In the winter of 2014, Chicago experienced a frigid winter
unlike any that had been seen in decades. With the air
temperature at zero or below for 26 days the Chicago River,
which winds through the city, became a long path of ice
fragments. I photographed the ice patterns which formed
abstract compositions. In post-production, I blended the
original images with other images, colors and textures to make
colorful abstracts. I printed several of the images of this series
onto aluminum. These pieces were displayed in a solo exhibit
at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago.
This project merges nature with technology to create art.
Karen I. Hirsch is an award-winning commercial, editorial photographer and fine art photographer based in Chicago. Her photos have been published in Communication Arts, Graphis, Architectural Digest, Forbes and many other publications.
In 2003, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Arts Council sponsored her one-woman exhibit, "My Chicago," - featuring more than 200 images
Hirsch served as in-house photographer and editor of internal publications at FCB Advertising.
In 2007, Hirsch was one of ten ASMP photographers invited by China to photograph the city of Rizhao.
Awards Honorable Mentions -PX3 and Black & White Spider Awards, Nominees - International Color Awards and Refocus Awards, 2 grants from the Illinois Arts Council, 2 grants from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, First Place - Alteration of Reality Award - Fort Dearborn Chicago Photo Forum International Competition, First Place ASMP Photo Competition, Grand Prize - Kodak Daily News Competition
