BAYarts gallery talk with photographer Jack Koch

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The first thing you should know is that Jack Koch's last name is pronounced "Cook" – as it might otherwise stump you with the pronunciation. The second thing to know is that Koch is a highly personable and accomplished photographer whose works often astound people for their unique nature.

This unique nature comes into play with the use of printing crisp images on a reflective aluminum that gives shiny life to pieces with glass and water. This Cleveland-born photographer pays homage to his beloved city by capturing images of many of "the Plum City's" iconic images. This includes The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Great Lakes Science Center, The Arcade (with the massive ceiling of glass), and cityscapes of Key Bank and Terminal Tower (lit in vibrant colors) with Lake Erie gleaming in the foreground.
 
In fact, the lake appears in many pieces, and that's not by chance. The artist says, "My passion has always been landscape photography and capturing the abundance of natural beauty." That natural beauty is amplified by new ways of accessing and modifying the treatment of art. "The evolution of digital photography has provided a framework to explore different interpretations and methodology. The boundaries of creativity are endless. However, I like to experiment with many different styles of expression and not settle on any one particular approach."

This experimentation is easily revealed in the BAYarts exhibition. However, not all photographs in the display use the aluminum printed images, and Koch's talent and passion for creating beauty with all of his photography is evident throughout the gallery.

In fact, Koch attributes his passion to an aesthetic-based way of nabbing images. "Having been exposed to photography at a young age by an artist, the emphasis was more about a means of expression rather than the mechanics of a camera. As a result, the artistic element of photography remains a great influence for me." 
 
BAYarts invites the community to meet Koch, and hear him speak in a gallery talk on Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m. in the historic Fuller House on the BAYarts campus. The exhibition will be on display through May 6. Gallery hours are Monday to Saturday, 9-3 p.m.