Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1037255
3 6 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8 M acon Magazine's very own Christopher Ian Smith will be the featured artist at the Macon Arts Alliance Gallery in October. "Ocmulgee Monuments" features photographs from the Ocmulgee National Monument, which have been captured using strobes, kinetic movement and long exposures in a style sometimes described as "dreamscapes." Smith graduated with a Bachelor's in Fine Art Photography from California State University Long Beach, and has been a professional photographer since 2005. After spending years in Southeast Asia as a photojournalist, media consultant, travel writer and documentary center director, he is now based in Macon. Get to know more about Smith and his photography through this quick Q&A. How did you end up in Macon? After five years in Southeast Asia, I decided to move back to the U.S. to be closer to my family. My hometown in California doesn't have many opportunities for photographers. Some dear friends of mine, Alexis Gregg and Tanner Coleman (of AnT Sculpture), were living in Macon and mentioned that Mercer University was looking to hire a photographer. I sent over my portfolio and was offered a contract position. I originally planned to stay for a year, but now I'm starting my third year here. What inspired "Ocmulgee Monuments"? I've always been drawn to nature. I grew up spending summers amongst the sequoias in California. Naturally, I gravitated to the Ocmulgee National Monument in my spare time. The incredible history and importance of the land added more depth and inspiration to my treks. Intrigued, I took my camera on hikes and found moments where the light was diffused by the humidity, very different from my California forest experiences. The fascinating visual perspective combined with historic significance of the site provided the inspiration for my new exhibit. What would you like for your audience to experience when they see this exhibit? Every moment in our lives is dictated by perception. Every interaction, view or belief can be dramatically changed with just a slight adjustment of our own view – everything changes when you look at it from a different angle. I think being aware of that ability, while also enjoying a beautiful image, is the key to this show. – Kathy Hoskins Nolan Chris Smith: Inter view with an artist L O C A L B U Z Z O ctober F irst Fr iday Pick