A: Is for "IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ALEXANDER"

Being airborne must be like being reborn. As earthbound creatures, our thoughts and visions are quite understandably linked to the physical plane, and we ignore or at least minimize transcendental experience. Pilots, astronauts, undersea explorers, even mountain climbers, are fortunate. They must learn to function in alien environments and to experience unique perspectives. Seeing from above is not consistent with seeing from the ground. But when one flies and photographs, as I do, at low altitudes, shadows lift objects from the ground, and, instead of cold geometric patterns on the earth's surface, intimacy is regained. There is the unmistakable awareness of warmth of contact and valid awareness of inter-relationships. "Marilyn Bridges"


On APRIL 19th "IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ALEXANDER" opens at Throckmorton Fine Art located at 145 East 57th Street, 3rd floor, between Lexington and 3rd Avenue. Marilyn Bridges is an experienced pilot and renowned black and white aerial photographer, who has been producing and publishing an unparalleled archive of aerial photography of ancient sites and antiquities for a quarter century. Now focusing on the ancient cities and monuments of Anatolia (Asia Minor). Western Anatolia became abundant in Classical sculpture and architecture beginning in the 6th century BC and through this terrain passed historical figures such as Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cleopatra, and Hadrian, to name a few. The landscape was marked upon by Greeks, Persians, Romans,and more. All of whom left a rich and diverse record of ruins for archaeologists to uncover. Bridges’ photographs and accompanying book portray the scenes and stories from this memorable time allowing us to look back across centuries,as if in a dream.

These aerial photographs offer a relevant documentation of the past. While reflecting a contemporary perspective combined with the aesthetic sensibilities of the artist. To obtain these photographs, Bridges incorporated her unique skills of flying low near stall speeds over uneven terrain. She says, “By directing the aircraft and the camera, I can make the best use of raking sunlight and shadows to coax dimension from the Earth’s surface.” http://www.marilynbridges.com/

While researching Ms. Bridges I discovered she worked on a book called "Markings: Aerial Views of Sacred Landscapes". This is one of the photographs from the book. I have always loved Black and White photography ever since I was introduced to the works of Ansel Adams Ms. Bridges makes me fall in love all over again. It is a F.A.C.T that I will see this show and I recommend you do too. You have till June 16th. See you there!