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Rayko Photo Center: Whimsy - Group Show; Tatjana Loh - Family Circus.

Whimsy photographers: Tom De carlo, Adrienne Defendi, Alan George, Beth Kientzle, Eric Larson, Thomas Levin, Erin Malone, Charlotte Niel, Ari Salomon, Angelika Schilli, Kirk Thompson.

Review by Libby Nicholaou: As a preface to the exhibit, Rayko has multiple definitions of the word "whimsy" framed and hung at the beginning of the display of photographs. This leads you to reassess your understanding of the word, also the title of this show.  Kirk Thompson's photographs best embody the term, with respect to the definition, "fanciful."  He captures 3D objects set in camouflaged backgrounds, which makes it a challenge to decipher between the two. I identified the definition, "odd," with the photographs of folks sitting on park benches waiting for a geyser to erupt, and the definition, "capricious," with the photograph of a lone steel gate barrier sitting on the beach in front of the ocean.  The exhibit unexpectedly encourages you to think of whimsy beyond its silly associations and in a more serious more thoughtful light.  

Comment by AB: In the main gallery, members of the Bay Area Photographers Collective explore the lighter side of photography, hence the show title "Whimsy." In the side gallery, Tatjana Loh believes that the full range of life's qualities and emotions can be found in any family, and supports that hypothesis with a heartfelt series of photographs of her own family.