Perceptions of Beauty: A Photographic Journey
A new medium of art will make its debut on Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Abacoa Town Center, where art, philosophy, science, and photography collide in a harmonious exhibition featuring the creative expression of Florida Atlantic University graduating senior, Michael Metzner. The exhibit will showcase the new work of this unique artist who has been working on a senior thesis project the past four-years, unraveling the complexities of answering the question, “What is beauty?”
Michael’s photographic works range from the commercialized sense of beauty to the simplistic. From photographing lions to FAU students, the captivating element is how the artist photographer tells a story with each photo, involving environmental accents that take the work to another dimension. As Michael shares his vision: “Whatever one believes to be beauty, we can all agree that beauty is something that is profoundly powerful and affects and continues to affect and influence all of us”, surely this exciting exhibition will create an interesting and valuable dialogue.
Not only will Metzner’s exhibition tantalize the senses, but the April 27th opening night “Vernissage” of the exhibit will include a reception including serving hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. This public exhibition will be an elegant evening and cocktail attire is appreciated.
This is the second time Metzner has staged a one-man exhibition. His first solo-exhibition was alongside award winning and internationally recognized Edna Hibel’s Masterpieces at the Hibel Museum of Art in 2010. Metzner was born in New York, where he lived for twelve years before relocating to Wellington, Florida ten years ago. Michael graduated high school from Wellington Christian School in 2008 and will graduate in May with a Bachelor degree with a double concentration in Biological Chemistry and Interdisciplinary Visual Art from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College at FAU in Jupiter, Florida.
Michael has always been fascinated by the art of photography, but did not get his first camera until Christmas 2007. After spending one year learning about his new hobby, Michael began to take it seriously after he won the Home Grown Artist award in 2009 at ArtiGras, a nationally recognized art show, and was featured on ABC-WPTV as one of the artists selected for this amazing honor. Since then, Michael has continued to enjoy great success in photography. He was a finalist in the Nikon’s “College Photography Competition,” and saw one of his photographs published in the book, Best of College Photography 2009, printed in June 2009. In the summer of 2011, Metzner was accepted into the Savannah College of Art and Design summer program in Lacoste, France. For three months Metzner studied the techniques of Black and White film photography and art history. While in France Metzner worked among some of the most influential people in fashion including Chris Benz and Cameron Silver, who was named Time Magazine’s “25 Most influential Names and Faces in Fashion.” Man of many talents, Metzner is also an accomplished pianist.
The exhibit will be displayed from April 27 through April 29, 2012. The “Vernissage” opening night reception will be held April 27 from 6:00-8:30 pm at 1200 Town Center Drive #111 and 113, located in Abacoa, Jupiter. It is located in the heart of the Abacoa Town Center and parking is easily accessible in either the parking garage next to Roger Dean Stadium or Rooney’s Public House. Admission is complimentary, and photographs will be available for purchase. For additional information please contact Michael Metzner at mmetzner@fau.edu or 561-662-0523.
