Bartley's Photos on View at Watermill Center

The Watermill Center hosted two open studios this weekend with Mary Ellen Bartley and Helene Patarot.

Ms. Bartley, who lives in Wainscott, has a winter residency at the center, where she is photographing books from its collection. She has done several series involving books, including one were the spines of art books are opened slightly and fanned to offer just a hint of what is inside. According to the center, “The photographs will be used to create a book of books, whose format and edition are yet to be determined.” Some of her focus includes books Robert Wilson has bookmarked or made notes on, to examine the interplay between ideas, images, art, and inspiration across time and geography. As part of the event, she spoke about her work.

Also on hand was Helene Patarot, who explores her father’s youth in Vietnam in a French military school through his recollections as well as those of others who were with him, both at school and as a soldier in France’s North African colonies. Her residency involves weaving these separate pieces together in an effort to tell a wider story that could eventually become a documentary theater piece.

Ms. Bartley’s work will remain on view this weekend during Geoffrey Farmer’s open studio on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Reservations are available here.