Last week I posted one of my usual pieces about an upcoming exhibit. Last Friday during my visit to the D.U.M.B.O neighborhood in Brooklyn for the 2nd Annual NY Photo Festival I stopped in to Farmani Gallery to check out Jesse Diamond's show called "Drive." Boy am I glad I did. I'm not a critic as I prefer to make art as opposed to judge it, but I LOVED "Drive!"

Jesse Diamonds work hit me in a way I hadn't quite experienced before...it was kind of visceral. I'm from LA and grew up with cars as a huge part of my life. When you're behind the wheel of a car for long drives there's a sense of freedom and escape that is very unique to that experience and you recognize it when you feel it again. Jessie's photographs triggered that feeling. So much so that I intend to purchase an image for myself.

If you get a chance go check out the show for yourself. I should warn you that there was a special lighting package in place n the gallery that really enhanced the experience and made you feel like you were behind the wheel of a car. the work resonates without the lights, but the lighting definitely added to the experience.

See below for excerpts from my original post with details about the show and the gallery. Special shout out to Elizbeth Barragan the gallery director who was kind enough to spend ALOT of time talking to me about Jesse's work.

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The series entitled Drive focuses on imagery taken during the late night and documents the driver becoming the passenger to his own stream of consciousness. Lit by street lamps and traffic lights, the night filled with moist landscapes and drizzled car windows; the viewer is gently led on a path to realize the journey is truly the destination.

Diamond's photographs are documentary images. Of this series Drive, Diamond says, “it was developed during those long drives home when the inevitable moods of reflection and contemplation set in. The photographs are my reflection of those feelings."

The Farmani Gallery is proud to feature Diamond’s series Drive, in its debut exhibition and the first New York show for Mr. Diamond. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, May 14, from 6-9PM and coincides with the one-year anniversary of the Farmani Gallery in New York and the New York Photo Festival. The exhibit runs through June 12, 2009. Hossein Farmani states, “We are very proud to feature such a fantastic selection of Jesse’s imagery. We have loved what he has shown for us in Los Angeles and are very excited to exhibit him at our New York gallery, especially during a very special time for us as we celebrate our one-year anniversary. Jesse’s work is a highlighting example of the quality of work we try to present.”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jesse attended Cal Arts where he formally trained as a musician and studied visual arts as a secondary course. After his first trip to Africa in 1994, he decided to concentrate entirely on photography. His works ranged from Sony Records to the Harper Collins publication, “A Day in the Life of the U.S. Armed Forces,” part of the highly successful “Day in the Life” book series. That assignment led his photographs to a featured role on NBC’s Dateline and subsequently, his first solo show.

The Farmani Gallery was established in 2003 and has offices in Los Angeles and New York. Its mission is to discover and cultivate emerging artists among the contemporary photography genre. The Farmani Gallery is the brainchild of the Farmani Group, whom among its many charities, businesses and organizations has created The Lucie Awards, The Lucie Foundation, The International Photography Awards, Px3-Prix De La Photographie Paris and the International Design Awards.

The Farmani Gallery was established in 2003 and has offices in Los Angeles and New York. Its’ mission is to discover and cultivate emerging artists among the contemporary photography genre.
The Farmani Gallery is the brainchild of the Farmani Group, whom among its many charities, businesses and organizations has created The Lucie Awards, The International Photography Awards, Px3-Prix De La Photographie Paris, Art for New York and the London International Creative Competition.

Email: info@farmanigallery.com

East Coast
111 Front Street.
Gallery 212
Brooklyn (dumbo), New York 11201
Phone: 718.578.4478

New York Gallery Director:

Elizabeth Barragan
Email: elizabeth@farmanigallery.com

West Coast:
550 N. Larchmont Boulevard
Suite 100
Los Angeles, California 90004
By Appointment Only
Phone: 310.657.5756

Source: Farmani Gallery

For more info on me visit my official website
www.rickyday.net