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Al Gomes
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A. Michelle
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A. Michelle's Official Web Page

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In November, the prestigious art gallery AS220 featured the collaborative photography of Big Noise's Al Gomes and Mardo Atoyan, and new illustrations, life drawings, and graphic works by Big Noise's A. Michelle.

The show's opening was held on at 115 Empire Street in Downtown Providence, RI. This is the trio's sixth retrospective show together (which has also included exhibitions at CCRI, Bank RI, and LaSalle Academy).

Al Gomes and Mardo Atoyan's series of black & white photographs of the urban landscape is characterized by dramatic lighting and textural contrasts that evoke the works of reknowned photographer Aaron Siskind. Their photos have appeared in numerous exhibits, publications including Quix Art Quarterly, as well as on Grammy-recognized CD cover designs by Morgan Bracy, 1Enemey3, Local Menace, and Best Friend Solitude.

The total number of photographs in their series exceeds 200 prints. Atoyan and Gomes displayed 22 new prints at the AS220.

Atoyan and Gomes originally shot the photographs as part of a series of numerous collaborative projects and creative endeavors. Their other projects include photo essays, musical plays, live musical events, and film and animation shorts.

One photo essay, 'Rick H: A Day In A Life,' which focused on a homeless individual, went on to inspire The RI Bandwagon Project. Bandwagon produced a benefit recording and concert which raised thousands for the homeless in New England. It went on to win The Jefferson Award from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis Foundation.

A. Michelle showcased a series of life drawings composed during the course of one year - testifying how making live art is like making live music. Her oil pastels document an experiment in technique, progressing from figurative representation to subjective reinvention via an improv approach using turpentine wash and oil stick. Ultimately, the emotive quality of the piece - evoked by surrealistic color, texture, and vibrant line - supercedes literal depiction of form.

In addition, A. Michelle also showcased a new series of digital illustrations, and artwork from her recent book, 'The Good Samaritan' (Pockets of Learning Press 1998). A. Michelle's work has appeared in Quix Art Quarterly, The Newport Review, and various art and literary publications.

A. Michelle also displayed collaborative work with her partner Al Gomes entitled 'Good News Will Come to You,' a series of digital collages featured on their 5-CD compilation 'Digital Side of the Moon' (displayed as a modern art installation for this show), as well as CD cover art for the box set.

Al Gomes and A. Michelle are the founders of Big Noise, an international music production and artist development firm. Big Noise has overseen the release of 250+ recordings of diverse musical genres. They have managed each and every project from concept to completion including assistance with establishing the budget for each project, choice of the artist's material, hands-on A&R direction in the studio, art direction and design of recording package, manufacturing of finished CD, and the publicity, marketing and distribution of the release.

Al and A. Michelle were part of the team that helped launch Christina Aguilera's career. In addition to working as part of her promotion and marketing team, Big Noise's work for Aguilera has earned the firm gold and platinum awards from the Recording Industry Association of America. Entertainment Weekly magazine named Christina's website one of the 'Best Websites of the 21st Century.' They have also worked with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chicago, Nils Lofgren, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Andrew McCarthy, Tiffani Thiessen, Stephen Collins, Paul Doucette (Matchbox 20), Billy Gilman, and many other great artists. Big Noise's work has earned the firm gold and platinum awards from the Recording Industry Association of America, in addition to other major awards.

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Mardo Atoyan has been photographing since 1985. His subjects include urban landscapes, city architecture, still life, nature, and, more recently, children. Atoyan is also a founding member of The Fifth Estate, Inc., a publishing company with works that include 'The Effects of Gamma Rays On Sears Catalog Underwear Men' - a collection of witty and humorous illustrations. When Atoyan is not 'shooting' or volunteering for WaterFire events, he is kept busy with his own company as a founding partner of HealthCare Analytics, a Providence-based actuarial consulting firm. HealthCare Analytics helps heathcare systems and insurance companies make sense of the dramatic changes in the financing and delivery of health care.

AS220 Film Series co-curated by Al Gomes

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