Mt. Shasta filmmaker and photographer David Dietzgen unveiled his art installation, “Úytaahkoo: Living Portraits of Mt. Shasta,” at the Rostel Photography Gallery in Dunsmuir Saturday evening. The exhibition will run through Dec. 14. An upcoming screening of Úytaahkoo is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Stage Door in Mount Shasta with a 5$ suggested donation.
Dietzgen’s project, whose name, Úytaahkoo, translates as “the white mountain” in the Karuk language, combines a multi-media film presentation with a stunning series of photographs that focus on the Mt. Shasta landscape and the people who inhabit it.
With a full house crowd in attendance, the animated and affable Dietzgen introduced his work, emphasizing his interest in exploring both the visceral and ephemeral aspects of the ever-changing mountainscape that stands as the backdrop for area residents.
In introducing his work, Dietzgen noted that “The defining continuity in our lives is the presence of a sacred volcano, Mount Shasta… Many are drawn to this epic mountain.” Establishing this continuity and influence, Dietzgen further speculated as to what it is that draws people to the mountain and what, more specifically, makes this place (or any place) sacred. “This is the central question that I am exploring through this film.” The question, noted Dietzgen, could also be re-phrased as “Why here?”
Heaven and Earth
“I am also examining the relationship between the pragmatic and the sacred,” stated the artist, emphasizing that the word “sacred” often connotes an endlessly blissful state of being. “However, living in a ‘sacred place,’ like any other, still requires going through the same day-to-day struggles that exist anywhere,” he continued.
Dietzgen noted, among other things, the sacrifices that he and many others have made to live at the base of Mt. Shasta. “Why do people sacrifice so much to be here, and how does the mountain shape the people around it?” speculated Dietzgen. This question clearly struck a chord with the mostly local crowd. Again, the question “Why here?” seemed to resonate throughout his presentation.
Woven in the fabric of Dietzgen’s work is the suggestion that there just might be an answer to the question “What am I doing here?” but the answer to that question, like the leading edge of a Mt. Shasta’s famous lenticular clouds, melts into the mountain, seemingly lost forever.
Interplay of film and photo
Visitors to the gallery are treated to a series of stunning mountain photos, which the artist encouraged all those attending to explore both before and after seeing the film. Though the photographs, at first, suggest the possibility of a static moment or unchanging landscape, the film portion stands as a reminder that all is in flux.
Through a collage of time lapsed images, a well synchronized sound track, and documentary style interviews, the filmmaker takes his audience on a panoramic journey through the mountain and its ever emanating spheres of influence. Speaking with notable area residents such as Karuk medicine-man Charlie Thom, sculptor Dennis Smith, and Karuk lawyer/peacemaker Barbara Lee Norman, viewers are afforded glimpses into how Úytaahkoo has exerted its influences.
Alpine artistry
Dietzgen reflected on the allure that Mt. Shasta had for him when he first started coming to the region. “I used to travel through the area between Seattle, where I partly grew up, to the Bay area, often stopping here to participate in sweat lodge ceremonies,” said the Swiss born artist. This interest in the spiritual and cultural traditions of the region is apparent in his work, and it is clear that his explorations include the many voices of the region, both past and present.
Also apparent is his passion for being on the mountain itself. A seasoned mountaineer and long time Shasta Mountain Guide, many of the images are captured from high on the flanks of the mountain. He uses time lapsed images of brewing clouds spilling across the summit plateau and others taken from the steep alpine gullies that lace the upper mountain.
Dietzgen reflected on the more mundane aspects of the endless hours spent roadside in the Shasta Valley, waiting for “something dramatic” to occur, often to no avail. “Sometimes it’s really boring. You spend all morning with the camera trained on the mountain and you come home with nothing.” It should be noted that the film project took almost five years to complete.
Supporting local talent
Rostel gallery co-owner Rika Noda expressed her enthusiasm over the good turnout and of being able to bring in local artists like Dietzgen to show his work. “People in our community are all connected to the mountain in their own way,” said Noda. She also noted how happy that she and business partner John Rickard are to be able to offer the work of local as well as nationally and internationally renown artists in their gallery.
Dietzgen, who has lived and worked in Mt. Shasta for the past few years, is soon moving to New York City to pursue his career in filmmaking.
The Rostel Photography Gallery is located at 5473 Sacramento Avenue in Dunsmuir (www.nrcpa.org or 262-0198).
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Mt. Shasta filmmaker and photographer David Dietzgen unveiled his art installation, “Úytaahkoo: Living Portraits of Mt. Shasta,” at the Rostel Photography Gallery in Dunsmuir Saturday evening. The exhibition will run through Dec. 14. An upcoming screening of Úytaahkoo is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Stage Door in Mount Shasta with a 5$ suggested donation.
Dietzgen’s project, whose name, Úytaahkoo, translates as “the white mountain” in the Karuk language, combines a multi-media film presentation with a stunning series of photographs that focus on the Mt. Shasta landscape and the people who inhabit it.
With a full house crowd in attendance, the animated and affable Dietzgen introduced his work, emphasizing his interest in exploring both the visceral and ephemeral aspects of the ever-changing mountainscape that stands as the backdrop for area residents.
In introducing his work, Dietzgen noted that “The defining continuity in our lives is the presence of a sacred volcano, Mount Shasta… Many are drawn to this epic mountain.” Establishing this continuity and influence, Dietzgen further speculated as to what it is that draws people to the mountain and what, more specifically, makes this place (or any place) sacred. “This is the central question that I am exploring through this film.” The question, noted Dietzgen, could also be re-phrased as “Why here?”
Heaven and Earth
“I am also examining the relationship between the pragmatic and the sacred,” stated the artist, emphasizing that the word “sacred” often connotes an endlessly blissful state of being. “However, living in a ‘sacred place,’ like any other, still requires going through the same day-to-day struggles that exist anywhere,” he continued.
Dietzgen noted, among other things, the sacrifices that he and many others have made to live at the base of Mt. Shasta. “Why do people sacrifice so much to be here, and how does the mountain shape the people around it?” speculated Dietzgen. This question clearly struck a chord with the mostly local crowd. Again, the question “Why here?” seemed to resonate throughout his presentation.
Woven in the fabric of Dietzgen’s work is the suggestion that there just might be an answer to the question “What am I doing here?” but the answer to that question, like the leading edge of a Mt. Shasta’s famous lenticular clouds, melts into the mountain, seemingly lost forever.
Interplay of film and photo
Visitors to the gallery are treated to a series of stunning mountain photos, which the artist encouraged all those attending to explore both before and after seeing the film. Though the photographs, at first, suggest the possibility of a static moment or unchanging landscape, the film portion stands as a reminder that all is in flux.
Through a collage of time lapsed images, a well synchronized sound track, and documentary style interviews, the filmmaker takes his audience on a panoramic journey through the mountain and its ever emanating spheres of influence. Speaking with notable area residents such as Karuk medicine-man Charlie Thom, sculptor Dennis Smith, and Karuk lawyer/peacemaker Barbara Lee Norman, viewers are afforded glimpses into how Úytaahkoo has exerted its influences.
Alpine artistry
Dietzgen reflected on the allure that Mt. Shasta had for him when he first started coming to the region. “I used to travel through the area between Seattle, where I partly grew up, to the Bay area, often stopping here to participate in sweat lodge ceremonies,” said the Swiss born artist. This interest in the spiritual and cultural traditions of the region is apparent in his work, and it is clear that his explorations include the many voices of the region, both past and present.
Also apparent is his passion for being on the mountain itself. A seasoned mountaineer and long time Shasta Mountain Guide, many of the images are captured from high on the flanks of the mountain. He uses time lapsed images of brewing clouds spilling across the summit plateau and others taken from the steep alpine gullies that lace the upper mountain.
Dietzgen reflected on the more mundane aspects of the endless hours spent roadside in the Shasta Valley, waiting for “something dramatic” to occur, often to no avail. “Sometimes it’s really boring. You spend all morning with the camera trained on the mountain and you come home with nothing.” It should be noted that the film project took almost five years to complete.
Supporting local talent
Rostel gallery co-owner Rika Noda expressed her enthusiasm over the good turnout and of being able to bring in local artists like Dietzgen to show his work. “People in our community are all connected to the mountain in their own way,” said Noda. She also noted how happy that she and business partner John Rickard are to be able to offer the work of local as well as nationally and internationally renown artists in their gallery.
Dietzgen, who has lived and worked in Mt. Shasta for the past few years, is soon moving to New York City to pursue his career in filmmaking.
The Rostel Photography Gallery is located at 5473 Sacramento Avenue in Dunsmuir (www.nrcpa.org or 262-0198).
