Stewart Cohen is an award-winning Dallas photographer. Among his clientele are EDS, Coca-Cola, Toyota, Buick, and American Airlines. Additionally, individuals and museums around the world are collecting his work.

Stewart Cohen says the Dark Elves come from Teutonic mythology, originating with the Vikings and other northern tribes of the 8th century. "According to myth, the Dark Elves emerged from a 'rebellion' in elven history when one-third of the elven population was banished from the North Pole by the 'good elves.' These rebellious, evil, outcasts were sent deep into the woods. The banished elves shared the forest with munchkins--elves who had lost their way on scouting missions for Santa Claus. These munchkins were a decadent lot, cavorting in the woods without clothes and surviving on a diet of ale and hallucinogenic mushrooms. The munchkins lured the elves into these evil ways, and the elves became insane and unstable, losing their ties to humanity and elfdom. They became wights--neither human nor God-like beings--living beneath the earth, having little to do with mankind unless one seeks them out. They are afraid of light? it hurts their hallucinating eyes? but will tolerate it if they think they can trap a hapless victim into their domain. They should be approached in the same way you would someone from a distant land, whose ways are very, very different." Cohen concludes, "Beware and yes, they do exist."

Using only two torches for light, the work has a mysterious, firelight glow. "I wanted to capture a dark, magical mood, conveying a feeling of voyeurism. As if the viewer is spying from behind a tree, and catching a stolen glance of the elves in the moonlight," Cohen says.

Stewart Cohen's body of work covers people and lifestyles in over forty countries. His award-winning print work has been published and honored internationally. He has received seven Telly Awards for his commercial film work.
Stewart's print work is represented by Denise Ford, 214.821.6788. Stewart's film work is represented by Blind Spot Media of Santa Monica, CA. 1.866.252.SPOT. stewart@stewartcohen.com; www.stewartcohen.com; 214.421.2186. "Dark Elves" collection at www.stewartcohen.com/elves/elves.html

Dark Elves is presented in connection with Ground Zero Theater's production of "Christmas at Ground Zero," a delightful, short-attention-span show of new ten-minute holiday plays by local and regional playwrights.