Equal parts love, photography, art, history, and experimentation all cuddled up under one roof in Prague’s historic center.
WHO
Hi, I’m Paul Pacey. I’m a father, adventurer, and optimist who has been a self-confessed student of the game for almost 19 years. If you name it, I’ve probably shot it. (See bio for more).
Some of my work:
(more on www.paulpacey.com)
WHAT
This project is about creating a place that celebrates the old in context of the new, both in terms of the artists it aims to incorporate, as well as the processes that define their place in time.
A place where emerging, forward-thinking, digital artists have a platform equal in opportunity as those who dedicate their talents to keeping alive the beautiful hand-crafted analogue processes that have paved the way.
A place that pays tribute to photography’s long and beautiful journey, where cinemagraphs are as celebrated as cyanotypes and where artistic value is judged less by one’s resume, and more by the impact they have on the eye, in the heart, and on the mind.
WHERE
The gallery is strategically located in the heart of Prague’s historic district, steps away from Prague Castle.
They say that it doesn’t matter if you visit Prague for 2 days, 2 weeks, or 2 months, there are 2 paths that everyone takes when here: one is the path from Wenceslas Square to “the Clock”, and the other is the road back down to the river from the Castle. The gallery is located on the latter.
WHEN
It took exactly 42 full days between getting the keys, performing the renovations, and hanging the last frame. Though there are PLENTY of finishing touches to be made, the heavy lifting has been done, and now it’s time to start promoting the opening…which will take place SATURDAY AUGUST 27 and include 14 prominent and emerging Prague based photographers in a one-night-only exhibition celebration.
WHY
There comes a time that feels like now or never. By all accounts, my commercial work is finally at a point where life is, well, pretty comfortable. HOWEVER, there remains a deep-seated itch to do more with my camera than what is merely expected of me.
I know the odds might be against me from a commercial perspective. Nevertheless, if there is the faintest chance I can give back to the photography community a portion of what it has given me, then it feels like I have some responsibility to at least try.
Hopefully, opening the gallery will not only rebuild momentum in my personal, more artistic, ambitions, it will also provide a platform upon which emerging talents can be celebrated and nurtured along with the industry leaders whom have paved the way.
HOW
There are several potential revenue streams that can help make the gallery viable and successful. How this mix plays out in the long run will be a matter of trying them all out and seeing what sticks, but they are:
WORK DONE / INVESTMENTS SO FAR
WHAT THE KICKSTARTER MONEY WILL BE USED FOR
BEFORE…
AFTER….:)
THE KICKSTARTER COLLECTION – 13 new, never before seen pieces that continue the vein of my “Impressions” while adding new elements and textures.
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WET PLATE PORTRAITS
The biggest challenge is making this monster pay off, and quick! It’s fair to say that, at this point, it’s taken almost twice as long and twice as much as I would have guessed walking into this thing. With the summer high season almost half over, the window for me to earn back my investment is closing with every passing day.
The second biggest challenge is the fact that I still don’t have approval from city hall to put any signs on the front of the building (nor the money to pay for it), which sucks considering that I don’t have direct street access. How this one gets solved still remains to be seen.