In "Slow Pictures…Fast World," at Gallery Figueroa, artist David Trulli works without high tech safety nets. The show is comprised of photography and scratchboard works. The exhibit opens October 5, 2002 and runs through October 27. Artist's reception is from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, October 5.

Technology is a theme that runs through all of Trulli’s work. Our society is built on science and technology; we need it and mistrust it. He captures those feelings and technology’s ambivalence to us.

All of the photos on display are shot with "lens-less" cameras. These include the Zero 2000 camera, homemade pinhole cameras and other similar devices. There are no viewfinders, timed shutters or automatic mechanisms of any kind. Composing the shot becomes a time consuming process, requiring David to project himself into the camera and interpret his surroundings through the pinhole. Printing is done with only the basic darkroom tools and with no digital manipulation.

Like lens-less photography, scratchboard requires careful thought before a mark is made. Scratchboard starts with white clay coated with black ink. Knives are used to delicately scrape the ink away, creating white lines and ultimately the complete image. Once the clay is gouged, corrections are impossible.

No one can argue the significant impact modern technology has had on visual arts. Digital cameras and sophisticated computer programs are accepted as artistic tools just like paintbrushes and canvas. As a cinematographer, David Trulli knows the power of digital tools and embraces them. In his art, however, he chooses to avoid these techniques, relying instead on experience, instinct and a certain amount of serendipity. Knowing that "one chance is all you get," artistic decisions become even more exhilarating.

You may visit David's own site at http://www.davidtrulli.com