Jack Ramsdale (American, 20th/21st C.) Photograph of Kathryn Biddinger. From a series titled "Portraits Under Glass" Cranbrook Academy of Art, 1981. Framed. Size: 16'' x 20'', 41 x 51 cm (sheet); 21'' x 25'', 53 x 64 cm (frame). Provenance: The Robert L. Pfannebecker Collection. Artist Statement: "Portraits Under Glass" is an exploration of perception, reflection, and the passage of time. The key elements and concepts involved are: photographing a 20"x24" pieces of glass that I had people hold up for me to photograph, thus also photographing the people presenting the glass. This act becomes a performative element in the creation of the artwork. The use of glass serves as a metaphorical portal or window through which the photographs are taken. This can symbolize the act of viewing or looking into another dimension. The glass in the photograph serves a dual purpose - it is not just a medium through which the image is captured but also the protective layer when the photograph is framed. This layer becomes a barrier between the viewer and the subject, reinforcing the idea of layers of perception. The continuity of the same piece of glass used both in the photograph and as a protective layer in the frame creates a powerful connection between the past and the present. The viewer today is looking through the same glass that was present during the initial creation of the work 40 years ago. The inclusion of the viewer's reflection introduces an element of self-awareness. The viewer is not just observing the subjects in the photograph but also themselves, emphasizing the interconnectedness of past and present. The notion that the glass in the photograph is the same glass that now protects the image adds an additional layer of symbolism. It implies a material continuity that has withstood the test of time. Overall, "Portraits Under Glass" is a exploration of the act of viewing, the role of reflective surfaces, and the enduring nature of materials over time. The interconnectedness of the past and present, as well as the inclusion of the viewer's reflection, invites a contemplation of the evolving relationship between the artwork, the viewer, and the passage of time. The result is a container of time, made up of the photographed glass, from the past and the same glass, now protecting the image. This symbolism reinforces the idea that the artwork itself becomes a vessel, encapsulating both the moment captured in the photograph and the present moment of viewing. Overall, this concept engages viewers on multiple levels - visually, intellectually, and emotionally. It prompts them to reflect on the nature of photography, time, and their own role in the act of viewing. The use of glass as a recurring element adds a poetic dimension to the work, emphasizing the transparent yet complex nature of perception and memory.

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