Fashion Friday

If you were as enamored as we were with the fist issue of New York Magazines fashtacular companion publication New York Look (review post here) fear not because issue 2 is here and lives up to all the promise of the inaugural issue. And what do you know those clever people at New York have kept with the winning formula and created another masterpiece with yet another masterclass in photo editing.

First time around it was Magnum photog Paolo Pellegrin who was responsible for almost the entire magazine; this time around its another Magnum alumn Christopher Anderson who gets a crack. Oh and yeah he turns in another tour de force hitting it out the park just as Pellegrin did. Anderson is all colour for this pairing and I have to say his talent really shines through. It all just looks so much better in the printed matter where it belongs not in a slideshow on the web so treat yourself if you can its breathtaking ! Makes you wonder what you could accomplish if handed the same brief and circumstance.

Whatever will become of Magnums own annual Fashion Magazine ? Which illustrious member of the cooperative do you think will get the green light for next seasons New York Look ?





Photos © Christopher Anderson

Heres to you New York Look and Christopher Anderson, nice one !

Lets get the party started

Well if you have been living under a rock you might be unaware of the photo fest happening in New York City next week. Yes the big one is finally here the inaugural New York Photo Festival: The Future of Contemporary Photography aka NYPH 08 and it kicks off in Dumbo on Wednesday the 14th and runs through Sunday the 18th.

What can we expect ? Who knows as this is the events first outing but it seems the essential ingredients are all in the pot. I won't bore you with all the details but go here for the schedule. Its not exactly free either so go here for the pricing structure and here to purchase tickets. It looks like $45 should get you into just about everything including the opening party on the 14th so that's not so bad over the 5 days although be sure to check the fine print as some of the events are limited by capacity.

The evenings are going to pretty jammed with happenings, some of which haven't made it on to the main calender. 'Various Photographs' the exhibit curated by Tim Barber of Tiny Vices is also holding an opening reception on the 14th from 7.00pm to 10.00pm at 70 Front Street. Good news is this event is free and open to the public. Expect this to be a mob scene, you have been warned.


I am pleased to say I will have one picture in the festival as part of Portraiture: An Exhibition by Getty Images one of the many satellite shows that will circumvent the main pavilions, full list here. There will be an artists reception on Thursday the 15th at 81 Front Street from 6.00pm - 8.00pm.

Also that evening there will be a giant book signing extravaganza over at the powerHouse arena from 9.00pm - 10.00pm. An hour seems like a ludicrously short amount of time considering the line up: Lili Almog, Roger Ballen, Juliana Beasley, Harry Benson, Kevin Bubriski, Julia Calfee, Vivian Cherry, Livia Corona, Valdir Cruz, Lalla Essaydi, Larry Fink, Brian Finke, Ron Galella, Stephen Gill, Arlene Gottfried, Christopher Griffith, John Gruen, Alice Harris, David Alan Harvey, Henry Horenstein, Ellen Jong, Leora Kahn, Seth Kushner & Anthony LaSala, Christopher LaMarca, Wassink Lundgren, Jeff Mermelstein, Slava Mogutin, Rachel Papo, Martin Parr, Nigel Parry, Mark Peterson, Thomas Roma, Steve Schapiro, Joachim Schmid, Jamel Shabazz, The Snorri Bros., Michael Spano, Peter Sutherland, Linda Troeller, Victor Vazquez, Veronique Vial, Nathaniel Welch, and David Yellen.

If you entered the festivals New York Photo Awards and haven't heard anything from the organizers yet you will have to try again next year. Looks like they have gone ahead and whittled down all the entrants into manageable groups. Full list of those nominees in the running here. And a ticket to the awards show on the Friday night gets you access to yet another party at the powerHouse arena right after.

Speaking of competitions/parties PDN are getting in on the weeks acivities as they will be hosting their annual Photo Annual party on Tuesday the 13th. Yeah sorry there too if you hadn't heard from them by now you didn't make the grade here either. This event is by invitation only and there is always a pretty strict door policy so if you didn't get the heads up you might want to save yourself any velvet rope embarrassment. In case you were wondering though its at the same venue as last year.


Dumbo residents VII Photo Agency have stretched their involvement and added another on site event to the offerings with a 3 day seminar 16th thru 18th including keynote speakers, show and tells with all the main players incl. Greenfield, Kratochvil, Ladefoged, Morris & Nachtwey, book signings, portfolio reviews etc etc. The price of this event is separate to the cost of admission to the main festival. Full details here.

Fuck I am worn out already just try to get my head around all the possibilities and permutations. I think my liver is just as concerned considering all the opportunities for liquid refreshment. Fingers crossed for some fine Spring weather especially with the organizers expecting 100,000 over the four days. Have a feeling most of the gatherings will be pretty chock a block so the streets might be the best bet for a little extra curricular mingling. Hopefully the event lives up to its potential and wont turn in to too much of a circle jerk. The Jackanory will be in situ throughout to keep an eye on proceedings, more to come on that Monday.

Helpy selfy

I got to say the following line has crossed my mind a bit recently: How do we make a living when everyone is freely sharing their ideas . . .

Thanks Rudy for sharing.

London Calling . . . . Blueeyes remix

I am delighted to announce that we have contributed a little something to the latest issue of Blueyes Magazine. The good folks there were enamored by my 'London Calling' post from a few months back. The piece a conversation on the state of the British Editorial market through the eyes of friend and inspirator Chris Floyd has been republished (with a new introduction) as part of the Document section here. Its well worth a read if you missed it first time around; not for my own mutterings but for Chris's incredibly eloquent and incisive commentary.

The post stirred up quite a bit of interest both here and in the U.K. Blueeyes will publish a companion piece next week where Chris and I discuss the reaction both positive and negative and clear up some of the misconceptions.

Will give you all the heads up when part two goes live.

Jacks back

Well I don't think anyone missed me too much as there were no emails worrying about the blogs extended absence this time around. Suffice to say we were both away personally and professionally.

In the meantime though answer me this will you, how come whenever you book a personal trip the calls for work come flooding in for the dates you will be away ? Its always the same could be sitting around with out a bite to be had and then voila just as you are packed and ready to go the phone starts ringing off the hook.

There is always that omnipresent fear of missing out on the holy grail once tickets have been booked and plans made. These fears are more often then not realized come departure day and cause us freelancers to often never book any sort of holiday time far in advance. We can usually come up with some sort of self serving reasoning; you know its like nothing ever happens in August because the whole industry is away but hang on a sec if I am around and all the other photogs are out of town maybe the goose will lay me a golden egg.

Grrrr whats one to do ? Thankfully my beautiful wife keeps us mobilized. With a job in the real world one has to manage ones away time carefully so we do plan ahead to maximize every extra day and opportunity. If I was left to my own devices everything would end up being so last minute we probably wouldn't end up going anywhere.

Although I have to say I have scored a gig from time to time being away by giving PE's a heads up as to my whereabouts.

On this occasion a quick 5 day trip to Ireland resulted in missing 5 days work for 3 different magazines. The itinerary was non transferable as were the shoot dates so no go for me on any of the gigs. Often best you don't get too much info on the jobs you are missing out on so you don't get too upset at what possibilities may be lost.

Not to worry though I had a choice gig to come back to, but what the fuck as soon as I hit the tarmac on the return to NYC and powered up the Blackberry there were 2 more sweet gigs in the inbox with complete specs and what do you know they all want the same dates. Aaaargh this is aggravating especially when the assignments are all plum with image making potential.

One photographers loss is of course anothers gain. You wouldn't mind though nothing in the books for this week after the flurry; just plenty more work working on work and maybe a little blogging while we are at it. Stay tuned.

Some inspiration

I am heading out of town for a few days and will be taking a break from the blog. With all the carry on in the comments over at APE the last couple of days I thought I would try and leave a little inspiration in my wake.

If you get a chance to down tools go see Glass a portrait of Philip in 12 parts a magical documentary made to celebrate the famed composers 70th birthday. I saw it this past weekend and I have to say it offered a most compellingly revealing view into the inner workings of this most prolific of people. His daily accomplishments alone put most of us to shame; what this man gets done and what he has achieved is truly mind boggling. It's inspirational and yet totally overwhelming; makes you wonder about your own contribution to your art, to humanity and what sacrifices may have to be made along the road.

And if this documentary isn't playing at a theater near you and you have never witnessed any of the Qatsi trilogy (which Philip scored) Koyannisqatsi: Life out of balance, Powaqqatsi: Life in transformation and Naqoyqatsi: Life as war treat your self to Netflix you may never view your own work the same again. I am forever grateful to my father, I have a lasting memory of him making us watch Koyaanisqatsi as kids, my initial reluctance quickly sudsided and I remember being in total awe of its visual power. Thanks Dad I will always be indebted, the experience has had a lasting effect.

Things to do tonight . . . . 8x10, Earth day & not your average Joel

Its not even Thursday and yet who would have thought we would have so many fine offerings so early in the week. Problem is choices are going to have to be made as scheduling dictates although I bet you could get in all three picks if you were so inclined.

Tuesday April 22


The camera club of New York - Lecture Series presents Richard Renaldi

7.00pm

School of Visual Arts Amphitheatre

209 East 23rd street, bet 2nd & 3rd ave

general admission $ 10.00 / $ 5.00 for students with ID

Richard Renaldi's environmental portraits and landscapes are a collection of photographs about the social makeup of our country and our world. The portraits he makes of ordinary strangers encountered at home and on the road begin a quiet documents of individual struggles and triumphs. However because of the breadth of his interests, Renaldi's pictures try to shed light on our collective reality. Carrying an 8x10 view camera, his favored tool, Renaldi travels widely, constantly scouting for the next person to 'cast' in his ever-evolving narration about the people and places in this city, across the US and around the world.

During the lecture Renaldi will present work from his various long-term projects followed by an informal book signing.



The powerHouse arena : Shifting Landscapes featuring the work of Olaf Otto Becker, Edward Burtynsky, Joshua Lutz, Christopher LaMarca, David Maisel and Simon Norfolk.

opening reception 6.00 - 9.00pm

37 Main street at Water street Dumbo





Joel Barhamand: Soft & Hard - 6 new photographs

opening reception 6.00 - 7.30pm

L'Asso

192 Mott street at Kenmare

Nice one . . . . W

I have always had a keen interest in fashion photography after all I had my sights firmly set on being the next David Bailey, Peter Lindbergh or Steven Meisel during my formative years. I enjoyed some success working my way from front of book to well stories for Mademoiselle capping it off with the infamous 'Panty Raid' spread for Cosmopolitan a few years back. Realizing I had got as far as I could go on my talents things took a turn et voila a new journey of discovery and photographic endeavours began.

I used to eat up the fashion mags as part of my educational diet and had quite the collection. Although my passion for fashion has waned somewhat I am still a huge fan especially the photographic genre. Although I don't spend as much time as I once did trolling through all the fashion gutters every now and then I see a story that just blows my mind.

Long time collaborators Philip-Lorca diCorcia and W Magazine are at it again. This time the diCorcia show landed in Cairo for an epic 30+ pages of well epicness. To say this man has talent would be an understatement, cant help but make one wonder how far one has to go. As is the case in a story of this magnitude the web slide show here doesn't really do the trick. Treat yourself to a copy of the magazine itself or at least give it a good going over on the news stand where the big W pages were made for such a lavish production. Yes APE magazines are the proper vehicle for such beautiful work but I cannot help but wonder why they chose to feature it in all its entirety on their website and not just titillate us with a seductive sampling that might bring in a few extra hard copy sales.

And yes there are credits for the clothing although sometimes the fact that this a fashion shoot and not solely a fine art piece can seem a little blurry. diCorcia has done many features for W over the years in a similar vain but fuck does he still bring it. Why not help them spend some of their budget on realizing his own vision, I am sure we will see some of these pictures filter into his art portfolio or a future book project even a show as some of his previous outings for W have remained relevant to diCorcia long past the news stand sell by date.







Heres to you PLD and W magazine.

Things to do tonight . . . heroin, childhood & a palace

Things have slowed down a little but hey its Thursday after all so here's tonight pick of the litter:


Jeff Olson: North Woods II

Opening reception

6.00 - 8.00 pm

Peter Hay Halpert Fine Art

511 West 25th Street, bet 10th & 11th ave

North Woods II is a series of large-scale photographs taken over the course of two years. Begun in the fall of 2005, the work explores life in an isolated area of New Hampshire that is representative of rural, small town America. Olson follows a select cast of young people, capturing moments of minor significance. Through his use of color and light, Olson infuses these images with a sense of emotional content that is more perceived than understood.

Olson's nostalgia and distinct connection to his past and its relationship to the multiple rural areas he was raised in are a constant presence in these pictures. He spent the substantial periods of his childhood documenting his consistently changing lifestyle as he moved around rural areas across the country. Working first with a camera he found when he was 8 years old (only to have it sold a year later), he received another camera four years later as a gift. These two cameras, one lost and the other a reclamation of the potential its predecessor suggested, enabled Olson to document what he saw on his journeys. His images reflect the solitude of his childhood experiences, as processed through a more mature eye. Courtesy Peter Ray Halpert Gallery

Robert Polidori: Versailles

Opening Reception

6.00 - 8.00pm

Edwynn Houk Gallery

745 Fifth Ave at 45th Street



Jessica Dimmock: The Ninth Floor

Opening Reception

6.00 - 8.00pm

Foley Gallery

547 West 27th Street, 5th Floor

Jessica Dimmock began photographing her series "The Ninth Floor" after being approached by a New York City drug dealer several years ago. She was in the midst of completing her degree at the International Center of Photography for Documentary Photography and Photojournalism. She became interested in photographing the dealer and his daily deliveries. One such stop was the ninth-floor of an elegant apartment building in New York's Flatiron district. For the next two and a half years Dimmock settled in as a long-term observer to candidly record the consumptive and consumed lives of nearly thirty heroin addicts in heir eroding, claustrophobic home.

"...the mood inside was muffled, slow, secretive and sick, becalmed by a septic hush," Dimmock recalls, and though her vivid portrait of that decaying place, with no light and duct-taped walls indeed silences its voyeur, it is her relentless documentation of the human lives struggling through and surviving addiction that impact upon us so profoundly.

Caught between the unaffected, objective nature of journalism and the heart-felt feelings for her subjects, Dimmock reflects how, "...the strange contradictions of this work are such that a mutual trust is built...but that very trust eventually undermines the arms-length neutrality of the documentarian."

A selection of more than forty chromogenic prints from Dimmock's series will be exhibited. The photographs lay bare the privacy and unmentionables of this three-bedroom apartment; its afflicted tenants silhouetting through smoke-clouds, wading in piles of waste, lampshades, bottles, cardboard boxes, and needles. Courtesy Foley Gallery

A Photo Editor on the APE promo

So now that the furore has died down a bit and Rob has worked out some of the initial glitches I asked an esteemed photo editor to give us her take on the APE promo slideshow.

In the interest of full disclosure the PE in this case is Brenda Milis of Mens Health magazine. I have worked with Brenda and she in turn worked with Rob during his tenure at Outside.

The Q+A took place yesterday and APE has since taken steps to improve thumbnail viewing, read here, and oh and he has now got himself a business partner so look out for some exciting developments soon at APEinc.

WTJ: What do you think about the APE promo slideshow / idea ?

BM: I think that it is a great resource for photo editors, yeah... as Rob says, it is a nice SUPPLEMENT to the other ways we PE's find photographers--nice way to find more people and remind ourselves who we've always liked.

As for slideshow itself-there's one big weakness (besides tiny thumbnails which I mention later): The photogs who are deep in the slideshow are at a definite disadvantage because those who will get the most exposure/seen the most are the ones with images towards the beginning. I'm sure it's something Rob has thought of and will rectify/fix in slideshows to come.

*I'd very much like to know how Rob decided to put these images in order because there are some very established photog's right up front-not having had time to look at all 297 images yet, I wonder if that continues throughout ?...don't recall seeing that info in his text/blog. random ? by preference ??

*I really like that Rob doesn't list the names of photogs upfront (at first I thought that would be dreadful, but I was soon won over!)---makes you actually look at the darn image without reading the name and therefore reading your own preconceived notions about the photographer into what you are seeing--good move, Mr. Haggart.

WTJ: As an editor you didn't have any Flickr shock anxiety ?

BM: Nope--Flickr does not make me anxious, though it can annoy me. Of course I don't like being annoyed but actually am much LESS annoyed than I expected to be. Those tiny thumbnails are bullshit, btw.

WTJ: What do you say to all those photographers who deemed this vehicle to be beneath them ?

BM: I understand their not wanting to be mixed up with the 'peanut gallery'---a lot of photographers HAVE spent years establishing themselves and getting work and building reputations and I understand them wanting to be more respected/feel that they are at a different level than a lot of the lesser-knowns, those newer to the game. That said, I DO like to see everyone side by side---it's refreshing especially since names aren't listed up-front.

WTJ: Did you look at the slideshow on APE or did you go to 'I Like These Photos' for the full screen version ?

BW: Absolutely--that's where you can use the manual controls and if you don't make the slideshow time to your own liking, I think you'd go mad !

WTJ: So you didn't look at all 297 photographers images ?

BM: Not yet and THAT is exactly the problem. While I PLAN to go back and look lots more, with the way a photo editor's day works---lots and lots of crises and interruptions of all sorts throughout--once you stop looking, you don't know when or even if you'll have time/focus to go back. I DO PLAN to go back.

I think I got through 35 or 40--it takes quite a bit of time, actually, because I am seeing lots of pictures I like and then I check the name and then I go to the individual website if I don't know the photog. and then I take time on their website.

So ultimately it will be a very time-consuming yet extremely valuable tool.

WTJ: Were you surprised to see some big names in the mix ?

BM: A bit, yes. But I reckon that's a tribute to APE's appeal / influence / reach in photo community

WTJ: Anyone you hadn't come across before that caught your eye with their one image ?

BM: Yes

WTJ: So you did you click on their website ?

BM: Yes

WTJ: Would/will you call in anyones book as a result ?

BM: Haven't decided yet--need time to re-visit.

WTJ: What are the chances someone (new talent especially) may get a job as a result of this exposure ?

BM: EXTREMELY HIGH.

WTJ: On a digression seeing as we have you on; the number of mailers you get on average in the post per day ?

BM: I prefer mailed promos over emailed because I'm guaranteed to LOOK at my mail whereas I might simply delete my emails if I'm overwhelmed. On average I get 5 per day.

WTJ: Percentage you huck in the bin ?

BM: I don't throw anything in the trash-I recycle, otherwise I'd die of agony over the waste of paper.

WTJ: Anything in particular you look for in a keeper ?

BM: Please always include more than one image on your promo--otherwise I will suspect you just got lucky and once took a great photo !

Also, if you have at least 2 (hopefully 3) images on your promo, it will give me a sense of your overall shooting style --so (a) I know what it is and (b) I know that YOU know what it is.

WTJ: Number of emailers you get on average in a day ?

BM: 5-15

WTJ: Do you open them if you don't recognize the address ?

BM: I try to force myself to open all of them--ends up being about 50%

WTJ: And on a closing note promotional pet hate ?

BM: I prefer for promos to not come in envelopes (waste of paper-I'm big on not wasting since we waste so much)-but it doesn't particularly annoy me. I love photos so I don't hold many grudges towards any...

Event reminder

If you are going to treat yourself to one photo event this week I strongly recommend getting along to Aperture tonight for Parsons The New School of Design Artists Lecture series featuring the great Stefan Ruiz. As an added bonus the venerable George Pitts will be in charge of proceedings.


I have been a long time fan of Ruiz and his work. The man is a massive talent that can do it all: portrait, landscape, celebrity, music, fashion, travel, advertising, editorial; and is without out a doubt one of the names atop any photo editors / art buyers wish list.


Ruiz was born in San Francisco, and studied painting and sculpture. He took up photography while in West Africa, documenting Islams influence on traditional West African art. He also taught art at San Quentin State Prison and was the Creative Director for Colors magazine from 2003-2004. You name a magazine and Stefan has shot for them. He has also brought his skill set to some memorable advertising campaigns for Caterpillar, Camper, Diesel and Air France.


I have only had the pleasure of meeting him once and his terrific book 'People' is a personal favorite. Its a mix of everything, straddling all the genres he effortlessly moves between. And I love the text in the back giving a little personal background to all the pics. What is obviously apparent in the book is that not only is Ruiz a great photographer but he is also very aware of his subjects and in particularly the fragility of the human condition.


Rumor has it he is a little nervous over tonights presentation; so come along and show your support. I am sure we are in for a real treat, a chance to see someone truly aspirational and inspirational.


Hopefully I can be as cool and talented as Ruiz when I grow up.

Final edit

Looks like APE has been busy sorting out all the kinks on the free promo. 297 photographers made the cut and Rob has tightened the edit, only having one photo (good move) per participant in the final slideshow. Will be interesting to see if anyone get a job out of this and what sort of traffic it generates. Full screen version available here at I Like These Photos.

Oh and yeah I did give it a lash in case you were wondering and managed to make the cut.

Last nights party

Well we treated ourselves Thursday to a little photo frenzy. First up was a late afternoon trip uptown to AIPAD. James Danziger has a post on his blog from yesterday here thats a nice summation of what you can expect this year. Theres a lot of vintage black and white on display, maybe a sign of the times but don't worry there were still plenty of color behemoths taking over some of the booths. Was nice to be able to wander unopposed, do yourself a favor if you are thinking about a visit and try and get up today before the weekend hoards descend.

Then it was back down to Chelsea for the Blind Spot benefit auction. This was certainly the place to be with a packed crowd on hand making the most of the cocktails and the odd bargain or two as some of the pieces sold for below the initial asking. Spotted in the crowd were photographers: Jeremy Liebman, Victoria Hely-Hutchinson, Eric Ogden, Eric McNatt, Rafael Fuchs, Nick Haymes, Katherine Wolkoff, Mark Tucker (who has decamped to NYC from Nashville for the month), Ber Murphy, Cara Phillips, David Rinella, Ethan Hill, Dietmar Busse, Bill Hamilton, Chris Bartlett, Robert Wright, David Walsh supremo: Primary Photographic Imaging, Lesley Martin & Kellie McLaughlin: Aperture, Nancy Jo Iacoi & Christina Cahill: Orchard Represents, Megan Ziegler-Haynes director of photography: Photoshelter, Jennifer Miller photo editor, Judith Puckett-Rinella photo editor: The New York Times T magazine, Brenda Millis photo editor: Mens Health, Michelle Egiziano photo director: Spin, Eric Miles director rare books and auctions: Photo-Eye and gallerist Jen Bekman.

For a night cap we wandered up to super club Mansion for the Brian Finke bash at the newly installed powerHouse books library. Not really what I was expecting to be honest but think Las Vegas casino hotel and waitresses in French maids costumes and you might begin to get the picture. Brian was on hand and we managed to spot a few friendly faces amongst the throbbing crowd: photographer Darin Mickey, Caroll Taveras photo editors Maisie Todd & Nancy Weisman: ESPN The Magazine & Rory Walsh: Blender.

Unfortunately you will have to use your imagination this week as we are self-portrait free. Pheeeew.

When Is a Fashion Ad Not a Fashion Ad ?

© Juergen Teller

Cathy Horyn pens a piece for todays New York Times Thursday Styles section trying to answer that very question by giving us an insight into the approach of 'the Master' himself Juergen Teller and his blurring of the line over the years on his ground breaking advertising campaigns for Marc Jacobs.

Worth a read here. Thanks Mark for the tip.

Lighting porn

Well with Spring in the air the odds of stumbling upon a photo shoot on the streets of NYC are on the rise. There I was making my way through Astor Place and lo and behold theres some heavy strobe flashing catching my eye across the way.


Wanting to be cool and non plussed one doesn't normally stop and stare but turns out in this instance it was safe to move in for a close up as the photographer du jour was friend and inspirator Eric McNatt (below).


Eric was on assignment for New York Magazine and the pics are slated to run in next weeks issue. You know you can't resist checking his lighting rig. I was tempted to draw up a quick schematic with all the vitals but instead I left the pictures nice and big, go on you know you want to click on them and take a more intimate look don't you !


Then again its not all about the 7b; had this shoot happening right outside my window yesterday.

Coming Attractions: this week / next week

Its really starting to heat up here in NYC and in an attempt to help you navigate the way and keep that calendar in order heres a heads up on some of the coming attractions. This is whats on my radar:

Thursday April 10

The AIPAD Photography Show New York

Opening today thru Sunday April 13

Park Avenue Armory
67th Street & Park Avenue

Show hours will be:
Thursday - 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday - 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday - 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday - 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The admission is $25 daily and $35 for the run-of-show, and includes a show catalogue. No advance purchase is required. Tickets will be available at the door.

More than 75 of the world's leading fine art photography galleries will present a wide range of museum quality work by contemporary, modern and 19th century masters at the Park Avenue Armory in New York City. The 28th edition of The AIPAD Photography Show New York will open with a Gala Preview on April 9 to benefit the John Szarkowski Fund, an endowment for photography acquisitions at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The AIPAD Photography Show New York is the longest running and foremost exhibition of fine art photography.

Gala Benefit Preview:
The AIPAD Photography Show New York will present a Gala Benefit Preview on Wednesday, April 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The evening will benefit the John Szarkowski Fund, an endowment for photography acquisitions at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The fund was established to honor John Szarkowski, one of the most influential curators in photography and a photographer in his own right. Ticket information is as follows:

Benefactor 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ($7,500, 5 tickets)
Patron 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ($1,500, 1 ticket)
Sponsor 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ($500, 1 ticket)
Friend 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ($100, 1 ticket)

To purchase tickets online, please click here. Or, for more information, please contact The Museum of Modern Art, 212/708-9680 or specialevents@moma.org.



Benefit Auction: Celebrating 15 Years of BLIND SPOT info here

Hosted by David Zwirner

533 West 19th Street NYC
bet 10th and 11th avenues

Live & Silent Auctions of Original Artwork

6.00 - 7.00pm: Exclusive Champagne Preview - $ 100.00 Donation

7.00 - 9.00pm: Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction - $ 25.00 Suggested Donation

8.00pm: Live Auction

Benefit Committee: Jen Bekman, Debra Bosniak, Stephen Frailey, Darius Himes, Rhiannon Kubicka, Molly Logan, Peter MacGill, Robert Ransick, Yancey Richardson, Anna Walker Skillman, Rick Wester

Participating Artists includes a veritable whos who: Edward Burtynsky, Roe Ethridge, Jason Fulford, Paul Graham, Katy Grannan, Todd Hido, Ari Marcopoulos, Richard Misrach, Matthew Monteith, Jack Pierson, Stephen Shore, Alec Soth, Larry Sultan, Brian Ulrich and many many more.



powerHouse Books and Mansion New York are pleased to announce the launch of:

Brian Finke - Flight Attendants

The powerHouse Library

starting at 10pm

Mansion New York
530 West 28th Street
between 10th and 11th Avenues


Monday April 14

Photo © Victoria Hely-Hutchinson

School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents 'Mentors'

6.00 - 8.00pm

Visual Arts Gallery

601 West 26th Street
15th Floor
bet 11th and 12th ave

An exhibition of works by nearly 80 photography students inspired by their year-long mentorship with key figures in the arts community. Drawn from the ranks of New York City’s best-known photographers, curators, art directors, publishers, art dealers, critics and writers, SVA’s mentors are paired with students based upon their field of expertise and the student’s area of concentration. The 2007 – 2008 program mentors include Rolling Stone director of photography Jodi Peckman, photography critic Vince Aletti, illustrator Maira Kalman, gallerist Edwynn Houk, fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, and photographers Lorna Simpson, Tina Barney, and Gregory Crewdson, among others.

The Mentors program at SVA was established in 1992 to introduce new talent to the New York City arts community and to cultivate relationships between established and emerging artists. Stephen Frailey, chair of the BFA Photography Department and curator of the exhibition, explains, “Our mentors come from the forefront of their fields and the advice they can offer our students is invaluable. It inspires them to take their work to a new level and to grow as professional artists.”

At the School of Visual Arts, undergraduate students are offered a full range of options in the study of photography: commercial, fine art, fashion and documentary. The department is equipped with state-of-the-art technical facilities; a faculty of nearly 100 members, including not only working photographers but photo editors, critics, publishers and photography dealers; and a curriculum that integrates photographic genres, identities and ambitions, removing the traditional barriers between “art photography” and “commercial photography.” SVA’s diversity in curriculum and the faculty’s wealth of professional experience offer students the freedom and support to explore different directions in photography.

School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City is an established leader and innovator in the education of artists. >From its inception in 1947, the faculty has been comprised of professionals working in the arts and art-related fields. SVA provides an environment that nurtures creativity, inventiveness and experimentation, enabling students to develop a strong sense of identity and a clear direction of purpose.


Tuesday April 15


Parsons The New School for Design Artists Lecture: Stefan Ruiz - one of my most favorite photographers I strongly recommend attending plus George Pitts will be providing the introduction

6.30 p.m.

Aperture Gallery
547 West 27th Street, 4th floor

As part of the ongoing lecture series hosted by Aperture and presented by the department of photography, Parsons The New School for Design, Stefan Ruiz will discuss the work from his recently published monograph, People (Chris Boot, 2006), which gathers striking portraits of Mexican soap stars, Cuban mental asylum residents, Texan cowgirls, and Rwandan refugees. Ruiz’s subjects reveal themselves and their vulnerability through his raw and edgy vision. While serving as Creative Director for COLORS magazine from 2002 to 2004, Ruiz also taught art at San Quentin State Prison. His work has been exhibited at the Havana Biennale, 2003; PhotoEspaña, Madrid, 2003; and an exhibition of the Televisa Studios series is now traveling around Europe.