Kutztown exhibit: Nostalgic Americana as seen though a digital photographer’s lens

Olivia Louise Sabol will be showing a selection of photographs from her series “Alluding Illusions” during the month of February at Firefly Bookstore in Kutztown.

Sabol, originally from the Philadelphia area, is a local resident and student at Kutztown University. She has been developing her photographic style from an early age.

In describing her process, Sabol reflects on the role of perception as both an artist and as an observer.

“I simply don’t view the world in a conventional manner, and my lens will never portray it as so. Not one person visually perceives things in the precise manner as another, but we all would like to rejoice as though we do.”

Sabol specializes in landscape photography, with a particular focus on cultural remains and urban decay. While exploring these modern ruins, she explores abandoned vistas of kitsch and rust revealing a rich tapestry of emotionally resonating textures.

“Nothing about my imaging is to be perceived as orthodox. … I feel that many photographers become desensitized to their own images after years of handling the same subjects under unchanging terms. That is certainly not something I want to occur or convey in my work.”

“Alluding Illusions” will be a selection of prints celebrating a vast collection of Americana that she found at a local barn. While finding it challenging to capture the depth and scope of the subject, she felt drawn in by the story of both the collection itself and the owners, who have meticulously assembled these relics.

Sabol explained her first impression saying, “When I was first told the tale … the story was framed as something that was Kutztown’s ‘best kept secret’. … I felt it necessary to grasp at nearly any and every inch of the intriguing imagery that engulfed the scaling walls of objects.”

A reception for Sabol will be held on Feb. 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Firefly Bookstore located at 230 West Main St. in Kutztown. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact the store at 484-648-2712.