George Hirose spent 6 years walking the streets, lanes and alleyways of Provincetown observing what the evening light did to present this treasured fishing village and artist colony in such a different way. "I walked everywhere, and often through the same parts of town. Each night would bring a new set of circumstances-house lights would go on and off, cars would pass, and people would emerge from the shadows. The full moon or fog would add yet another element. These were all variables that brought excitement and anticipation to the process." Being inspired by a particular photograph in well known and highly respected photographer Joel Meyerwitz's Cape Light photographic book, of "a hauntingly surreal image of a group of motel cottages bathed in blue saturated twilight," Hirose decided the way in which he would document Provincetown was through photographic images of town at night--very late at night--into early morning hours.
Hirose first visited Provincetown a decade ago and was familiar with the history of the town and the fact that it was, and still is, the oldest artist colony in the country. Additionally, Provincetown was known as a quaint Portuguese fishing village and remains much the same today as it was more than 100 years ago.
He particularly took note of the light in Provincetown and said, "During the summer, the often brilliant and ever changing light reflects off the surrounding bay and ocean, and gives the town a certain visual clarity and crispness. As the heat of the sun recedes, the sky shirts in tones of pink and blue. A vibrant nightlife begins to heat up as a haunting mystery infuses with the darkness."
Hirose has captured the essence of the town through this series of photographs, which is being presented not only in exhibition form at ERNDEN FINE ART GALLERY, but also in book form. The book, titled Blue Nights captures the essence of this town, steeped in history as it is, with color photographs of many different scenes. Images of the breakwater in the far West End, The A-House, which is a famous watering hole for many past writers, poets and artists; Spiritus Pizza, Old Taves Boatyard, the Pilgrim Monument, Captain Jack's Wharf, PAAM at 1AM, the Hans Hoffman House, a driver for Mercedes Taxi asleep at the wheel of his car at 3AM, awaiting that last minute rider back to their Guest House or home, and the list goes on.
Hirose speaks of his inspiration and the role the late Norman Mailer played in the way in which this history would be told. Hirose says, "Norman loved Provincetown, and when I first showed him some preliminary images from this series, he felt that somehow they conveyed an untold story about the town and that I should make a book. He strongly encouraged me to keep photographing....As a writer, he took great interest in narrative flow of the book, and provided invaluable insight during it's editing and sequencing. He was also instrumental in helping me conjure interesting titles for the images." Mailer, who passed away in November of 2007, was pleased to write the introduction for George Hirose's forthcoming book, Blue Nights.
Hirose is a professor in photography at Pratt Institute in New York City. His fine art photography has been widely exhibited in one person and group shows in the United States and abroad. He lives in New York City.
ERNDEN FINE ART GALLERY is pleased to present the work of George Hirose. For more information on George Hirose's work, please contact Dennis Costin, Gallery Director at 508-487-6700 or 1-888-304-ARTS or vial email erndengallery@att.net
