Sal Argenti (Salt of Silver)

Latin for “salt of silver,” Sal Argenti eloquently describes the photographic processes used to make the art within this exhibit. The four artists, all storytellers, explore themes of decay and disintegration, the dualities in nature and in life, history of family and place, and loss as it influences how one perceives an ever-changing world. Using 19th and early 20th century photographic techniques, this collective body of work seeks to remind us of the efforts of past photographic artists in an age where digital technologies have given rise to a new type of image maker. We are reminded that the processes we employ take time, chemistry, historic knowledge, patience, and above all, a creative desire to record our subjects in silver. With an aim for authenticity when marrying a subject to our chosen processes, we give thought to historical precedence. Where might we, and our work, each fall within the canons of photography? With more than 200 years of history and exploration in photography, we, collectively, want our work to fill in the 21st century technological gaps with a nod to the past, a history that should not be forgotten but dusted off and practiced with the same zeal as new and emerging processes.

- Richard Rinker, Dan Russell, Don Jones & Angela Crews