Rhythm From Within will be on display in the lobby of River City Silver (5103 McCullough, San Antonio, TX 78212) from September 1 through October 31, 2005. The opening reception is Thursday, September 15, 6 - 9 pm.

There will be a gallery talk with Manheim on Friday, September 16 at 7 pm.

Artist's Statement:

We The People © 1999 Michael Philip Manheim

"I was intrigued with expanding the possibilities of still photography through a different approach to motion. So I developed my own method of multiple exposures. Then I set up nurturing atmospheres where my participants felt safe to tune in to their emotions and express them physically. I soon learned that I was photographing spirit more than surface. These subjects were not only moving, they were relating to nature in a manner that often revealed their inner selves.

I seemed to be photographing the psyche, a place far removed from what people present to the public. I learned to scout out special places in nature that promoted a cosmic relationship. And I learned to encourage my subjects to produce spontaneous movement by drawing upon a place beyond conscious thought.

The work has evolved into deeply felt personal, emotional, and psychological states that elicit universal themes in the viewer. This is an essence of successful portraiture, yet I was never interested in the representation of individuals. I preferred an abstract way of going deeper. I needed to trust the intuition of my participants to bring out the human condition. And I needed to trust my own intuition, as well.

So I reacted instinctively and reflexively, adding many images to each frame of film, without time to deliberate. Giving up control let me welcome a multitude of surprises. Over time, photographs appeared that ranged from amazing juxtapositions, to intricate meshing with nature, to complex depths of expression. One reviewer came to call this "risky photography," because there was no way to predict the final outcome. The images form immediately upon the film. There's no later manipulation. And there's no premeditation, just meditation that powers my exploration of the Rhythm From Within."

For more information call 210.734.2020 or contact .

You can see more of Michael Philip Manheim's images on his web site.