In my recent years as an art critic, I've learned that it's a no-no to suggest that an artist's photography is anything but art.

Some snobs still suggest that the medium's a poor man's artform, as anyone can pick up a camera, press a button and grab a snap. I didn't want to be pigeon-holed with the same elitists so I stayed shtum when I thought that some of Michael Chadowski's work had a fashion photography look about it.

"It stemmed from fashion photography," he told me, "and it takes a contemporary look at history as well." This has been a passion of Mike's for years now, and a compulsion to capture Charleston's essence has finally culminated in CHAD - Charleston History of Art, Dude.

You can read my column about the show or visit the artistic dude's exhibition at 310 King St in Downtown Chas.

The program for my movie night at the Gibbes Museum of Art is coming together nicely and it's been great to catch up with the filmmakers responsible for the featured shorts, which include...

The Amazing Russell and The Gibbering Horror of Howard Ghormley by Steve Daniels

Atari Sprach Zarathustra by Trevor Erickson

Max by James O'Keefe

...And My Father's Hope by Ron Mangravite.

These are mostly low budget, blood-sweat-and-maxed-credit-card movies with a strong creative point of view. You won't find this kind of thing at the local multiplex, but you'll find them for one night only at the Gibbes.

Life, Love & Liberty

Next up eventwise is the film night at the Gibbes, featuring the premiere of The Siege of Charleston and a new documentary by my wife, Ros. It looks gorgeous, and I'm not just saying that because she's reading this over my shoulder.

Here are some initial info we've been putting together about the show:

“LIFE, LOVE & LIBERTY” FEATURES INDEPENDENT FILMS CELEBRATING ART AND HISTORY

On November 1st at 7 p.m., the Gibbes Museum of Art presents “Life, Love & Liberty,” a screening of short films by local and national moviemakers that features the premiere of “The Siege of Charleston”, a reenactment film that took a year to develop.

The show will take place in the Gibbes’ courtyard and is organized by author and filmmaker Nick Smith. “Life, Love & Liberty” celebrates the Gibbes’ new contemporary exhibition Now!, which features video art among other media.

The Museum will be open during the screening, and attendees will be invited to view the exhibition. Admission to “Life, Love and Liberty” is $9/ adults, $7/ seniors, students and military, $5/ youth 6-12 years, Free/Gibbes members and children 5 and under.

The rain date for this event is Nov. 8th.

THE SIEGE OF CHARLESTON PREMIERE

A year in the making, this takes a fly-on-the-wall look at the largest reenactment ever seen in Charleston, with hundreds of living historians recreating the 225th anniversary of the city’s Revolutionary War siege. Cannons, naval vessels, skirmishes and full-scale battles all shake up the picturesque backdrop of Drayton Hall and Magnolia Plantation.

FEATURED FILMS INCLUDE:

MY FATHER’S HOPE: An achingly personal documentary by Ron Mangravite, cinematographer of Godard in America.

FRANKLY CHARLESTON: A riotous look at Lowcountry history, from the makers of Eclectic Eel magazine.

THE ART OF LIFE: A sumptuous journey through Europe, sampling its artistic delights.

ATARI SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA: Animated comedy by West Ashley-based Digital Cinema Productions.

CURLESQUE: Profiling local artist Lese Corrigan, by award-winning local director Ros Smith.