De Santos Gallery Presents: Evolutions
Photographs by Cara Barer

Opening Reception: Saturday September 16th at 6:00pm-8:30pm
Reception with the artist at 6:30pm

About the Exhibition

Evolutions

A random encounter on Drew Street with a discarded Houston Yellow Pages was the primary inspiration for this project.  After photographing that book on a downtown sidewalk, I began the search for more books, and more methods to change their appearance.

My process is an attempt to blur the line between object, sculpture, and photography. As I begin, I consider the contents of each volume.  I didn’t spend more than a few seconds on “Windows 95,” but the “New Century Dictionary of the English Language,” is a treasure that, because of its fascinating illustrations, and archaic examples, saved it from taking on a new form.   Sculpting segued to thoughts on obsolescence and the relevance of libraries in this century.

My photographs are primarily a documentation of a physical evolution.  I have changed a common object into sculpture in a state of flux.  The way we choose to research and find information is also in an evolution.   I hope to raise questions about these changes, the ephemeral and fragile nature in which we now obtain knowledge, and the future of books.

Cara Barer

About the DeSantos Gallery

DeSantos Gallery provides innovative ideas about photography, while maintaining an outstanding reputation for integrity and customer satisfaction.   The gallery is owned and directed by Luis and Gemma DeSantos, natives of Spain and   long-time residents of Houston.  

The DeSantos conceived and built the gallery with Houston architect, Fernando Brave who recently received the 2005 American Institute of Architects Design Award for his building design.   The DeSantos Gallery specializes in traditional and new media photography from contemporary European and Asian photographers, including Anna Halm-Schudel, Roman Loranc, Sang-Nam Park, and Kimiko Yoshida.   The gallery also has work available by North American and Latin American artists, Clyde Butcher, Linda Butler, and Edgar Moreno, among others.