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‘AMANDA MEANS: GLASS AND LIGHT’ WILL OPEN SEPT. 4 AT RICCO/MARESCA

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NEW YORK CITY — Ricco/ Maresca Gallery launches the 2008-2009 season in its newly designed gallery with the photography of Amanda Means, on view September 4–27. An opening reception will be Thursday, September 4, from 6 to 8 pm.

With her exhibition, “Glass and Light,” Amanda Means uses a very simple set of objects, water glasses and light bulbs, to explore the effects of light passing through glass. Most photography represents the reflection of light back from a solid object, but Means alters this traditional equation by working with objects that either project or transmit light.

The light bulbs burn with their own source of light, illuminating their fragile glass form from within. The water glasses transmit light, allowing it to distinguish the scratches, chips or condensation on their surface or the air bubbles trapped in water.

This exploration of light and surface transforms these mundane objects into things that are mysterious and powerful, and this tension between the everyday and the monumental is what makes these images so remarkable.

Means’ series of photographs “Looking at Leaves” is concurrently on exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History through February 8.

Ricco/Maresca Gallery is at 529 West 20th Street, third floor. For information, www.riccomaresca.com or 212-627-4819.