Sarah Bowen Gallery opens the fall season with an exhibit of photographs and projections titled “It Takes One to Know One” by Manitowoc, Wisconsin artists John Shimon and Julie Lindemann. As a collaborative team, their work elegantly captures the flavor of the landscape and the quiet, melancholy realities of American rural and small town life. Their highly stylized photographs simultaneously evaluate and elevate their subjects as portraits of obscure Midwestern denizens, unnervingly comfortable with their small town identity, are rendered in inappropriately substantial platinum. 

It’s summertime in the Bay. D-boys are on the block in their crisp white – T’s cautiously watching every passing ride. Longhaired youngsta’s shake their dreads to the cities bustling soundtrack as tricked out Buick Regals and Oldsmobile Cutless Supremes smash up and down the street blastin’ the latest hyphy joint. Moments later you hear a sweet but street song broadcasting from the speakers of a purple - painted scraper. The melodic voice and familiar tune capture you. The music ends as the DJ interrupts. The song is entitled “Trying To Be Your Girl.” The muse of the ode that spoke straight to your heart? That answer is a little more complex.

The Adoration of Charity
Angela Costi
 

She is more than a passing gaze

more than a smile in a room of strangers

more than a substantial donation to a worthy cause

within the folds of her demure gown

she stores her generosity

warm and ripened for various occasions

to champagne toast those zillion zeros.

At night is when she really swells

in pillows flooded with tears

a gush of love to hug and cuddle all sleep.