Pictures at an exhibition
NH Philharmonic featured in local photographer's work
By Jeff Rapsis
jrapsis@hippopress.com

A picture might be worth a thousand words, but what about notes?

Judge for yourself by checking out a remarkable exhibit of images of the
New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra by photographer Keith Spiro, whose
work is current on display at Chimera Gallery in Nashua. The exhibit,
which runs through April 23, opened this past weekend with a reception
and performance by a chamber ensemble of musicians from the orchestra.

As arranged in the exhibit, Spiro's work comes through as a richly
evocative mixture of abstract images and portrait work featuring the
people who make the music happen. At its best, Spiro's photography
blends both elements, capturing vivid and often startling images of the
musicians in rehearsal in moods that range from intense concentration to
yawn-stifling boredom.

It's all framed by Spiro's eye for the unusual image that anyone might
see but few would notice, never mind capture and preserve on film.
Remarkably, most of the images were achieved using natural light, as
Spiro was forbidden to use a flash or other artificial lighting during
rehearsals and performances.

Spiro's work occasionally extends beyond the two-dimensional; among the
items included in the Chimera exhibit are a clock and an old window
frame, each outfitted with Philharmonic images. The pieces help push the
display beyond the ordinary photos-in-frames world and into the realm of
contemplation and meaning - very appropriate for an exhibit of photos
about music.

Credit goes not only to Spiro but also to the orchestra for opening
itself up to the lens of a non-musician. Spiro haunted rehearsals,
performances, and other Philharmonic gatherings for the past two years
to collect the images currently on display. The result is a special
exhibit of work well worth seeking out and experiencing in person.