Photographer Anthony Kurtz and Dickerman Prints Gallery are proud to exhibit It All Came So Close to Never Happening, a pair of intertwined photographic stories where the outcomes of human uprisings, or the lack thereof, result in a futuristic portrayal of a world gone wrong.

Through romanticized, dark, bold and evocative imagery, Kurtz blurs the line between fiction and reality while drawing on themes of marginalization, conformity, mass-privatization and environmental degradation.

One photographic story, The Human Uprising, follows the mass mobilization of common men becoming modern-day heroes in a struggle of ideals and power. It is a tale of solidarity, resistance, revolution and of a common realization that the future of mankind is at stake.

Concurrently, The World of Tomorrow presents a possible aftermath: a romantic and haunting vision of a post-apocalyptic future seen through the lens of stormy skies, deserted cities and abandoned industry.

Taxi magazine said of Kurtz’s work, “Distinct beauty can be seen in Anthony’s portfolio of wonderful imagery that tugs on the human heart and gnaws on the human conscious, calling for awareness of one's own existence, thoughts, and surroundings.”

Together, the images presented in It All Came So Close to Never Happening read like cinematic stills or panels from a graphic novel: a hyperrealistic view of the world that contains a sense of mystery, sadness, beauty and romanticism.

To create this alternate reality, Kurtz digitally retouches his original photos by playing with shadow, light and color to form a vibrant mix of documentary and fine art. The resulting images challenge viewers to understand the human condition in modern times and decide if they should be concerned or fascinated by this possible glimpse into our society’s future.

To see Anthony Kurtz' portfolio, please visit his Web site.

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Dickerman Prints Gallery
3180 17th St, San Francisco
Open Monday - Friday
10am-6pm

It All Came So Close to Never Happening runs through April 30, 2010