Description

Location: via Zoom, Reno, Nevada

Contact: gsn@gsnv.org

GSN Virtual Talk & Foundation Christmas Auction:  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

Zoom Opens @ 6:15 PM,  Auction Results @ 6:30 PM and Talk begins immediately after

(Zoom meeting details can be found below.)

Guest Speaker:  Kelly Cluer, Kinross Gold

Title:  “Comstock Rephoto Project:  Chasing Iconic Views of the Bonanza Years” 

ABSTRACT:

The plan is to showcase preliminary rephotography of late 19th century views in the Comstock region, from mines, to cities to mills, resulting from pandemic boredom.

We will start the chase with Timothy H. O’Sullivan, whom many of you will know as a key photographer attached to the Wheeler geologic surveys in the west. O’Sullivan’s sharp and witty photographs adorn many of the early survey monographs, and are now considered art. He was active on the Comstock in 1867-68, as the survey party over-wintered there, producing some exceptional images, and is even credited with the first photographic image from the depths of an underground mine. Above ground O’Sullivan seemed to enjoy shooting into the sun, and one day I may forgive him.

The major journey, however, is following one Carleton E. Watkins around the camp relocating his 1876 and 1878 (peak mine production period) camera positions. Watkins is largely unknown outside museum and fine art circles. When he is remembered, it is for his incomparable 1860s Yosemite photographs – photos that worked to preserve the area, and later inspired Ansel Adams, among others. However, having brought his photographic kit from a San Francisco base over the mountains to Nevada on a Central Pacific flatcar, he managed to produce at least 83 mammoth plate images and numerous other smaller format and stereo photos of the Comstock. He was likely working for the rail road and other commercial clients, including the Carson and Tahoe Lumber and Fluming Company. These clients used photos made by Watkins in their promotional material. Watkins produced amazing photos of many of the mines and mills active at the time of his visits, probably on spec, hoping to sell prints to their owners. Watkin’s legacy to the Comstock region is one of the most coherent, comprehensive and technically magnificent photographic collections known from the Bonanza era.

By rephotographing these views we can create a virtual time machine and see interesting changes over 140+ years, as well as some compelling historic connections. Please tune in!

 Date/Time: December 16, 2020 6:15 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86254247149?pwd=aWNYTXRXay8wUElGNEZKVTU4NW5vQT09

Meeting ID: 862 5424 7149

Passcode: Auction

 

One tap mobile: +16699006833,,86254247149#,,,,,,0#,,8684049# US (San Jose)

Phone in by your location:

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 862 5424 7149

Passcode: 8684049

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcfBw92gBs

Details

12/16/2020 18:15:0012/16/2020 18:15:00America/Los_AngelesGSN Holiday Meeting – Wednesday, Dec. 16th – Auction results & Kelly CluerGSN Virtual Talk & Foundation Christmas Auction:  WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020 Zoom Opens @ 6:15 PM,  Auction Results @ 6:30 PM and Talk begins immediately after (Zoom meeting details can be found below.) Guest Speaker:  Kelly Cluer, Kinross Gold Title:  “Comstock Rephoto Project:  Chasing Iconic Views of the Bonanza Years”  ABSTRACT: The plan is to showcase preliminary rephotography of late 19th century views in the Comstock region, from mines, to cities to mills, resulting from pandemic boredom. We will start the chase with Timothy H. O’Sullivan, whom many of you will know as a key photographer attached to the Wheeler geologic surveys in the west. O’Sullivan’s sharp and witty photographs adorn many of the early survey monographs, and are now considered art. He was active on the Comstock in 1867-68, as the survey party over-wintered there, producing some exceptional images, and is even credited with the first photographic image from the depths of an underground mine. Above ground O’Sullivan seemed to enjoy shooting into the sun, and one day I may forgive him. The major journey, however, is following one Carleton E. Watkins around the camp relocating his 1876 and 1878 (peak mine production period) camera positions. Watkins is largely unknown outside museum and fine art circles. When he is remembered, it is for his incomparable 1860s Yosemite photographs – photos that worked to preserve the area, and later inspired Ansel Adams, among others. However, having brought his photographic kit from a San Francisco base over the mountains to Nevada on a Central Pacific flatcar, he managed to produce at least 83 mammoth plate images and numerous other smaller format and stereo photos of the Comstock. He was likely working for the rail road and other commercial clients, including the Carson and Tahoe Lumber and Fluming Company. These clients used photos made by Watkins in their promotional material. Watkins produced amazing photos of many of the mines and mills active at the time of his visits, probably on spec, hoping to sell prints to their owners. Watkin’s legacy to the Comstock region is one of the most coherent, comprehensive and technically magnificent photographic collections known from the Bonanza era. By rephotographing these views we can create a virtual time machine and see interesting changes over 140+ years, as well as some compelling historic connections. Please tune in!  Date/Time: December 16, 2020 6:15 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86254247149?pwd=aWNYTXRXay8wUElGNEZKVTU4NW5vQT09 Meeting ID: 862 5424 7149 Passcode: Auction   One tap mobile: +16699006833,,86254247149#,,,,,,0#,,8684049# US (San Jose) Phone in by your location:         +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)         +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 862 5424 7149 Passcode: 8684049 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcfBw92gBsReno, NV
Event StartsEvent Ends
12/16/202012/16/2020
All Day Event
6:15pm6:15pm