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�鶹��ý�All of the photos in the exhibit are completely unedited,�鶹��ý� says Christian Solar �鶹��ý�23. �鶹��ý�I really want to make that clear, because when you see them, they look crazy.�鶹��ý�

The images, which are part of Christian�鶹��ý�s at the �鶹��ý Art Gallery, were captured on a semi-vintage (circa 2008) Kodak EasyShare camera that had originally belonged to his mother.

�鶹��ý�It feels like such a stroke of luck,�鶹��ý� Christian says about his exhibit. He had been working on some images and shared them with Gallery Director Sarah Cunningham who saw an opportunity to develop his work into a cohesive exhibit. He went after the opportunity in full-force.

�鶹��ý�You look at the photo and video quality and you can pinpoint that this looks like early-2000s footage and it puts you back into that headspace,�鶹��ý� he explains. �鶹��ý�Even if I�鶹��ý�m shooting really recent things, it still gives that feeling.�鶹��ý�

�鶹��ý�This camera is actually broken�鶹��ý�certified broken,�鶹��ý� he laughs. �鶹��ý�I started using it because it gave me these surprise organic results. You never know what you�鶹��ý�re actually going to end up with; I can�鶹��ý�t predict it and it�鶹��ý�s almost like a filter.�鶹��ý�

Even though Christian�鶹��ý�s cameras aren�鶹��ý�t even 20 years old, in the world of digital media, they are vintage. There�鶹��ý�s a distortion and fuzziness and a certain look that the cameras of 2021 just aren�鶹��ý�t able to give. Plus, just take a look at Instagram and TikTok, with faux light-leaks and pixelated filters abound. There�鶹��ý�s an ineffable quality to the recent past and Christian is capturing it, one photo and video at a time.

�鶹��ý�You look at the photo and video quality and you can pinpoint that this looks like early-2000s footage and it puts you back into that headspace,�鶹��ý� he explains. �鶹��ý�Even if I�鶹��ý�m shooting really recent things, it still gives that feeling.�鶹��ý�

The exhibit is purely aesthetics, and for Christian, that was the point.

�鶹��ý�I was looking to make things that were visually engaging,�鶹��ý� he says. �鶹��ý�There isn�鶹��ý�t necessarily a deeper meaning behind it. With the video, sure, I�鶹��ý�m working in visual symbology, but this exhibit is really all about looking pretty.�鶹��ý�

Christian�鶹��ý�s work is on exhibit now through October 30, 2021, at the �鶹��ý Art Gallery at 41 Park Row. On Friday, October 22, join Christian and other gallery artists for a special reception from 5:00 p.m.�鶹��ý�7:00 p.m.