Dan's Papers - October 19, 2007 -

Every fall, local artists come out to show their support and appreciation for the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF). Rebecca Cooper is the owner of The Gallery Sag Harbor, an art gallery located at 125 Main Street in Sag Harbor. She is also a gifted local artist and a hardcore film and theatre enthusiast. Cooper holds multiple benefits throughout the year to help raise money for the HIFF and the local theatre scene here in the Hamptons. The Gallery has been in business for three years and has been a sponsor for HIFF each year.

Currently, The Gallery is showing a selection of HIFF collector item movie posters. All of the pieces are certified and have a brief history in Hamptons Couture. Local artists created much of the art and with only a quick glance around the gallery, one can see that the artists are both talented and graceful. As a whole, the collection of posters adds a sense of identity to the HIFF. And if you are to view the posters one by one, the artist's particular experience and perspective on film and theatre is clear.

Local artist Eric Fischl is known for his visually crisp work that is filled with innuendo while maintaining an essence of Indian culture. He creates masterpieces from his home studio in North Haven alongside his wife April Gornick, a highly sought after landscape artist. Donald Sulfon is another poster artist who mainly works in black and white by focusing on the constant of form and essence. Sulfon is influenced by artists like Man Ray and it shows. Artist Barbara Krueger is probably one of the most famous artists in the HIFF collection. Krueger is known for inventing the slogan "I Shop Therefore I Am." In the early 90s, The Guggenheim Art Museum had an exhibition of her slogan art, which she is best known for. Krueger's art was displayed as you ascend the spiral walkway that reaches the top of the museum.

Ross Bleckner is known for his large scale, starry night-style paintings. His method deals mostly with light and form. His paintings surround the idea of making the miniscule larger than life. He is a comical artist whose style has hints of Picasso's. It is very easy to see the influence by such pieces as "Les Mademoiselles d'Avignon" and "Guernica."

Cindy Sherman is known for her post 9/11 photography. Sherman started with experimental photography and now finds a way to capture solitude in a flawlessly shot black and white still frame. Her color work can range from the beautiful to the grotesque.

Cooper explained, "There seems to be about a ten year return rate for the poster artists. For example, Eric Fischl was the poster artist for 1993 and then again in 2002, while some artists are only featured for one year. That's just the way it goes."

Cooper is a leading benefactor to the HIFF. She has many ideas that are simply amazing and it is no surprise that she leads art tours of recent art enclaves around the Hamptons and New York City areas. She has experience as a curator for a wide spectrum of art shows and has what seems to be an endless knowledge for the local artistry. The Gallery is a non-profit organization and the proceeds go directly to the preservation of the HIFF. The latest benefit that she has planned is the Billy Sullivan Poster Signing scheduled for October 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Guild Hall in East Hampton. There will be a reception and champagne for all who attend. The Gallery is a must see while visiting the East End for the film festival.

So, while you are in Sag Harbor stop by the Hamptons Film Poster Series at The Gallery, loctaed at 125 Main Street. And while you are in East Hampton enjoy champagne at Guild Hall on Saturday for the Billy Sullivan Poster Signing. The Hamptons always has something to offer, especially around this time of year.