'Look Up Mobile' makes art an adventure

The Mobile Arts Council is hosting work from five local photographers -- Julia Bacey, Terry Hartley, Michael Mastro, Keith Necaise and Marty Sheffield. This exhibit pays special homage to a recent book, "Look Up Mobile," which consists of 25 photographic clues making for a visual scavenger hunt with a handsome reward. Participants in the local scavenger hunt purchased "Look Up Mobile" in hopes of accurately identifying each landmark for a $2,500 prize. The winner will be announced at the show's opening reception on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. Images from the book will be on display until Oct. 3 at the MAC. Bacey, a USA graduate, reintroduces us to the iron work on the Raphael Semmes House, a common and cherished aspect of our historic Southern homes. With only a gargoyle serving as the clue, Bacy subtly depicts the Visitation Monastery. Necaise, BayFest's official photographer for the past seven years, offers a night shot of the unmistakable shapes from Providence Hospital; hundreds of circular windows, a few still lighting up the night sky, adorn the shapely hospital. Such patterns can also be found in Necaise's shot of the Mobile Museum of Art. Brightly lit geometric forms cast similarly shaped shadows across the modern building, obscuring its identity. One of the less modern architectural works is of the Saenger Theater, interpreted by Necaise through its monogram "S." The art deco approach reminds viewers of a historic landmark that needs the community's support. Bird and nature photographer Hartley delivers a recognizable yet fun-filled shot of the Scottish Rite Temple -- the infamous sphinx gave participants a good start on a long journey around the city. Sheffield, who finds his photojournalistic style more of a hobby, captured the mossy oaks of the UMS-Wright campus. He also took a closer look at the beautiful stained glass of Our Savior Lutheran Church. Mastro, who concentrates on architecture, industry and tourism, obscures our view with his image of Church Street cemetery -- undoubtedly a favorite of the bunch. The eerie tombstones, portrayed from a worm's eye view, are protected by an aging oak. Each artist took a great approach to the Mobile landmarks, finding in each a subtle quality that did not define the site but displayed them in a new light. Scavenger hunt participants were undoubtedly challenged, but were ultimately rewarded in rediscovering Mobile's history. In addition to these photographic treasures of Mobile, local artist Brian Young has introduced his new works in the exhibit, "Sutratma." Young's pen and ink works, as well as paintings, are depicted on a wooden surface and allow the natural beauty of the wood to show through the art. The mind and body are dominant figures in many of the works. Young focuses on smaller parts, composed of shapes, lines and textures, which make up the whole. HisProxy-Connection: keep-alive Cache-Control: max-age=0

endition of the "Mona Lisa" is a unique adaptation and contrast to one of the most recognizable paintings of all time. The city of Mobile is welcome to visit the works of Young and of the artists participating in "Look Up Mobile" at the Mobile Arts Council on Dauphin Street. Each exhibit is sure to provide the recognizable as well as the undiscovered. The council's Web site is http://www.mobilearts.org.