Larry Myhre posted a photo:
Red Bluff, California; although it has been reconditioned, the sign may be quite old - the pharmacy has been in the same building since 1906.
Manuel Gual posted a photo:
Route 66 Dreams: Classic Cars Across the American Desert
Description
A cinematic visual journey through the mythic atmosphere of Route 66, featuring vintage cars, abandoned gas stations, neon motels, desert highways, red rock landscapes, and golden sunset light. The series blends classic Americana, road trip nostalgia, open-road freedom, and a slightly surreal retro mood, evoking the timeless romance of travel across the American Southwest.
These images were generated by Artificial Intelligence.
Manuel Gual posted a photo:
Echoes of the Delta: A Visual Journey Through the Soul of the Blues
Description
This collection captures the raw, unyielding spirit of the American Deep South and the enduring legacy of blues music. From the mythical dirt crossroads under a midnight moon to the neon-lit doorways of bustling juke joints, these scenes weave a powerful narrative of hardship, resilience, and musical salvation. You can feel the steady rhythm in the weathered hands strumming a worn acoustic guitar on a wooden porch, hear the soulful wails echoing through smoky recording studios, and observe the quiet, melancholic contemplation in a lonely diner at dawn. It is a visual tribute to the pioneers of rhythm and blues, the rural landscapes where the sorrow songs were born, and the dusty highways that carried those melodies across the country. Every portrait—whether it is a passionate singer pouring his heart into a microphone, lifelong friends sharing a laugh over a quiet evening, or a lone traveler leaning against a vintage pickup truck—embodies the authentic, vibrant pulse of Americana folklore.
These images were generated by Artificial Intelligence.
Toronto-based Kurdish artist Roda Medhat pushes the boundaries of fabric into the realm of sculpture, exploring the ways in which traditional West Asian textiles can be translated into various media. As digital fabrication and 3D scanning cross paths with memory and material, Medhat’s practice asks “how we carry our stories, and what happens when those stories are translated into new, synthetic languages?”
The artist’s new solo exhibition, titled From the Loom, fills Toronto’s Abbozzo Gallery with large-scale sculptures in conversation with a new series of textile works. Known in part for his neon installations, the artist also presents several glowing light-based works encased within glass or acrylic, redolent of patterned Kurdish rugs.
Several of Medhat’s images and symbols—most prominently young boys riding horses and interacting with nature—are sourced from Kurdish children’s books. These icons are woven directly into the surface of each textile by way of an electronic Jacquard machine, further accentuating the contrast between preserved cultural objects and contemporary reconstruction. In the exhibition’s statement, Medhat shares that his work “functions as a distillation of a wider body of research,” including the contemporary subversion of archival materials.
“The Sheep and the Chevrolet,” an anchoring work within the exhibition, reimagines François Balsan’s problematic 1947 ethnographic work of the same title. Pitting bucolic Kurdish life with Western modernism, Balsan’s off-key travelogue presented a stereotypical, highly subjective view of Kurdish culture. Medhat’s bold sculpture invokes 3D printing to construct a monumental sheep composedly sitting atop a small Chevrolet vehicle, offering a playful point of reconceptualization.
From the Loom is on view through May 26. You can find more from the artist on Instagram.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Roda Medhat Subverts Traditional Kurdish Narratives Into Modern Tactile Experiences appeared first on Colossal.
Manuel Gual posted a photo:
The Soul of the Stout: A Journey Through Traditional Pub Culture
Description
A cinematic and evocative photographic collection capturing the essence of traditional pub culture and the artistry of dark beer. From the warm, rain-slicked exterior of historic stone taverns to the precise craft of pouring the perfect pint, this series explores the deep textures and rich atmosphere of classic gathering spaces. Visual highlights include extreme macro shots of cascading nitrogen bubbles, the rich velvety texture of the creamy foam head, raw roasted malts held in weathered hands, and intimate moments shared under dim, candlelit interiors. The imagery seamlessly blends rustic wood elements, polished brass taps, and vibrant neon reflections to evoke a timeless sense of warmth, companionship, and brewing heritage.
Note: This entire photo series was conceptually designed and generated using Artificial Intelligence.
Manuel Gual posted a photo:
Route 66 Dreams: Classic Cars Across the American Desert
Description
A cinematic visual journey through the mythic atmosphere of Route 66, featuring vintage cars, abandoned gas stations, neon motels, desert highways, red rock landscapes, and golden sunset light. The series blends classic Americana, road trip nostalgia, open-road freedom, and a slightly surreal retro mood, evoking the timeless romance of travel across the American Southwest.
These images were generated by Artificial Intelligence.
Keith Macgregor’s newly published volume on Hong Kong’s neon-drenched streets captures the city ablaze with colour and reflection.
City of Lights, published by Blue Lotus Editions, will showcase Hong Kong’s neon heritage with images from the 1990s and 2000s.
See also: ‘It’s disappearing very fast’: Hong Kong’s fading neon heritage shines a spotlight on the craft
Available from June 18, the book – along with an accompanying exhibition at Blue Lotus Gallery in Sheung Wan – spotlights Macgregor’s take on the iconic, fading craft.
“As neon signs are dismantled and familiar streetscapes fade, City of Lights becomes more than a celebration; it is a vital archive,” a Monday press release said. “The publication preserves a visual culture that once shaped Hong Kong’s identity after dark, safeguarding memories that are otherwise slipping away.”
At its height in the 1980s, over 100,000 neon lights shone down on Hong Kong, but only 400 now remain.
“Like so many others, I took neon for granted when I was younger, viewing it as urban wallpaper rather than investigating the creativity, skill, engineering, and imagination needed to create these dynamic, superb works of art,” said Macgregor, a British photographer who lived in the cities until the late 1990s.
A private preview and opening event will be held at Blue Lotus Gallery on June 18 between 5pm and 8pm. A talk with the photographer will take place on June 20 between 2pm and 4pm. The exhibition will run until the end of September.
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