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Deborah Bergman

  • Secrets of the Summer Solstice
  • Secrets 2
  • The Touchable Show
  • To Expand Let Go
  • Just Energy
  • Black Meets Water
  • Cosmology
  • The Curve
  • A Eulogy
  • Past Events and Details
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Deborah
Historic photograph of an original turbine from the WPA-built Bonneville Dam with the men who made it (and whose presence also very cleverly provides all-important scale). Image courtesy Bonneville Dam Authority.

Historic photograph of an original turbine from the WPA-built Bonneville Dam with the men who made it (and whose presence also very cleverly provides all-important scale). Image courtesy Bonneville Dam Authority.

What and Where: "To Expand Let Go"

January 03, 2015

For those collectors and viewers who appreciate the mechanics behind the abstraction:

These are abstract images of an original turbine of the Bonneville Dam, which spans two man-made islands on each bank of the Columbia River about 45 minutes outside Portland, Oregon.  The dam is located in both Oregon and Washington (the river makes up the border between the two states).  This original (WPA-era) turbine can be found displayed outside the Visitor's Center on the Oregon side, right off of Interstate 84.

The images in this series were captured in three different shoots and seasons and with two different lenses. The circular orb shapes in some of these shots are bokeh, a light effect that occurs at certain apertures on certain lenses and in specific light and weather conditions. In this case, I was shooting (usually) straight up or ahead into the turbine blades when rain started to fall late morning at the very tail end of June (that's something that happens fairly often in the Pacific Northwest, of course) and I just kept shooting up into the rain. Given the technical settings and the angle and direction of the sun (more or less overhead), the raindrops falling and dripping from the edges of the turbine blades registered as clusters of orbs.  

Of course, when I mention this to some, they say, "well, I think there is a little more going on than that." But technically, in these shots--that's what's going on. I just happened to keep shooting when the rain started. In a few images, you can actually find tiny droplets of rain falling in mid-air, or streaking past the steel turbine blades in fine little lines. I like that.

The photo above, courtesy of the Bonneville Dam Authority, is an historic 1930s image of the original turbine and the team that built it. (The original turbines have more recently been replaced by the more contemporary revision that can also be found on many major hydroelectric and water retention dams if you visit them, which I do.)

You will find images of the actual turbine in situ in parts two and three of this series, Connect The Dots and Sister Turbine.

Need more info?  Drop me a line, and if I can provide it--I will.

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MERC Rx POP Up BloG is ON 3 20 2019

For the remainder of March 2019 (or thereabouts), this space is dedicated to the Merc Rx Pop-Up Blog Ritual. Feel free to stop by and if you like…and to share. Please note that as of now these posts will NOT appear in the main site navigation (since I’m leveraging my own existing gallery site for this petite speak-easy of sorts). Access them via their URL, or just hitting “Trail of Blogcrumbs” on the Main Nav.


Latest Posts

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Artist's Talk Conversation Hosted by Matthew Boyes:  How Did You Get Here?
Jan 6, 2019
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Inaugurating Cielo Home’s Saturday Salon series with this Jan. 5 pop-up conversation including some terrific questions. The work behind the event is Secrets of the Summer Solstice.

Jan 6, 2019
January 5 Salon with Interior Designer and Ballet Dancer Matthew Boyes
Jan 6, 2019
January 5 Salon with Interior Designer and Ballet Dancer Matthew Boyes
Jan 6, 2019
Jan 6, 2019
Secrets of the Summer Solstice
Apr 7, 2017
Secrets of the Summer Solstice
Apr 7, 2017

https://deborah-bergman.squarespace.com/config/pages/52fbd1a2e4b0707a0cfd301a

Apr 7, 2017
May 16, 2016
Silk, The Transparency Scale.
May 16, 2016
May 16, 2016
Turbines, turbans, and drums.
May 13, 2016
Turbines, turbans, and drums.
May 13, 2016
May 13, 2016
The Touchable Show:  See and Feel the Journey From Wall to Silk and Back Again
Apr 28, 2016
The Touchable Show: See and Feel the Journey From Wall to Silk and Back Again
Apr 28, 2016

I am so happy to announce that my first collection of limited edition fine arts wraps and scarves hand printed on hand hemmed silk is now debuting at Physical Element at NW 12th and Glisan in Portland, OR April 29 and 30 2016.  Please join us as wearer becomes curator.  These images hand printed and hemmed in the USA, are deep explorations of the power of water, and first printed in the California wildfire zone while the smell of smoke hung in the air. To the wearer, they bring not only beauty, elegance and versatility, but also a message of regeneration.

Apr 28, 2016
To Expand Let Go: October 17 - Dec 1 Visage Eyewear/Gallery
Sep 30, 2015
To Expand Let Go: October 17 - Dec 1 Visage Eyewear/Gallery
Sep 30, 2015

Please join me, other friends old and new, Visage Gallery and the Theo Eyewear Trunk Show in October in the beautiful, and now rapidly-developing Pearl District of Portland, OR. I am so happy to be showing my work here. The elegant space is just right for these images, the light is exquisite, there is a rad art and play waterpark outside and last but not least the staff is badass.   

Opening Reception 11-5 Saturday October 17.  1046 NW Johnson Avenue.  Will we see you?

 

Sep 30, 2015
Aug 12, 2015
New Work
Aug 12, 2015
Aug 12, 2015
To Expand Let Go: Blue Sky Gallery April 2
Mar 4, 2015
To Expand Let Go: Blue Sky Gallery April 2
Mar 4, 2015
Mar 4, 2015
Feb 1, 2015
The Ottoman
Feb 1, 2015
Feb 1, 2015
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