The Choate Art Gallery closed their doors on the second art show of the semester on Oct. 30.  The gallery was built from a collection of photographs that were produced by Robert Kozma, a photography professor here on campus. The assortment of artwork focused on a film process known as Palladium/Platinum.

Palladium/Platinum is a special vintage printing process. It relies heavily on the light sensitivity of an iron compound known as ferric oxalate.  When a solution of ferric oxalate is mixed with palladium and platinum salts, the ferric oxalate changes its structure to create ferrous oxalate. This alteration happens after the mixtures exposure to sunlight.

The palladium-platinum salt then comes in contact with the new solution in development and, in turn, reduces into a metallic slate that encompasses the image. This creates a fine selection of both palladium and platinum.

The process is unique for its amount of detail and tone in the negative, and it has gained popularity over the past 30 years. This is also a contact process and its size is dependent on the negative, itself.

The show was compiled of 24 images, including photographs entitled Apples, Plates, and Paper, Kitchen Window Flowers, and Dahlias. The images in the gallery were made with an eight-inch by 10-inch view camera.  Kozma has been working on this process since 1977.

“As an art gallery assistant, I feel that displaying professor’s works can influence and inspire students because it allows them to see their professors in a different light,” said freshman undecided major Melissa Castillo, an art gallery assistant.

Kozma’s art career began after his enrollment in the Navy. He started practicing other branches of art, primarily drawing and sculpture. He wasn’t introduced to photography until his time at the State University of New York at Purchase. Kozma has been working with multiple photographic processes ever since.

“Photography provided a direct resource where drawing and my interest in light, form, surface, tone, and space could dance together with a facility I’ve been happily plying ever since,” Kozma said.

Kozma has been teaching photography since 1983, and his work has been displayed in a variety of art shows throughout the years.

“Being Professor Kozma’s photo lab assistant over the years, I’ve seen him give his students little pointers here and there on how to make their photographs better,” said fifth-year accounting major Dan Hernandez.  “Displaying his talents really gave his students something visual to aspire to work towards. I think that [the art show] was a great opportunity for his students and all students who are interested in photography to see great art work.”

The showcase, which ran from Oct. 15 to Oct. 30, was hosted by the Media Communications and Visual Arts Department here on campus. A reception was held on opening day and was attended by many members of the department including faculty, staff, and students.

Robert Kozma is a truly dedicated photographer. He is not only devoted to the art of capturing images but to his students, as well. His ability to find inspiration in the most unique places and his general knowledge allow for him to influence students and staff alike.

“Each semester Professor Kozma has achieved his goal in allowing students not only to learn the technical side of photography but also to include the creative aspects of photography by repeated photographing and printing, which allows students to walk away with a visual awareness to make good photographs,” said Administrative Assistant for Dyson College of Arts and Science Yvette Jones. “It has been a pleasure working with him at Pace University’s Visual Arts Center. He is a true asset to the Department,” Jones continued.

Though Robert Kozma’s artwork was taken down from the show yesterday, his work still impacted many people in the Pace community. He is available to briefly speak with students from 1 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. or after 4 p.m. on Wednesday. He will also be teaching two ART153 Introduction to Photography courses next semester.

For more information about upcoming shows or how to become involved, please contact Yvette Jones at [email protected].