The show “Furries and Despair” at Canessa Gallery opens November 7 in San Francisco.
– Photographs by Ron Lussier and Bobby Pin intermingle the self-perceptions of “furries” and the feral world of modern Detroit, in a two-man show titled, “Furries and Despair” at Canessa Gallery in San Francisco, opening on November 7, 2014.
“Wild is beautiful ”
The show brings together the anthropomorphic world of furries, humans seeking the synthesized perfection of cartoon animals as seen by Lussier with Detroit-born Pin’s vision of an
Furries define themselves as people who are passionate in bringing together anthropomorphic art, cartoons and costumes. Many but not all impersonate animals, real or imagined, by dressing in “fursuits,” akin to athletic team mascots. Others may only add a tail to their pants or ears to their hats. Although the furry community often incorporates sexuality, Lussier’s photographs are family friendly, exploring the emotions and sense of identities of its members and their partners.
Sharing a confession that is ties to their furriness humanizes Lussier’s subjects. Many reveal a strong self-association to the cartoon. “My only domestic quality is that I live in a house,” declares a dog adorned with patchwork fur, ears and a tail, while a My Little Pony look alike states, “I’m a pretty, pretty Pegasus. So watch out!”
Architectural anthropomorphism is explored in Bobby Pin’s Despair collection of today’s Detroit where no self-realized colorful animals or furries would choose to live. With Detroit, Pin’s work gives homage to abandoned monuments to human progress morphing back to wilderness. Haunting factories, graffiti art, decaying roofs and rusted automobiles reminds us that man’s creations, when left to its demise provide no challenge to nature.
Pin’s photographs with its element of luminism is characterized by effects of light in landscapes, honors and gives witness to a recent more glorious past. Graffiti artists naturally gravitate to Detroit, its abandoned buildings are the perfect canvas to primitivism and urban art. Pin’s work uncovers many of these artists’ hidden treasures, giving the art a second life and a rebirth of its own, which is doomed to disappear with the future demolishing of the buildings.
Pin’s photographs with its element of luminism is characterized by effects of light in landscapes, honors and gives witness to a recent more glorious past. Graffiti artists naturally gravitate to Detroit, its abandoned buildings are the perfect canvas to primitivism and urban art. Pin’s work uncovers many of these artists’ hidden treasures, giving the art a second life and a rebirth of its own, which is doomed to disappear with the future demolishing of the buildings.
About the artists
Ron Lussier’s recent works focus on what he calls “tribes” whose cultures are shaped by shared passions, from dog owners to nudists and to Burning Man participants. He seeks to incorporate the thoughts of his subjects in their images, adding subjective self-perception to the otherwise objectivist world of photography. Lussier graduated from UMass Amherst, with a Bachelor of Science emphasizing computer art.
Lussier’s previous shows:
• 1989 – Manchester Museum of Art – Photographic Visions
• 1992 – Monterey Peninsula Museum of Art – Best New California Photographers
Bobby Pin’s BFA from California College of the Arts emphasized film production and cinematography. His work incorporates a strong sense of composition and light. “I love the challenge of telling the whole story in one frame,” he said, “I want people to feel the same emotion I feel when they view my photographs. Even though these are isolated images they incorporate story-boarding.”
Pin’s work has appeared in Nexus Magazine Jan./Feb 2014, Huffington Post April 24, 2014, Parade Magazine August 18, 2014 & Burning Man Blog Jan. 10, 2014. website: http://www.bobbyp1n.com .