Lumas in SoHo-- the future of collecting

Perhaps it's a business idea ahead of its time, or long overdue; but Lumas Gallery in Soho just might be the biggest thing to hit the art world since the invention of acrylic paint.

One of the biggest inhibitions people have when it comes to starting an art collection is the price barrier.

Sticker shock can strike fear in the hearts of many-- forcing many into a permanent "observer" mode; a lifelong renter, if you will, instead of taking the plunge into home ownership.

(Juergen Teller image above at right "Stephanie on Puppy," Connecticut 2000 2003)

Many now gaze upon the images of Rineke Dijkstra and say, "If only I had bought her work BEFORE she hit it big. What an investment that would have been."

Lumas just might change this.

With its showcasing of emerging as well as established photographers, (including the above limited edition of the legendary Juergen Teller already sold out) Lumas is going where galleries have rarely gone before-- reaching out to a new investor, one with a bit less cash, but not necessarily a lesser eye for detail.

In the past, affordable art has been seen by some as laughable, given the correlation between top artists and price.

"Affordable? Why, it must not be quality work, then."

In this case, definitely not.

Take the image at left by Stefanie Schneider.

Her hyper-saturations of a post-1950s softness mix along with a candy-coated modern template of beach girl deliciousness.

The signed limited editions of her works range from $170.00 for the 12 x 11 print, and $480.00 for the 40 x 39 1/3" print.

By limiting the number of editions, usually ranging from 75 to 150 prints per work, Lumas is taking the bidding war history of Warhol's reproductions to heart, hoping this will help to drive value up with the lesser availability of the work.

Only two months old, the immense Wooster Street space has an ethereal quality in all of its collective work.

The current exhibition is entitled "Horizons - Landscape in Contemporary Photography."

The above blurred imagery of David Burdeny takes on a stillness in motion.

By using lengthy exposure times, his work is able to capture erosion in time and place.

Much like the slow carving out of the Grand Canyon by the Colorado River; he, too, is carving up the land with a modern tool of the eye-- the camera.

BILLY & HELLS "Uniforms" series range from $150 to $480.

The "Page" at right makes a gentle pleading with us for respect, yet still feels very alone in her quest for recognition.

Harkening back to the New York of yesteryear, the girl at right could be from any generation; yet her crystal-eyed youth belies a trust in the future, set against a harsh and blinding white light.

A team since 1987, Billy & Hells take their other world careers-- including work at the Post Office-- to heart, shining the spotlight on the faces behind the uniforms we so rarely pay attention to.

At left is Sabrina Rothe's "Zweite Welt #1/A" Essen, 1994.

A native of Stuttgart, Germany, her imagery could be compared to the scene in "The Graduate" where Dustin Hoffman takes refuge at the bottom of the pool.

The isolation is all-encompassing; as well as a bit disturbing with the head unseen above water and rest of body submerged.

The last work that really stood out in Lumas' back space was by JULIA CHRISTE.

With the white sandy beach as her backdrop, Christe showcases a hot air balloon festival.

Each vessel vanishes into the horizon, forever suspended in time; the colors fading fast into a memory.

Lumas' Grand Opening is Next Thursday, February 22nd from 6pm-8pm.

Located at 77 Wooster Street in Soho, you can check out their website at www.lumas.com

The "Horizons" show will be up until April 17, 2007-- just in time for your tax return to go to good use.