Isa Leshko, Thrills & Chills
Ended July 30 at Corden|Potts
49 Geary St, San Francisco
(415) 781-0110
I “met” Isa Leshko on Twitter sometime last year. She’s a thoughtful, enthusiastic and energetic photographer, so I was pleased to see her get representation with local gallery Corden|Potts. Recently, she has gotten deserved coverage for her “Elderly Animals” project.
I was familiar with “Thrills & Chills” from seeing images online. In-person viewing proves web portfolios aren’t as good as seeing the physical prints. The project has primarily been promoted with a specific selection of images and these have mostly emphasized the abstract shapes of modern roller coasters. In these images, Isa’s framing emphasizes the rides’ form and scale. The heights of the rides are readily evident in their remove from the viewer. What I found delightful were other images, images that included the facial reactions of riders. The image above is a ironic contrast in attitudes that just makes you smile, but others demonstrated the range of emotions these rides can bring. Some faces register terror. Others exhiliration. Same ride, two extremes, side by side. Not unlike life.
“Thrills & Chills” is available as a 6x6 exhibition catalog from the photographer for $19.
