New tech for treasured history

How a striking new exhibit uses new technology to bring the Revolutionary War to life.

When Clifford Oliver’s exhibit opens at the Crandall Library Feb. 2, viewers might do a double-take. The veteran photographer decided that for this special homage to the Revolutionary War — our entire country will be celebrating the Revolution’s 250th anniversary this year — he would need to do something a little bit different.

“As a photographer of historic re-enactors for the last 25 years, it didn’t take me long to realize the authenticity I was seeking in my photographs insisted that I not photograph but paint,” he says of the 30 images that will be on display. “Thanks to my newfound skill in PhotoShop I converted my photographs into ‘paintings.’”

It was important to Oliver to reflect the entire story of the people who were there — including Native Americans, Black soldiers, patriots, loyalists and even women. “I did not focus on any one battle,” he says, “but on RevWar camp life and death. All of these time warp scenes could have happened at Saratoga Battles but were staged at various sites in the Saratoga/Capital region.”

The exhibit takes place at the Crandall Library in Glens Falls Feb. 2-28, with an Opening Night reception Feb. 5 from 5-7 p.m.

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