“The Light in Between” is an exhibition in which photography is embraced to the fullest extent. From capturing the “Fiesta de la Santa Cruz,” where people from all walks of life climb a hill toward a cross to represent their devotion to their faith, to viewing the legacy of a fiddler and imagining the beauty of his song that has enchanted the audience behind him, this photography-focused gallery transports viewers across various moments throughout the decades, highlighting people that may appear mundane or go otherwise unnoticed.
Alan Govenar, whose photography comprises the exhibit, is a writer, poet, novelist, playwright, photographer, folklorist and filmmaker, and he holds a Ph.D. in arts and humanities from UTD. The gallery spans 50 years of Govenar’s work, ranging from photos depicting natural landscapes to those that show marginalized communities. For Govenar, his work in photography tells stories that are representations of how he views the world. One such story lies in his inspiration for the gallery’s title: a photo opportunity on a drive to Wortham, Texas.
“[The] experience of seeing a moment I want to photograph happens a lot,” Govenar said. “It was early in the morning, and the light was just coming up and it illuminated this scene. [The] photograph [served as the] metaphor of ‘The Light in Between.’”
Much of Govenar’s work represents visible elements, he said, including commonalities such as people, places or things. Yet much of his work also represents themes that are intangible to the human eye, such as engagement and social change.
“My projects that I undertake are ones that focus on people who are often marginalized, misunderstood or neglected,” Govenar said. “I am drawn to these margins of society and the ordinariness of life. That is where I think the deepest meanings reside.”
The photographs showcase many different locations and themes, not committing to one particular style or method and employing documentaries, borrowed images, moving images and words. Marilyn Waligore, curator of the gallery and professor of visual and performing arts, said that Govenar’s work “moves beyond” the still photograph, connecting with audiences through its unique styles.
“If you don’t like the blues, [perhaps] you like fiddlers,” Waligore said. “[Govenar] has a fairly expansive interest in different kinds of cultural expression.”
Waligore said Govenar challenges the notion of value, or what artists and viewers believe is appropriate subject matter for art pieces to depict, by capturing moments that are overlooked and sharing them with the rest of the world. Govenar began his photo career with the topic of tattoos, which held a different meaning in the past.
“He did his dissertation on the tattoo, which at that time was not [common],” Waligore said. “In a way he was ahead of the curve, in terms of thinking [of] a method of creative expression [while] being drawn to it and [understanding] the history.”
Govenar said his interest began with words from a tattoo artist named Stoney St. Claire. Describing him as “poignant” and “funny,” Govenar said Claire’s art came from his storytelling, which mesmerized audiences.
“The photographs and the storytelling happen concurrently,” Govenar said. “In terms of the work that I do in visual media, its photography and film, but also the ways in which storytelling and words also [create] pictures.”
Govenar said his photographs cover many topics typically shied away from because of their sensitive nature in other art displays, such as human suffering. To him, striking the balance with his unconventional art lies in his priorities: always prioritizing the subject over the photo.
“I saw a man on the street, and he looked like he was dead,” Govenar said. “I had a camera, and you have the choice to take the photograph or call 911, and I called 911. A human life exceeds the importance of [a] photograph.”
A key element in photography stems from encapsulating a wide range of emotions. Govenar said that instead of honing in on a specific emotional experience, he aims for an organic experience where viewers experience a range of feelings, a hope he shares for all students who come to view his gallery.
“I hope that the power of art is transformative for those who experience it,” Govenar said. “I hope by going through this exhibition, students can feel empowered that they too can embark on a journey of art and creativity.”
Exhibitions and galleries shine spotlight onto artists’ bodies of work, allowing viewers to learn about the technical elements of art as well as the artist’s personal history and creative intentions. Waligore said that the learning does not just stop at learning about the artist, but extends to learning about what each individual gallery visitor personally values and connects with. “The Light Between” provides that very opportunity.
“When you study images that you are drawn to, you learn a lot about yourself,” Waligore said. “We learn something about the artist, something about the subject, but we also learn a little bit about ourselves.”
The SP/N gallery will feature Govenar’s photography until Saturday, March 1. The gallery is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
“There are millions of images created every day, [in the process] we lose track of more of the details,” Waligore said. “[The] beauty of experiencing exhibitions firsthand [allows] you to become more immersed.”
