The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County has announced its current solo exhibition, a collection of original photographic works by Michael Dubiner. The exhibit runs through Nov. 24 in the Cultural Council’s expansive exhibition space at its Lake Worth headquarters (601 Lake Ave.).
Most of the photographs in Michael Dubiner’s collection “Election Series” consist of images captured in downtown West Palm Beach in the days following the 2000 presidential election, when it was clear that the outcome was in doubt and public demonstrations of opinion were rampant and in clear view.
“I was able to walk outside my office and photograph these people intent on getting their point across,” said Dubiner, who lives and works in West Palm Beach. “Spontaneous outpourings of emotion and demonstrations continued sporadically for several days… When we think about our passion in our beliefs, these images provide a mirror into their souls.”
“This collection of images is very energetic, and evokes a feeling that you are right there, on the street, in the middle of the action,” said Rena Blades, president and chief executive officer of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. “Michael has a way of making the viewer feel that the subjects being photographed are communicating their message of disbelief, concern and upset to you personally.”
Dubiner’s passion for photography began as a child, when he became fascinated with the art form while spending time at a camera store located next door to his father’s shoe store in New York.
Soon, Dubiner realized that he wasn’t going to want to be in the confines of a studio. Instead, he was impressed by the work of street photographers such as Gary Winogrand and what Dubiner calls “the bizarre and intimate photography of Weegee.”
Dubiner has exhibited in a variety of Palm Beach County museums, galleries and venues, including the annual All Florida Show at the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Boca Raton, 2002 and 2004; Zephyr juried art exhibition, Wellington Art Society, 2001 and 2003; the two-person show “Beyond Hate” at the West Palm Beach Jewish Community Center, 2002; and the exhibition “Tropical Bliss” at the Palm Beach International Airport, 2001. He was awarded “Best in Show” in the Loxahatchee River Center’s 2010 Photography Contest, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Loxahatchee River’s Wild and Scenic designation.
Dubiner earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lehman College at the City University of New York and his law degree at the University of Miami Law School. Dubiner’s coursework in photography spans 35 years.
Artists interested in learning more about the Cultural Council’s solo exhibitions are asked to contact Nichole Hickey, the Cultural Council’s manager of artist services, at (561) 472-3336 or nhickey@palmbeachculture.com.
Admission to the Cultural Council’s gallery and visitor area is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Cultural Council is Palm Beach County’s official arts agency and serves nonprofit cultural organizations and professional artists throughout the county.
The Cultural Council’s responsibilities include marketing the county’s cultural experiences to visitors and residents, administering grants to organizations and artists, expanding arts and cultural education opportunities, advocating for funding and arts-friendly policies, and serving cultural organizations and artists through capacity building training and exposure to funders and audiences.
For more information, visit www.palmbeachculture.com.
ABOVE: Michael Dubiner’s photograph Who Got My Vote, 2000.
