Syracuse University

Light Work hosts exhibition of B&W photos from artist Jon Reis' 'Aviation' series

Jessica Heckman
(315) 443-1300

Light Work is presenting an exhibition featuring the photographic work of Ithaca-based photographer Jon Reis. "By the Way: Two Decades of America Observed 1973-1993″ is on view in the Robert B. Menschel Photography Gallery in Syracuse University's Schine Student Center.

This exhibition features black-and-white photographs from Reis' "Aviation" series. Many of the pictures were taken directly on the premises of the airports Reis photographed. This is in part due to his travel mode. He piloted his own plane to many of the airports and once there was without a car. He flew in, photographed and flew out again. But his speedy travel mode did not translate into rushed images. The captured moments communicate life at its best, spiced with a smidgen of humor, such as the two women chatting while resting their heads on a plane at Accomack County Airport, or a father sharing a happy moment with his toddler son as they inspect a Cessna airplane at Tompkins County Airport.

Light Work has supported this project since the early 1970s-Reis received two Light Work Grants and was featured in two early Light Work exhibitions. Light Work also supported Reis in his application for a New York State Council on the Arts Conduit Grant, which he received in 1986. This substantial grant enabled him to photograph dozens of municipal airports and resulted in exhibitions at the following airports: Albany County, Syracuse/Hancock International, Rochester/Monroe County, Greater Buffalo International and Ithaca/Tompkins County. In 2009, Reis generously donated an additional 93 hand-printed silver gelatin images and photo postcards to the Light Work Collection, bringing his total of images to 112.

Reis continues to work actively as an artist and runs a photography business in Ithaca. In addition to the Light Work Collection, his work can be viewed at http://www.jonreis.com and at http://www.arttrail.com/artists/REIS.html.

Light Work will host a gallery talk and reception on Friday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. to celebrate this exhibition.

Gallery hours are Sunday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (except SU holidays) and by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call (315) 443-1300. Both the exhibition and gallery talk are free and open to the public. Light Work invites groups and individuals to schedule tours and gallery talks of the exhibition and facility.