DAVID HOPTMAN
DAVID HOPTMAN
Born and raised in Detroit Michigan, David Hoptman graduated from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and then studied art at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, focusing on Photography and Printmaking. After working as a photographic assistant in Los Angeles, he moved to Santa Fe in 1982 and pursued his career as a commercial and fine art photographer, also becoming involved in ceramic and mixed media arts. From 2004 until 2010 Hoptman lived in Central Italy, near the border between Lazio and Tuscany, and was primarily involved in making art and teaching photo workshops from his home and studio. In early 2011 he moved back to Los Angeles. During the years, David Hoptman has taught photography and printmaking in various institutes and universities both in the USA and in Italy and showed his works in numerous exhibitions in the USA, Australia and Italy; his photographs have been published in dozens of magazines, including Elle and Architectural Digest. His latest project is the start-up of Phonagraphy.com, an innovative fund-raising global social network dedicated to supporting the arts.
Artist's statement David Hoptman
The Aboca museum has a vast collection of tools, scales, herbs, cures and containers of all types and sizes. I was hired to photograph the museum interiors and catalogue the objects within the museum. This selection of photographs presented for the Aboca show was inspired by the exceptional collection of unique pharmaceutical objects residing within the museum. Reflecting upon the life cycle of the objects profoundly affected and inspired me to create these still life photographic images.
Many choices and decisions must be made from the beginning to the end of the creative process while putting a still life together. My preference when creating still life imagery is to construct a visual dialogue between chosen objects. I take into consideration the relationship of scale, color, texture, form and function that the objects exhibit. Another essential consideration when photographing
still life imagery is the way in which objects relate to their surrounding environment. The quality of light that I choose to create an all- important mood so often makes a difference between a successful or unsuccessful still life image.
Unique objects culled from centuries past often hold mysteries that sometimes can be coaxed into giving up their secrets. Metaphoric association is a strong component in still life imagery. As a still life artist I use a minstyrious that incorporates light and form. This allows the viewer a glimpse into how the objects were once used and the way in which form relates to function. It is important for me to lead the viewers' eye around and through the composition using visual cues and chiaroscuro. I use these tools to engage the viewer to create a personal response.
minstyrious (min-styr ́-e ̆ -ous) subtle mind altering technique the artist uses to bring about change to everyday consciousness in order to entice transcendental synchronism to rise to the surface of consciousness.