Friday, July 27th, 2007, the Indianapolis Art Center (IAC) featured a slide-show jam put on by Art Space 30 and beindypendent.org, showcasing photographer Andy Chen. But you wouldn't have known it unless you had an inside lead, and even then it's questionable. Indyarts.org sent out their weekly email with the specs (a great reason to sign up for it, even better than the discount card you can request). I searched for this event in Nuvo, InTake, on the Indianapolis Art Center website and even on beindypendent.org before realizing that my very own InBox is the place (the only place) where I had seen the event listed.

To make matters a bit more complicated, when I arrived at the Art Center, I stopped and asked at the front table about the location of the Art Space 30 slide jam. I got a blank stare in response. I continued on to explain the nature of the event and said, "It's put on by BeIndypendent.org, the organization supporting the purchase of local art? There are three or four artists here showing slides and talking about their works." At that point, the attendant went to find out some info for me and later directed me to the library. Wrong again. Luckily, I stumbled onto a poster in the hallway that said "Art Space 30 slide jam this way ->". To the Art Center's credit, they also hosted an opening party for the Focus on Fiber Arts Exhibition. I imagine this consumed much of their time and energy, as it was quite the successful event. If I hadn't spent so long looking for the slide jam, I would have loved to have attended it.

Once in the right place for the slide jam, it became obvious that I wasn't the only art interested individual who'd received bad information. Of the few in our intimate gathering, several others had called the Art Center inquiring about the evening's events, only to be told that it had been cancelled. This news came to the surprise of the Art Space rep, singer songwriter Sarah Grain and photographer Andy Chen, all waiting to take the floor.

Despite the hassle involved in locating the event, I still thoroughly enjoyed the art and music presented. Singer Sarah Grain casually strummed her guitar and sang her melodies with a touch of blues and folk inspiration followed by slides of Andy Chen's photography. He called this series "little pieces all together" because, after looking back over his pictures, he noticed an unintended theme. One that I would describe as peaceful movement. Yes, a still photograph can have movement. Just check out whatandysaw.com and you'll know what I mean. Though Chen has an eye for color, movement and natural collision, it's rivaled by his hand for enhancement. His post-click pic techniques are just as (if not more) important as the initial image.

Andy Chen's photography is available for your viewing pleasure at the Irvington Walk in the Park on August 12th, 2007, and at the Penrod Art Fair in September. He is currently preparing a new studio in the Murphy Art Center - Studio 302, viewable by appointment.