Martha's next show

Instant Gratification (LINK)
Polaroid photography of Martha Duerr
October 2006
Chez Marche Cafe
Main Street, Waupaca, WI 54981

Martha Duerr is a Waupaca, Wisconsin native now living in the Twin Cities where she attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in the Spring of 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Arts. After a two and a half year stint as a preschool teacher at Fraser School, an inclusive school where children with special needs and children with typical needs learn together in the same classrooms, she embarked upon her current adventure of raising her own daughter. Elise is now six months old and is her mom's model, accomplice, and assistant as she makes art in the backyard and travels the city taking pictures. Martha's current work reflects her love of instant results along with her total rejection of technology. As the world of photography moves forward into the digital age, it only makes sense that Martha would make a contrary motion into the vast world of obscure, increasingly expensive and hard to find films and cameras. This show (Instant Gratification, Chez Marche Cafe, October 3rd to 23rd) showcases one such relic of the photographic past, the Polaroid.

“Polaroid is the new digital.” says Duerr. “No other photo medium so effectively captures slices of life in such a permanent, compact, beautiful way. The image cannot be reproduced in its original form, and neither can the moment it contains. The square framing of my work is meant to accentuate the square image and the photos are mounted directly on the board so as to retain the unique look of the Polaroid complete with its signature white border.”

Instant Gratification will be at the Chez Marche beginning October 3rd and the artist will be present at an opening reception on Saturday October 7th from 3pm to 5pm.

Roadkill

I saw a styrofoam cup tumble out of the back of a rubbish truck today. I was driving behind the speeding vehicle. The cup bounced a few times before meeting a brutal death at the front wheel of the car behind me. I saw everything through my rear view mirror. The cup never stood a chance.

A few months back a I saw a suitcase fly out from the back of a pickup truck on the opposite side of the freeway. A side wind or poor packing broke the case free and she took flight. The suitcase hit the ground, burst open and the clothing within scattered itself across three lanes of westbound Interstate 94. Other motorists swerved to avoid lethal trousers and hairdryers that hurled themselves under the wheels of any car in their path. The owner of the suitcase and his passenger looked out their window as their lost belongings danced on the asphalt. They slowed to maybe 60mph and continued to glance back, probably contemplating whether to pull over and try to gather up the items, but that would be suicide. They wouldn't have stood a chance.

Free stuff

If I want free steel, and I do, I drive to the Ratner Steel plant on Hwy 280 in St. Paul. It's about 3 miles from our house. They have a recycling dumpster full of huge sheets of mild carbon steel. If I could lift them and find a use for them I would.

If I want free bricks, and I do, I drive to any of the loft developments in the twin cities area. Old brick warehouse buildings are being converted into modern and surprisingly not too expensive living spaces. During the transformation from storage facilities to beautiful loft apartments the buildings are punched full of holes so windows can be installed. Those orphaned bricks, each so unique, will be used to build an outdoor fireplace in our garden.

If I want free wood, and I do, I have multiple places I can visit and be sure to leave with bucket loads of 1/4” plywood, oak and pine two by fours or old maple tongue and groove flooring. I never steal, only take what has been thrown away by others. I save. I reclaim. Half the thrill of the score is getting out into the city, treading where many wouldn't, reliving boyhood adventures and generally enjoying the sweetness of a deal. It's not about the money though. I don't know what it's about, yet.

Scanner

The Dunne’s finally bought a scanner. Martha is more of a film photographer than digital photographer so it was an inevitable but long overdue purchase for the young family. I’ve spent the last few days scanning everything ((LINK), (LINK), (LINK), (LINK), (LINK), (LINK)) but the kitchen sink and my arse.

I even shelled out for the two year $10 warranty out of fear that the machine would implode mere months into its life at our house. Electronics have a nasty habit for breaking promises of longevity and loyal service. My iPod rolled over and died after only six months. I know it can be fixed but sometimes I just feel like putting it in a vise and ending the pain. Now it waits in purgatory until a time I see fit to take it to the Apple store at the mall. It’s having a good think about what it did.