What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1132936
JUNE 23-29, 2019 WHAT'S UP! 9 Robison enrolled at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, but soon discovered "photojournalism was the only major the university offered in photography, and that I didn't really enjoy people photography. So I took as many photography classes as I could at KU before transferring to the Kansas City Art Institute, where I would ultimately get my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography." Like so many things in life, Robison's career was shaped serendipitously the summer after graduation, when his parents took him on a "final" summer vacation to the desert southwest of Arizona and Utah. "While eating dinner at our hotel's restaurant just outside of Zion National Park, I discovered the photographic artwork of photographer Michael Fatali," he remembers. "His work captured the beauty and magic of nature and the landscape in an expressive, artistic way I had never seen before. It also mimicked what I had oftentimes wanted to paint, but with a camera instead of paint! Fatali's work inspired me to follow the path of becoming a professional nature photographer." A photography workshop with Fatali came next, then an apprenticeship with the photographer. "After studying with Fatali, I purchased my first large-format 4x5 camera. I then set out to capture my own images of the landscape I was connected to — the plains and Ozarks," Robison says. Now, he says, "the cutting edge is constantly changing and shifting, but currently I am working on some new virtual reality environments/ experiences. These environments are built using a combination of stereoscopic 360 degree photographs, 3D photogrammetry models (created from thousands of still images), and live video and digital particle effect generators. These VR environments would then enable people who are not able to (due to health reasons or otherwise) to experience natural locations in Arkansas and the surrounding Ozarks through the use of a virtual reality headset." However he does what he does, Robison seeks the same effect on his audience. "Ultimately, I hope to inspire people to get outside and connect more with nature. Hopefully my photographs will motivate them to explore the amazing planet we live on, and on a deeper level, possibly even find some form of spiritual connection along that journey." "SAM'S LAST SONG" SAM'S THRONE, ARKANSAS Photograph by Edward C. Robison III Download the SacredEarthAR Augmented Reality App to view the interactive 3D content: ECR3.com/AR FYI Through Another's Eyes Lou Meluso, exec- utive director of the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, has known Edward Robison for many years, since they worked together at the Nelson-At- kins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Mo. When he discovered they were both now in Arkansas, Meluso was delighted to book Robison to exhibit — and it's "one of the most amazing shows we've had here," he adds. "His work is so creative, he has such a sensitive eye for nature, and the augmented reality stuff just enhances all that. It's great to see Edward spread his good name around."