David Byrne, Lou Reed, Tony Visconti and Others to Interview Photographers on 'Aperture'

Press release
Source: Cataldi PR

As Rod Stewart sang, “Every picture tells a story.” And come August 21st at 10pm ET/10pm PT/9C, VOOM’s GALLERY HD, the only high-definition channel devoted to the visual arts, will provide a fascinating and visually arresting view of the passion and genius that goes into the works of some of the world’s most acclaimed fine art photographers with a new half-hour weekly series, Aperture. In an unusual turn of events, these behind-the-process journeys – filmed in and out of the working studios of acclaimed artists like Vik Muniz, Donna Ferrato and Marla Rutherford – will be led by devotees usually accustomed to being in front of the lens. The roster VOOM’s GALLERY HD has lined up for this aesthetic assignment includes thespians Rosario Dawson, Drea de Matteo, Ally Sheedy and Eddie Steeples and music legends David Byrne, Lou Reed and producer Tony Visconti.

“GALLERY HD is always looking for new ways to introduce audiences to a wide array of visual arts and we’re thrilled to begin our exploration of fine art photography with Aperture” said Tamar Hacker, Director of Programming and Executive Producer for VOOM’s GALLERY HD. “This series not only lets viewers in on the unique conversations between creative people from different fields, but showcases them and their work in the most rich, immersive and detailed visual medium available, high-definition broadcast.”

Following are the details on the six episode weekly series premiering at 10pm ET/10pm PT/9C on VOOM’s GALLERY HD, available nationally on DISH Network satellite service (channel 9472) and Cablevision’s iO digital cable service (channel 714).

Episode 1: August 21st at 10 PM ET/10pm PT/9C TV-PG
Laurie Simmons is one of the first contemporary American photographers to have created elaborately staged narrative photographs. Using dolls to act out piquant scenarios within specially constructed environments, she has slyly commented on contemporary culture while re-creating “a sense of the 50s that I knew was both beautiful and lethal.” Evoking social issues with a humorous tint, it’s impossible not to wonder how Simmons came up with her unconventional view of our culture. An actress accustomed to dark themes in her work on The Sopranos, Drea de Matteo takes viewers into Simmons’ New York City studio to explore the creation, vision and execution of her work.

Episode 2: August 28th at 10 PM ET/10pm PT/9C TV-PG
The journey into the fascinating world and work of Vik Muniz begins at his studio in Brooklyn where ex-Talking Head visionary David Byrne interviews him about his photography, family and seemingly limitless passion for invention. Vik’s work is not just about the photography, but about creating power and surprise in images – whether they are made from chocolate, sand, dust or pigment like his recreation of the Mona Lisa. After the studio discussion, Vik and David go out for lunch and then take a short journey to a private exploration of Muniz’s exhibition at P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center in Long Island City . This acclaimed show is a selection from a larger exhibition first organized by the Miami Art Museum , a body of work that features the " Weimar " series, a suite of black-and-white photographs that reference espionage, surveillance and intelligence gathering.

Episode 3: September 4th at 10 PM ET/10pm PT/9C TV-PG
Looking at Catherine Chalmers’ photographs, one can’t help but think of biology class. Actress and diehard fan Rosario Dawson interviews Catherine with a hands-on approach to the many exotic animals that live and work in the artist’s downtown New York loft/studio. The images are vivid and wonderfully composed, as you’d expect from fine art photography, but the subject matter – cockroaches, genetically-modified mice and houseflies – is most definitely unexpected. Chalmer’s lens finds beauty in the most basic life processes – birth, feeding, mating and death – and delivers a surprisingly beautiful science lesson.

Episode 4: September 11th at 10 PM ET/10pm PT/9C TV-PG
Conceptual visual artist Justin Guariglia explores the themes of universal energy, ritual, spirituality and Eastern philosophies through video and still photography. In this episode of Aperture, he is joined by iconic musician Lou Reed and record producer Tony Visconti at his print studio in New York City . After a performance by a Shaolin Monk on the artist’s rooftop, the trio heads to an exhibition to take in the full scope of Guariglia’s work. A student in China in the mid 90’s, Guariglia took an interest in Taoist and Buddhist philosophies, spending months visiting Buddhist mountains, holy sites, and temples throughout China – from the Silk Road grottoes to the Shaolin Temple . He would remain in Asia for nearly a decade, traveling extensively through nearly sixteen countries, while working on documentary projects throughout the region. Justin’s work was also used in a 2-year Nokia Global Campaign launched in 2006.

About VOOM’s GALLERY HD
This channel on VOOM HD Networks is dedicated to visual art and the artistic process, catering to a wide array of art lovers. Through visually stunning imagery and compelling storytelling, GALLERY HD is the first and only HD channel that defines the most talked-about artists of today and tomorrow.

About VOOM HD Networks
VOOM HD Networks (www.voom.com) comprise the world’s largest suite of high-definition content for distribution through satellite and cable operators. With programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art, the VOOM HD Networks are available in the U.S. on Echostar’s DISH Network and Cablevision’s iO digital cable service. The 24/7 linear VOOM HD channel is available globally. It is currently distributed in Scandinavia, Estonia, Latvia, Hong Kong, Singapore and throughout the Middle East. Similarly, select VOOM HD programming is available worldwide and has been licensed to viewers in more than 100 countries. Building on Rainbow Media’s history of original programming innovation, VOOM HD was developed to meet the growing worldwide demand for quality high-definition programming.