Art at the Bain Water Works gallery
This installation was most memorable to the eye. The entire floor of the room was covered in porcelin balls that were used in the plant water filtration process. However photographing the room in an interesting way was problematic because the room was brightly lit by daylight coming in the 4 big windows, even more so where the sunlight hit the floor balls directly. Also the balls were very similar in color to the walls. If I exposed for the room there would have been little tonal range except for the sunlit balls and rear window that would have been washed out with over exposure.
I did 2 things to make the shot more dynamic. First I framed the shot with the camera just inches off the floor to make the near balls as large as possible. Second, I set my exposure on the near sunlit balls and underexposed by 2 stops. This is the result. The balls dominate the image and have a wide range of light while the room that was way underexposed goes very dark. This way the dark room compliments the sunlit balls as opposed to competing with them. The overall dark photo looks nothing like what the bright room looked like to the eye but for me the photo better reflects the conceptual way the mind sees the ball room.
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery
Another grass installation: I was able to add some lighting drama with my flashlight painting.
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery
Scott, Ryan and I walked around the building exploring. I shot this this from below as they went to see if the back door was open.
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery
The Bain plant used to gorge vast amounts of electricity to run the giant pumps and motors. That power line was pulled when the plant closed years ago. For the project, the artists brought in a bit of power for installations like this one with long extension cords plugged into a temporary pole outlet.
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery
What else in the water works but a fountain with a continous stream of water sitting amid an island of rubble.
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery.
These 3 meters became an installation with some spotlighting from one of the artists. I added a touch more light with flashlight painting on the blue door frame.
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery
This is not a Bain project installation--just one of the impressive dead machines still installed. Must have been something to see this place when it was running.
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery
Even without the art installations there was plenty to shoot at this modern ruin.
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery
One artist did several intallations involving turf grass. Green yes sustainable though?
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery
Mid afternoon and the Bain was hopping with art experience hunters. I've had a lens baby for several months now but still find it hard to use with my style. For me it was the right choice for this scene and I managed to get the sweet focus spot I wanted. I will keep trying Sue.
Should you care, the left clock face is a water depth gauge and the right one is a wash water gauge that shows "inches rise per minute" whaever that means.
Art in the Bain Water Works gallery
No installation here but I made it my own for a moment with a touch of flashlight painting of the silver paper towel dispenser. I framed this from the side so that the mirror was filled with the strong window light. And I used a tripod and very small aperature to give me a couple seconds to paint the dispenser.
Art in the Bain Water Works Gallery
Visitors upon entry got processed in the office where nonsense typing and form filing took place. You had to sign a release form because there is so much peeling lead paint and safety issues.
