'The Colors of Venice & Burano' Comes to the Historic Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, 1/14

On Saturday, January 14 at 2 p.m., the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum will host an artist's opening for "The Colors of Venice &?Burano." The show, which will run through April 11, is a collection of manipulated, layered photographs by Staten Island painter/printmaker Fritz Steven Weiss.

Weiss has worked for 40 years as a photographer, dot etcher, engraver, typesetter, print manufacturing specialist and print consultant in the publication and catalog marketplace. Through the years he has also been a curator, gallery manager, artist's manager and arts educator. As an artist, he has worked in many mediums-painting in oil, acrylic and watercolor; printmaking; etching; engraving; aqua tints; wood cuts; lithography; silk screen printing, as well as conventional and digital photography.

"The Colors of Venice &?Burano" had its origin in a series of over 5,000 images Weiss took during a 14-day period in 2007, and the transformation from the original photographs to these final digital images has been a two- year project. Using these photos of street scenes, architecture, landscapes and florals, Weiss painstakingly performed an intricate process of manipulation and layering in which he constantly reworked the images until he was satisfied. Once this process was completed he compressed and flattened the layers, converting the files into printable jpegs, which, because of the processing, ripping and imaging/printing, took two to three hours to print.

Weiss explains, "Among the challenges working on this series was the objective to present the infinite textures and vibrant colors of the Italian experience, layered in centuries of classical history, culture and art...  My goal is to help people visualize that which most do not notice in their everyday lives and to touch upon those thoughts and emotions for which few have time in their daily experiences."

All images in the exhibition are printed in limited editions not exceeding 50 proofs plus four or five artist proofs, and are sold with an accompanying certificate of authenticity. Most are printed on Kodak Endura archival paper, some are printed on aluminum plates and printed on Canon ink jet printers using Canon archival inks.

Following the opening on Saturday, January 14, the show may be viewed during regular museum hours, with paid museum admission, through April 11, 2012. 

For more information, visit www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org or call 718-442-1608. The historic Italian landmark on Staten Island, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned and administered by the Order Sons of Italy in America.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the Office of the Staten Island Borough President, Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation, and by grants allocated by New York State Senator Diane Savino and New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo.   

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