What Has Spock Been Doing? Taking Photos!

By V.M. Bruno

Lenoard Nimoy is most famous for his role as Mr. Spock, and has certainly gone where no man has gone before in his beautiful exhibition. The photographs featured in his exhibit range over the course of 60 years. His timeless provocative social commentary is elegantly coupled with the documentary of his growth as an artist.

In his stunning black and white series he features primarily human subjects over the course of 60 years. The photographs convey some curious messages about human nature, given from the perspective of an outsider looking in. One photograph that particularly stood out was an image of his parents in a hallway; his mother staring out of a window and his father walking down the hallway. It gracefully depicted two different ways of living, highlighted by the light on his mother’s face and his his father’s silhouette.

Another image that stuck out was a stunning self portrait of Nimoy looking his his own MRI images. This photograph made viewers ask, “what makes a man?”. His black and white series also featured several images from an aerial view of crowds of people in a city, as well as a a lone janitor carrying a garbage can and broom across a pristine courtyard.

These two images were incredibly striking as we see people doing everyday things but with a profound message: we may get lost in the chaos, but there will always be someone to help us find clarity. Other notable images in his black and white series featured several abstract close ups of the human body, particularly hands and the trunk of a nude woman.

These images had some incredible composition and lighting, however all of the lighting appeared to be natural giving a raw image of what humanity actually consists of.

In addition to his black and white series, Nimoy featured a digital color series called “Secret Selves”, This collection explored the duality of individual’s outward appearance and who they actually are. This poignant series featured every day people who presented their real selves, a side that is usually hidden in public.

Looking at the images and hearing the stories of these people, one could not help but be moved by their courage to reveal themselves with pride. The last series Nimoy displayed is called “Full Body”. “Full Body” is a series devoted to true beauty, focusing on nude plus size models in all of their glory. Nimoy wished to demonstrate that beauty is not commercial or mainstream, but is within all of us in our own unique way.

One image that stood out in this series was several naked plus sized woman holding hands and dancing in a circle, carefree and celebrating their femininity and beauty. This image was breathtaking, as it spoke that the most beautiful thing about a human is their contentment.

Overall, this photographic exhibition is not one to miss, it’s solid images and intriguing messages drove you into a journey of the human mind.

I’d recommend this to anyone who wishes to explore humanity as well as themselves. This exhibit was enlightening and uplifting. Be sure not to miss it, it will be open until May 7th in Northampton, Conn. The gallery is located at the R. Michelson Galleries at 132 Main St, Northampton, CT.