Bambi Gallery Issue #39

Sticking it to the art mafia since 2005

By Anne C. Johnson
Published: March 1st, 2009 | 2:25pm

Ever feel intimidated by the whole gallery experience? So did Candace Karch before the photographer applied her “I want to bring entertainment everywhere I go” philosophy to Bambi, the gallery she opened in Philadelphia’s up-and-coming neighborhood of Fishtown. Since October of 2005, the candy-striped gallery has become a lively addition and a great supporter of local artists.

VZ: How does Bambi fit into the art scene in Philadelphia?
CK: I always refer to the art scene in Philadelphia as the “art mafia” because you always had to be in these cliques, and everyone was in black, and if you weren’t cool enough you didn’t get into a gallery. I wanted to do this little gallery where I promoted local people and offered something that’s more unique and less stuffy and way more affordable. I would say that Fishtown picked me -— and being a sushi-grade tuna in Fishtown really appealed to me.

VZ: Where did the Bambi concept come from?
CK: I opened this business up with a partner and we thought, why don’t we just call it Bambi? It’s familiar and everybody gets it — it’s fun. You know that one cell of Bambi and his mother just touching noses? Now I get it, the two of them touching noses: I am trying to connect people to art.

Convincing people to stop buying prints at Ikea is a real challenge. Why buy a big matted poster for a hundred bucks when you can come in here and get a limited edition print, or that piece (points to “Tiffany Taylor,” a lentrical photo by Karch and Joshua Erb)? I mean, look at that. How fun would that be in your house?

VZ: What’s next for Bambi?
CK: I am always up for the next fun thing we could do here. I would like to have a mariachi band out front one day. Next year, I am going to shoot Polaroids of people in costumes on backdrops, like a Bambi winter scene in the middle of summer. Or else I’ll take pictures of people and do their aura; “Let me find out what color your aura is for five dollars. Oh you’re evil, yours is black.’”

This spring, Bambi will be home to a giant sugared buck by artist Katherine Kaminsky, along with works by Philly fiber artist, Katie Henry. (bambiproject.blogspot.com)