Urban Views: Two Perspectives of the Same Landscape
March 6 through April 10, 2010

Chris Faust and Michael A. Shapiro, two photographers from the urban setting of Minneapolis and St. Paul, have for many years photographed the cultural landscape. They have assembled an exhibition of work that examines that culturescape with as full a range of aesthetics as one will find.

It seems obvious to make photographs of the familiar; but, in practice, it is the most difficult to make fresh and interesting.  For many years Chris has delved into the "Cultural Landscape" and has experimented with the notions of the transitional landscape, and the conflict between the built landscape and underlying "natural" landscape. Michael's work emerges from the tried and true "street photography" practice. Yet he goes beyond simply capturing moments on the street as they present themselves by combining these images with his exploration of the contextual portrait. These street portraits intimately illustrate the stories of the people one face at a time.

Chris Faust's photographs are popular with collectors and curators across the Midwest. His images are true to his Midwestern roots. Chris' work documents the landscape with an eye for powerful composition with social/environmental commentary. His work has been shown at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center and Weisman Museum along with numerous independent galleries and college and university galleries across the country. He is represented in museum, corporate, and private collections. He has received two McKnight Grants, a Busch Fellowship and various other grants and awards. His work can be viewed at www.chrisfaustphoto.com.

Michael A. Shapiro is a rising star on the collectors' horizon. Although he started taking photos at a very early age, the lure of music and poetry took him on a different creative path until about 12 years ago when he returned to his first creative passion. His photographic eye is influenced by his experience and knowledge of both music and literature. Michael has traveled to the Arctic, Europe and across the United States to capture people in their settings. His work carries a strong message about the human spirit in the context of physical circumstances and location. His photographs have been shown across the United States and are represented in private and public collections around the world. Michael's work can be viewed at www.michaelashapiro.com.