Photography exhibit by Christine Flavin at Finlandia Gallery Oct. 20 - Nov. 13

"Champion Engine House" by Christine Flavin. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- An exhibit by Christing Flavin titled, "Vanishing Horizons: An Interpretation of the Abandoned Mining Sites of the Upper Peninsula," is featured at the Finlandia University Gallery from Oct. 20 through Nov. 13.

An opening reception for the artist will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock. An artist talk will begin at 7:15 p.m.

Flavin took the exhibit photos with hand-built, zone plate and panoramic pinhole cameras –- cameras without optical lenses. For the past two years she has been photographing the abandoned iron and copper mining sites of the Upper Peninsula, along with the stamp mills and the barren ground they left behind.

Christine Flavin photographing at the Freda Stamp Mill ruins. (Photo © 2008 John Morser)

"The deserted structures float in a frame of black," explains Flavin, "engaging the viewer in the sensation of peeking through an aperture of time at relics from an ancient civilization."

The exhibit also features large color murals created with a panoramic pinhole camera.

"Like old WPA murals on the walls of banks, libraries, and other public spaces," says Flavin, "these images are a testimony to the labor that was done; but now the work-spaces are hauntingly empty of human presence."

"Calumet-Hecla Trestle" by Christine Flavin. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

Flavin will work with Finlandia art and design students Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 22 - 23.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is at 435 Quincy Street, Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8:a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., or by appointment. Please call 906-487-7500 for more information.

See also the Finlandia Web site for more details on the exhibit.