Rockne Krebs Photographs + Interpretations

www.RockneKrebsArt.com

In the 1960’s,...lasers...became available to the artist. 
Lasers have been used most characteristically to create
spectacular nocturnal displays,
the pioneer in this field being the American artist,
Rockne Krebs (1938-2011)

Ian Chilvers, (Editor).  “Light Art,” A Dictionary of 20th Century Art, 1999.

Remembrances
 the  state of bearing in mind; recalling or expressing friendship.

Christopher Addison, Glenn Anderson, Jay Belloli,
Rob Bradfield, Carol Harrison, William Dunlap, Clarence Greenwood,
Arthur S. Krebs, III, Heather Krebs, Paul S. Krebs, Jane Livingston,
Ed McGowin,  Marc Palumbo, Charles Thomas Payne, James Pernotto,
Bailey Rosen, Jason Sapan, Philip M. Smith,  William F. Stapp,
John Wise, and Louis Zona

An extraordinary and personal insight into the brilliant
vision of the laser artist, Rockne Krebs, providing an aesthetic context with vivid color photo abstractions, B & W portraits of the Art Circles Krebs moved in, as a major  "player" in the art world.  True remembrances, fascinating art reviews, personal quotes, and a page turning energy create a
unique collage of Krebs.


To view and/or order book www.blurb.com/b/4073768-rockne-krebs
New Edition 2013    200 pages
ISBN: 978-1-939793-00-3
Copyright © 2013 Carol Harrison
Library of Congress Registration No. TX 7-690-454

Rockne Krebs Photographs + Interpretations is dedicated to his lovely daughter, Heather, photographed here in Crystal Willow.

Detail of "Crystal Willow"

Jason Sapan
December 30, 2011
Rockne Krebs Photographs + Interpretations
 
Part steampunk, part McGuyver, and all genius.
This was ROCKNE KREBS.
 
His live events drew the best and brightest.
I recall after a show I assisted on in New York
as part of a visual extension of the stage into the audience,
being with Rockne as artist after artist came up to congratulate him,
among them Isamu Noguchi and Robert Rauschenberg.
He was an artist’s artist.
 
Of all the people I have worked with,
Rockne Krebs stood alone in his ability to envision light as a medium
of form and substance that could extend the canvas into the realm of
real space and envelope the viewer.

I was fortunate to have collaborated with him on several occasions
and unlike the purveyors of laser light shows,
Rockne avoided the sophistication of electromechanical devices and chose to use his intellect and hand crafted tools to paint with the light of the laser.
He chose to find his own path and was a true artisan in creating his own concepts and style unlike what anyone else was doing.
Light years ahead of the pack, his work pioneered a new era in the use of laser light as a true artistic form and not as a mere technical stunt.
 
He was generous with his knowledge and talent
and always had wonderful stories to share.
His influence will live on. 

Photographic interpretation of Rockne Krebs' "Crystal Willow," in Bethesda, MD.

Rockne Krebs and Sam Gilliam

Rockne, Sam and I agreed to meet at their studios on 14th & U.
I would photograph the 2 of them "for the art history books."
It unfolded differently than I imagined.

Rockne was calling the shots,
and only agreed to shooting one roll of 220 film.
I would usually shoot about SIX rolls with 2 people in the photo.

I wanted Rockne's parrot in the background,
who was adding a most colorful dialogue to our rather intense conversation.
Rockne wanted the white dividing wall.
Sam was trying to keep things calm, the peace maker,
and told me to do what Rockne said.
That was a memorable day.

Carol Harrison, June 5, 2013

Heather Krebs in Rockne Krebs' sculpture, "Crystal Willow," Bethesda, MD.

Jason Sapan, NYC

Jason Sapan
January, 1, 2012
Rockne Krebs Photographs + Interpretations

Rockne was a huge influence in my work and life.
His intellect, charm, perspective, and unique willingness to combine
art and technology through the purity of light changed the
direction of my life.
It was a great honor to have known him, and greater still to
have collaborated on some of his projects.

He could go from totally serious
to funny in a blink of an eye
and as quickly reverse directions.

Carol Harrison photographing Rockne Krebs

It was interesting setting up the tripod and a camera with a cable release,
and walking from the back of the studio, taking photographs, frame by frame,
and not knowing, what was being captured.
 
Rockne was so knowledgeable about photography,
that he would try to control the shooting.
It was like  playing a game of photo-chess with him,
to move around how much he knew in order to take the photos that I wanted.  Rockne was a challenge, 
and it made me be more pro-active and creative in shooting.

It was a real test of wills.  He knew that I was taking photos that were beyond his control, but he wanted the photos that were within his control. 
However, when he saw the results,  Rockne was respectful of how I had photographed, and appreciative of the images.  He was so complex.
Carol Harrison to Heather Krebs
June 2, 2013

"Dear Carol,
 
I am in your debt,
and all I did was stand briefly in
front of your camera.
 
Sincerely,
Rockne Krebs
Sept 2008
 
P.S. And beat you in ping pong.
Ho, Ho, Ho !
 
Thank you,
Thank you,
 Thank you !
  Thank you !"
 (Editor's note:  this relates to Carol Harrison's photo of  Mr. Krebs in
"A Kansas City Tribute to Rockne Krebs."
A historical correction:
Ms. Harrison won the first fierce
game of ping pong.
Mr. Krebs won the even fiercer
second game, after the score was tied at 21 points.
Sam Gilliam arranged the championship match in his studio.)