Nov. 1, 2019 - The Art Program will host an exhibition of documentary photographs by artist Larry Gassan entitled, "100 Mile Finishers & Dead Man’s Bench." More than 20 large-scale prints will be on display in the Napa Hall Gallery from Nov. 12 to Dec. 6, with a public reception held on Thursday Nov. 21, from 5 to 7 p.m. Gassan, a resident of Camarillo, will be in attendance on the night of the opening to discuss his work.
Larry Gassan’s extraordinary photographs document the world of “ultra trail running,” a fringe sport in which participants traverse 50, 100, and sometimes even 200 miles, through rugged wilderness along remote mountain trails. The sport has gained popularity in recent years, with races taking place throughout the world.
Gassan’s gritty and grainy images capture sweat-soaked and grime-coated runners using traditional medium format film cameras, which he sometimes sets up in distant mountain environments. Many of the images are life-sized, allowing attendees to stare eye-to-eye with this diverse group of rough-and-tumble runners.
This exhibition highlights the positive effects of physical activity and the strength of the human spirit. There’s no pretense left after running 100-miles, and for those seeking inspiration and motivation, Gassan’s work is genuinely life-affirming.
For more information contact Hilda Ocampo at 805-437-2772 or hilda.ocampo@csuci.edu.