RADAR / SCENE
#INSTACRUSH
@veekster
WHO: Accomplished photographer Victoria Wright not only captures Seattle’s picturesque scenery, but also offers viewers a glimpse into her everyday life on her feverishly followed Instagram feed. WHAT: Wright’s photos highlight some of Seattle’s most astounding landscapes, mixing them in with other equally breathtaking images of scenic wonders from her many domestic and international travels.
IN HER WORDS: “I am most fascinated by how light hits a subject, motion and angles, or a quiet moment that most people pass by. I’m drawn to clean lines, natural light, and the quiet of the unnoticed scenes I stumble upon in my often hectic world.”
TALKING SHOP WITH BEN KNUDSEN
DIGS
When did you open? We originally opened in Bellingham in April 2008, but moved to our location at 2002 NW Market St. in Seattle in March 2013. Why Seattle? We’ve always loved the Ballard neighborhood; it has a laid-back vibe and is full of independent businesses. It was already starting to explode when we were looking for a new location, so we figured we’d better come be a part of it! Tell us about the space. Digs is in a lovely older building with vaulted ceilings, so we kept an open floor plan to keep things airy and to give our pieces room to speak for themselves. While doing the demo, we discovered original fir flooring from a Tae Kwon Do studio that was here before us. It was a bit of a gamble and a labor of love to peel back the layers, but we’re so glad we did. What makes Digs different? We are always on the hunt for items (like Modernica’s Papa Bear chair, below) and lines you won’t see everywhere, and we love working with local designers. digsshowroom.com
THE INSIDER PETER JOHNSON
With more and more people finding love on the Internet, it’s no surprise that photographer and contemporary art connoisseur Peter Johnson wanted to jump on the bandwagon, just not in the way one might expect. Instead, the Portland-based creative visionary took to the web not to find love, but to declare it. He launched captured52.com as an ode to the large-scale photography he believes best captures the medium’s transformative properties. Each photograph available on the site—one carefully curated work by a different photographer for each week of the year (52 total)—is magnified to epic proportions and expertly framed so art lovers are treated to an instant gallery-like experience immediately upon delivery. Here, the visionary photographer shares what’s on his radar in Portland this season. captured52.com Favorite thing in inventory? Every single photograph! Just because a photograph can be printed big, doesn’t mean it should. We cull through thousands of images to narrow it down to the 52 that we represent per season on the site. Over the course of four collections, I have never grown tired of looking at any one of them. I guess that’s the point. For the art-obsessed: In Portland, we love to celebrate our rich and thriving arts scene, and we do it big every month at First Thursdays in the Pearl. For literary arts, world-famous Powell’s City of Books is a must, or if brilliant midcentury and custom furniture is your thing, head to The Good Mod on Burnside. Plan it right, and you can hit all three the same evening! One to watch: Tatiana Wills; she was one of the first photographers to believe in the idea of Captured52 and to get involved. She’s a good friend, a talented photographer and her portrait work is phenomenal.
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WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY BROOKE ROSENWATER
INSTACRUSH PHOTOS: COURTESY VICTORIA WRIGHT. INSIDER PHOTO: COURTESY CAPTURED52. TALKING SHOP PHOTO: COURTESY MODERNICA.
WHY: Because you’ll be exposed to snapshots of the pictorial city that are so vivid and captivating, it’s almost like you’re there firsthand. Follow Wright for a compelling journey through the Pacific Northwest and for the opportunity to live vicariously through one of the region’s most exciting photographers.