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HomeNewsArchivesBELLA BLU SHOWING ALAN KLEIN'S CALYPSO IMAGES

BELLA BLU SHOWING ALAN KLEIN'S CALYPSO IMAGES

April 13, 2004 – The art show opening on Friday at Alexander's Bella Blu showcases the timely theme of carnival, as has been the April tradition for several years. This one invites the viewer behind the lens and into the mind's eye of the V.I. Carnival Committee's official photographer, Alan Klein.
"Calypso Emotion!" is the title of the exhibition, which opens with a meet-the-artist reception from 5 to 7 p.m., and calypsonians, both international and local, are Klein's subject matter.
Gallery St. Thomas owner Claire Ochoa, who coordinates the monthly Bella Blu shows, says Klein opted "to exhibit his calypsonian collection over his traditional carnival photographs because he had never seen an exhibit dedicated to the musical performers." He's showing 45 images shot at two performance events last year – the International Show Heineken Calypso Revue and the Coors Light V.I. Calypso Competition.
Calypso shows are so dynamic, Klein says, that he shoots "very tight and up close, looking to capture the intense emotion of the performers." He interacts with the artists, anticipating their moves for the perfect moment to be frozen in time. But a sharp eye and keen timing are only a part of his own art, he says; he continues to work with film cameras, and much of the creative process occurs in his studio darkroom.
"I have total control," he explains, "from taking the image to developing the film to cropping the picture for the maximum impact."
Klein, who got his first camera at the age of 6, is primarily self-taught. He enjoyed a career as a commercial travel photographer in Europe and was named a Master Photographer by the American Society of Media Photographers. For the V.I. Carnival Committee he has produced about 3,000 pictures.
In addition to working as a photographer, Klein loves to teach, both one-on-one and in community college courses. He says he finds great joy in sharing his knowledge and inspiring his students to surpass their own expectations.
The public is invited to Friday's reception and to view the show later at Bella Blu. For more information, visit the Galley St. Thomas Web site or call 777-6363.

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