Mindy Best can make strange subjects surprisingly beautiful. Her photographs of South Dakota?s vast blue skies, quiet land and cheap attractions are in the Creative Alliance?s 18-piece exhibit, Tourist Trappings.
Best?s grandmother, a South Dakota native, recently passed away and with her, possibly Best?s desire to continue the South Dakota series. The Examiner recently talked with Best about her photos.
Q: What makes South Dakota a worthy subject?
A: Over the past three years, I photographed [the land and tourist attractions.] When I was abroad, teaching in Japan, it was very humid and hazy. But when I got back to South Dakota, it was amazing how open and clear and blue the sky is. I hadn?t seen that in a long time or had that open feeling that comes from being out west. The objects in the photos are all touristy things but are really home to me, things that I loved to go see as a child. I hadn?t had a great time in Japan and couldn?t wait to be home.
Q: How do you compose an image?
A: I pick an object that interests me, but then set it in an interesting area, paying attention to the background. I place the main object in the most compositionally appropriate place for what I?m trying to communicate. For “Steeple,” I tried to photograph [The Little White Church] several times but was not always happy with the full view. I didn?t like the background behind it and wasn?t sure if I was being too simplistic. So I took the most important part, the steeple not the door … “Leader” is another object I tried to shoot over and over,but was never content with the outcome. Last time I was [in South Dakota,] my mom asked me to get a picture of it for her. The sky was just amazing. The clouds were just great. That one was pure timing, and trying over and over again, because I had given up on it.
Q: How does Baltimore?s art scene compare to those in other cities?
A: Baltimore?s is a lot better. In Austin, where I lived for 8 years, music is first, behind that is theater, then film and art is last at the very bottom. Baltimore?s art community is really great … After I was [teaching in Japan,] I was homesick but didn?t want to move back to the middle of the U.S. in Texas and South Dakota. Friends of mine who were in the Creative Alliance program in its first year said ?Come try Baltimore? and I just fell in love with it.
IF YOU GO
Mindy Best: Tourist Trappings
WHERE: Creative Alliance at The Patterson
3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore
WHEN: Through Dec. 22
COST: Free
INFO: 410-276-1651
