I am graphically creating a correlation between my relatives lives and my own. When arranged in a certain sequence the layers begin to thicken and a collective personal view emerges.
The photographic process can mimic time in interesting ways. Many think of a photograph as something frozen, portraying a single moment. However I find that applying techniques of Generational Layering opens new temporal depths. By layering images of different moments in history, time begins to meld into one stream of thought. We can see a history of events, where both exist in the moment of creation, being past and present at the same time. Experimenting with this process has given me a greater understanding of the conceptual side of my work layering both inside and outside of the camera with this process that speaks to my idea.
Opening Reception, Thursday May 3, 2011- 5:00 to 9:00pm.
On view through June 2nd Hours Wednesday through Saturdays- Noon to 5:00pm
And by appointment.
The Angle Gallery is located at 312 S. Washington Street, Seattle, WA. 98104

Artist Statement: I first came across the story of Hadrian and Antinous a couple of years ago while researching the history of homosexuality in art. What surprised me about their relationship was not that a Roman Emperor would take a young male lover (pretty unremarkable for a Roman Emperor, apparently). Rather, I was struck by the sheer scale and public nature of Hadrian’s devotion to the boy. After Antinous drowned in the Nile River, Hadrian publicly mourned the loss by founding an Egyptian city in his name, erecting statues of him across the empire, and proclaiming him a god. Worship of Antinous became widespread, and a cult following lasted well into the fourth century.






