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

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

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.

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.

Book Club

As if there wasn't enough to do in New York already tonight here's a little something to help prolonge the gallery opening hangover. Especially for those of you who like to keep the party going and like to get their book on while doing their groove thing; the powerHouse Library launches at Mansion. Wondering what all the hoopla is about, well here is the official blurb:

Mansion New York is the inspired creation of Eric Milon, the entrepreneur credited with re-launching the American Riviera on Miami’s South Beach, and Mark Baker, the godfather of New York City nightlife. Within the 10,000-square-foot Main Ballroom resides The powerHouse Library, the centerpiece of the mezzanine. Featuring a selection of powerHouse Books latest releases and classic backlist titles, the Library will host an exclusive series of launch parties and private receptions in conjunction with art shows in the gallery.

Doors at 10PM with Funky Downtown Beats by Frank Delour

Mansion New York

530 West 28th St. between 10th and 11th Avenues

RSVP: powerhouse@mansionnewyork.com

Next Thursday April 10 see's the uber talented Brian Finke take to the Library for a party to celebrate his wonderful 'Flight Attendants' book. Wonder will Brian be hitting the decks or the dance floor ? Either ways we hope he won't be holed up behind the velvet rope and confined to the champagne room.

Coming attractions

Heres what got me all hot and bothered in New York this week. Just a warm up for whats coming next week.

Tuesday April 1

© Todd Hido

Parsons The New School for Design Lectures Present:
Todd Hido : Artist’s Lecture

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, Todd Hido will discuss the spirit of his work. Hido’s recently published monograph, Between the Two (Nazraeli Press, 2006), features photographs of anonymous models in motel rooms, interiors of abandoned houses. He will also discuss his other series, including exterior views of homes at night. His work has been widely exhibited throughout the United States and Europe, and is included in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago; the Cleveland Museum of Art; and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Thursday April 3

© Ryan McGinley

Ryan McGinley 'I know Where the Summer Goes'

Opening reception

6.00pm

Team Gallery

83 Grand Street bet Wooster & Greene

Ryan McGinley’s “snapshots” have been evolving steadily since his guerilla show at 420 West Broadway in 2000. In the intervening eight years he has moved away from an artistic practice that was the soul of casual and towards an elaborated production schedule that raises the ante on “being there.” McGinley has gone from being perceived as the hottest young photographer in town to being considered a serious artist with a rare gift for creating enduring color photographs — photographs that show us the best of youth.

The title of this exhibition, taken from an early B-side by Belle & Sebastian, is more than just a piece of poetic musing. McGinley does, in fact, know where his summers go. In the summer of 2007, for example, he traversed the United States with sixteen models and three assistants, shooting 4,000 rolls of film. From the resulting 150,000 photographs, he arduously narrowed down the body of work to some fifty images, the best of which are on display here at the gallery.

The inspirational images for the project were culled from the kinds of amateur photography that appeared in nudist magazines during the 60s and early 70s. McGinley would sit with his models and look through all of the ephemera of the period that he had collected, discussing with them the mood that he was hoping to capture that day. McGinley had chosen a very specific itinerary that would bring his troop through the incredible range of landscapes that are available across the US and carefully planned a battery of activities, sometimes orchestrating the use of special effects. He has always been quite fond of fireworks and fog machines and in this new work they play a major role.

The very artificial constructedness of the project allows for situations in which the models can both perform and be caught off guard. The resultant pictures of nude young men and women playing and living in the great outdoors are innocent yet erotic, casual yet calculated. Courtesy Team Gallery

© Sze Tsung Leong


Sze Tsung Leong: opening reception 'Horizon Series'

6.00 - 8.00pm

Yossi Milo Gallery
525 West 25th street

Horizons is an ongoing series of photographs, begun in 2001, that depict expansive but detailed views of a broad spectrum of environments throughout the world. The locations of the images may be distant in geography (including Mexico City, Cairo, Banaras, Lisbon, Isle of Skye, Tokyo, and Inner Mongolia, for example), and diverse in subject matter (ranging from pastoral landscapes, to monuments, to everyday spaces, to rivers, to industrial zones, to cityscapes), yet the photographs are linked by a horizon which continues in the same position from image to image. When placed side by side, the images form an extended landscape composed of an accumulation of varied continents, cities, terrains, situations, textures, and colors: an unfinished asphalt cul-de-sac lies before a line of tract houses in Victorville, California (2006); a boat drifts past icebergs in Jökulsárlón I, Iceland (2007); clumps of desert sand collect in front of a remote skyline in Dubai I (2007); red stone buildings seemingly hover over an opaque expanse of water in Canale della Giudecca I, Venezia (2007); beachgoers tread through mud on their way to the shore in Dungeness III (2003); boys play cricket in a clearing among electrical poles in Allahabad I (2008). Courtesy Yossi Milo

Please join Ari Marcopoulos and David Strettell at Dashwood Books for a book signing of Dashwood's inaugural publication “The Chance is Higher” by Ari Marcopoulos:

6.00 - 8.00 pm
Dashwood Books
33 Bond Street bet Lafayette & the Bowery

“The Chance is Higher” is a 72-page book featuring 40 black-and-white images by legendary Dutch photographer Ari Marcopoulos, all of which were printed on a Xerox machine. For years Marcopoulos has worked with Xeroxes as sketches for books, zines, and exhibitions. In love with the simple direct beauty of this low-fi technique, the artist turned to that medium to create this new body of work.

The book is designed by the Swiss team Gavillet and Rust who worked with Marcopolous on his landmark 2005 book “Even the President of the United States Sometimes has got to Stand Naked” (JRP Ringier), their cool elegant style subtly emphasizes the immediacy of the work.

”The Chance is Higher” by Ari Marcopoulos numbered limited edition of 700 copies. Price $85(Deluxe edition signed and numbered in an edition of 50 copies). Order books online.

Coming attractions aka things to do this week

With spring in the air things are certainly beginning to pick up with plenty to help get your photo fix. Here's what tickles my fancy this week in NYC.


Thursday March 27:


Opening reception: Bruce Gilden "Coney Island of the Heart" and others.

Bond Street Gallery

6.00pm - 9.00pm

297 Bond Street bet Union and Sackett
Brooklyn

And as a bonus in the galleries annex we have James White: "James White Photographs" Including 10 limited editions – 8 images of the Victoria's Secret models photographed for Esquire Magazine in a custom made clam shell box.

This is also the galleries opening night proper; located between Smith Street's chic restaurants and shops and the developing neighborhood of Gowanus. This location perfectly illustrates the gallery's mission, which is to present photography from the spaces in between—from artists who often fall through the cracks of the arbitrary and dated classifications of traditional curatorship.

Founded by photographer agent Bruce Kramer (ArtMix photography)and photographer Robert DiScalfani, who lives and works in the neighborhood, Bond Street Gallery is the first photography gallery in the area. It is housed in a 100-year-old townhouse that the founders have restored while keeping the original structure of the building intact. Inside it has exposed brick walls, and out back is a tranquil courtyard.

Bond Street Gallery will blend fine art and commercial photography, the fields in which both founders have worked and lived for decades. "These two worlds are becoming more and more interwoven," says Kramer, "and we want to create an outlet that reflects that.” The gallery will also mix vintage and contemporary, famous and undiscovered, homegrown and foreign.

Saturday March 29:


Slideluck Potshow

Theme: Patterns

Time tbc

Chelsea Art Museum
556 West 22nd Street @ Westside Hwy

In case you are one of the few who don't have a clue on the Slideluck Potshow here is the skinny. Its a non-profit slideshow and potluck for members of arts, photography, and media communities. Participants bring food, drink, and up to five minutes worth of slides. The evening begins with a couple hours of dining on the home-cooked delights of participants, while drinking and mingling. It is not uncommon to arrive with, for example, a full-bodied bottle of wine, some vegetable samosas, Thai green curry, pumpkin ravioli, or some rosemary lamb chops. All guests are asked to contribute as the event is entirely dependent on participation. Following the potluck, the lights are dimmed, the crowd is hushed, and a spectacular slideshow commences.

Slideluck Potshow is a forum for exposing artists, curators and editors to new work, while infusing the arts community with a non-commercial vitality and refreshing exchange. Photojournalists, painters, designers, sculptors, fashion and fine art photographers all show their work alongside one another in a relaxed and spirited atmosphere. Presenters range from the very accomplished to those who have never shown work publicly before, but regardless of status, none is allotted more than five minutes for their slideshow. Past participants include; Elliott Erwitt, Chris Buck, Alec Soth, Martin Schoeller, Doug Menuez, Alex Majoli, Alistair Thain, Bruce Gilden, and Eugene Mirman.

Participants are encouraged to take creative risks, in terms of content and presentation, and to not just show their portfolios. Each slideshow has a section with a theme, as well as non-themed section. The submissions are collected and curated in advance of the slideshow. Cutting-edge multimedia presentations are welcomed and all shows are accompanied by music, commentary, or other surprises.

The event is primarily geared towards photographers, artists, photo editors, reps, art buyers, curators, collectors, designers, and other members of the media. Slideluck has become a place for artists to come together and share their work in a congenial, non-competitive atmosphere. It is rarely held in the same location twice, and the space in which it takes place sets the tone for the evening. More than anything else, this is a fun, inspiring evening, that is meant to remind us of why we are creating in the first place.

Slideluck Potshow was founded by advertising and editorial photographer, Casey Kelbaugh, in 2000. Kelbaugh produced twenty shows around Seattle, and together with Producer Alys Kenny, is now organizing roughly three events a year in NYC. Slideluck has become something of a global phenomenon, as they are now taking place everywhere from Berlin to Minneapolis, Mexico City to Washington, DC. As a 501c(3) pending non-profit, the existence and growth of Slideluck Potshow is very much dependent on the contributions and generosity of the individuals and institutions that lend their support.


Sunday March 30:


Opening reception 'Bitter Sweet': Photographs By Arlene Gottfried

A talk and book signing to be followed by a sunset reception on the beachfront estate to coincide with the release of her latest book "Sometimes Overwhelming" published by powerHouse books.

1:00pm - 5.00pm

The Alice Austen Museum House
2 Hylan Blvd
Staten island

Since the early 70’s Arlene Gottfried has created her own private document of the city, a precious mix of moments that can lead the viewer to laugh, cry and often times blush. She was recently summed up as a “quiet defender of the grimly vibrant denizens of an older New York that’s disappearing daily”, by Tim Murphy of New York Magazine. This show highlights work from he latest book “Sometimes Overwhelming” (published by powerHouse March 2007) and never before seen color photographs that continue her photographic obsession.

Directions:
Take the 1/9 to South ferry, W/R to Whitehall Street
or 4/5 to Bowling Green Station
From the Staten Island Ferry:
Take the #S51 bus to the corner of Hylan Boulevard

ABOUT ALICE AUSTEN HOUSE:

Alice Austen House Museum is a national historic landmark, maintained by the Friends of Alice Austen. Austen was born on Staten Island in 1866, and was introduced to the nascent art of photography at the age of ten by a seafaring uncle. Austen is a singular figure in history, a well-traveled society woman, an accomplished artist with a dramatic personal story that intersected with some of the most important cultural figures of her time.

“Clear Comfort” was the name of the charming waterfront cottage where Austen lived most of her life, along with her companion of 35 years, Gertrude Tate. The home has been preserved as the Alice Austen House Museum to honor her fascinating life and significant contribution to the field of photography.



Blog:Mode - Panel Discussion

The afternoon panel offers an opportunity for a critical and creative dialogue about fashion as both an art form and a reflection of the zeitgeist, as well as the place of the blog to facilitate the public voice.

Panelists include:
Cathy Horyn, journalist and fashion critic, The York Times
Diane Pernet, film festival curator, co-editor-in-chief of ZOO magazine, and editor-in-chief of A Shaded View On Fashion
Scott Schuman, photographer, fashion journalist, and creator of The Sartorialist blog.

3:00 p.m.
The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
Metropolitan Museum of Art

Free with Museum admission

Things to do the rest of the week: NYC, Akron & London

Its a busy night tonight in NYC and here's what tickles our fancy. We have 3 of the 5 boroughs covered but if none of this does it for you there's always Akron.

Thursday March 6


Sarah Lawrence College Presents: Joshua Lutz - 'Meadowlands'

Opening reception 5.00 - 6.30pm

The Barbara Walters Gallery
Heimbold Visual Art Center
915 Kimball Ave
Bronxville, NY



Thomas Holton: The Lams of Ludlow Street

Opening reception: 6.00 - 8.00pm
Sasha Wolf Gallery
10 Leonard Street bet West Broadway & Hudson
Tribeca, NYC



Ten Series - Photographs by Matthew Sleeth and In Almost Every Picture Collected and edited by Erik Kessels

Opening Reception: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Aperture Gallery

547 West 27th Street bet 10t & 11th ave
NYC

These concurrent exhibitions combine two very different approaches to photography.

Ten Series and In Almost Every Picture transform seemingly ordinary scenes into something extraordinary, something that changes our perception of the world around us, especially our world in pictures. For both series, travel plays a role; these images underline two aspects of the photographic impulse—the creative and the commemorative—that often surface when we experience a new location that we want to preserve and share with others. Images that seem commonplace at first take on new weight and emotional charge as we isolate and re-examine them within the exhibition context.

Looking at Kessels’s and Sleeth’s work, we can’t escape an overwhelming feeling of déjà vu, that we’ve seen these pictures before or even made some that look similar. Today, almost everyone uses the camera to capture life in pictures; we take snapshots to create personal connections and to memorialize those connections. Both Ten Series and In Almost Every Picture reference the snapshot and, in so doing, engage the very nature of the photograph.

Both Ten Series and In Almost Every Picture explore the tension between the perceived realism offered by photography and the simultaneous realization that we can never really know anything concrete through the photographic image. In Ten Series and In Almost Every Picture, the everyday has never looked so ordinary or so strange. Courtesy Aperture

Hamburger Eyes - Inside Burgerworld

Exhibition & Reception

The Powerhouse Arena

37 Main Street
Dumbo, NY

If you are a 'Hamburger Eyes' virgin like myself then check out Michael David Murphy's educational post here.



Lecture: Photobiography with Martin Parr

6.30pm - free

Akron Art Museum
One South High
Akron, Ohio


Friday March 7


Tod Papageorge - The Making of a Photographer

7.00pm - £ 7.50

Victoria & Albert Museum

South Kensington
London, England

Acclaimed photographer Tod Papageorge has been head of photography at Yale School of Art since 1979 and is a pivotal figure in the development of an elegant, American, street-savvy style. Coinciding with an exhibition at the Michael Hoppen Gallery, he talks about his work and that of friends and contemporaries.

To learn more about Tod go here.

Bits and pieces

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to read the 'London Calling' post, it is proving to be quite popular on both sides of the pond. Special appreciation to those who commented and gave it the special link juice; Peter Marshall at >Re: Photo, Don Giannatti at It's what I do, Silas Dominey at Farang Hat, Elizabeth Weinberg at Burnt Sienna , Jeremy Leslie at magCulture, Joerg at Conscientious and Rob over at A Photo Editor.

I had some interesting happenings lined up for this week and was looking forward to reporting the goings on. Unfortunately some of the events are no more. Tonights Camera Club of New York lecture with Tierney Gearon has been canceled due to other commercial considerations on her part. I was also thrilled to have been invited to a gathering of the clandestine (joking) Nutopia Forum slated for Thursday night but that has also been postponed due the commercial obligations of founder and host Platon. Looks like it was going to be quite the night and I was really up for observing the inner workings. Hopefully we will get the nod next time out.

Oh and a big shout out to reader who gave me the 'what up' in the street last night; not once but twice. No idea who you are man but obviously the self portrait with artist series is working wonders for my visibility.

Things to do this week . . . . New York

Well here we go again ! Looks like there is plenty happening around town again as we come out from our holiday slumber. Here are a few tasty treats that may tickle your fancy.

Wednesday 9 January


The fabulous Katy Grannan brings us not one but two openings and receptions this week.

First up is 'Another Woman Who Died in Her Sleep'

Greenberg Van Doren Gallery
730 Fifth Ave @ 57th Street

6.00 - 8.00pm


Thursday 10 January


Katy Grannan 'Lady Into Fox'

Salon 94 Freemans
1 Freeman Alley

6.00 - 8.00pm

In the new works, Grannan explores the uneasy relationship between fixed photographic portraiture and her subjects’ mercurial identities. The photographs are replete with ambiguity and contradiction: they are evidence of an invented, unknowable self, confronting inescapable photographic description. Her subjects are “new pioneers,” three northern Californians who struggle to define themselves under the scrutiny of relentless sunlight. California serves as both a literal and metaphorical backdrop for Grannan’s photographs. It is a mythical destination and a real end-point where sunshine illuminates both the abject and the joyful.

Lady into Fox features Gail and Dale, two middle-aged transsexuals and best friends whose experience in the world is mediated by romantic escapism and willful delusion. Grannan thoroughly embraces her subjects’ vision of themselves, their interpretation of femininity, and the pleasure they derive from gender mimicry and performance. The photographs, however, also describe the pair’s solitary interior lives and their deeper existential need to be visible.

Another Woman Who Died in her Sleep follows Nicole, an elusive and complicated woman with whom Grannan worked for nearly three years. Grannan’s shifting photographic approach mirrors Nicole’s ever-changing persona, her defiance, and her near self-annihilation. Here, Grannan questions photography’s ability to describe a complex individual with a single photographic “truth.” Courtesy Salon 94

Domingo Milella

Tracy Williams Ltd
313 West 4th Street bet Bank & West 12th Street

Reception with the artist: 6.00 - 8.00pm

This is Domingo's first solo New York exhibition. A recent graduate from SVA, Milella has spent a little time in his past working with yours truly before going on to greater things working for two of the all time greats, Massimo Vitali and Thomas Struth. Sure to be a big star in his own right don't forget where you read it first.

Milella’s perspective offers us a fresh interpretation of the changing face of our surroundings to day. Close by or far off borders, nations, megalopolis, are the subject of a geography at the edge of importance and function. Using an 8 x 10 camera, Milella captures these contradictory panoramas subtly noting the struggle for place between man and nature in contemporary society. His photographs have a certain impartiality allowing the viewer to interpret the image and draw their own conclusion. Nature seeps through these photographs as vegetation merges with trash in Cuautepec, Discarica, Mexico City. Unfinished rooftops and building debris pile up as the sun pierces the hot landscape in Naucalpan, Mexico City.

Milella’s photographs of industrial cities are not tyrannical. These are images filled with respect and complicity. Unsettling and passionate at once, Milella’s images speak volumes about the urban-human dilemma. However, a sense of hope reigns within his photographs even in the grimmest of settings. Nature’s power to evoke change in the urbanized jungle is brazenly evident. Courtesy Tracy Williams Ltd

Martin Schoeller 'New Work'

Hasted Hunt
529 West 20th Street, 4th Floor

Opening Reception 6.00pm - 8.00pm

In this show Marty brings us more BIG heads. Black & white and color work will be on display that has not been exhibited on the east coast before. Its a cornucopia of faces including celebrities, athletes, musicians, politicians, his family and the debut of his specially commissioned pictures of members from the Amazonian Pirahã tribe. Martin lugged all his gear into the jungle to capture the striking, mysterious faces of the rarely photographed Pirahã people, an indigenous hunter-gatherer tribe that lives primarily on the banks of the Maici River in Brazil. Currently numbered at approximately 360, the culture is in grave danger of extinction. These photographs were specially commissioned by "The New Yorker."



Dawoud Bey 'Class Pictures'

Aperture Gallery
547 West 27th Street, 4th floor

Press & Patron Preview: 6.00 - 7.00 p.m.

Opening Reception: 7.00 – 9.00 p.m.

For the past fifteen years, Dawoud Bey has made striking, large-scale color portraits of high school students across the United States, from a wide economic and social spectrum. Each portrait is accompanied by a brief autobiographical statement from the student. By turns poignant, funny, or harrowing, these revealing words often contradict our assumptions about youth in America. Bey’s unusually respectful and perceptive portraits transcend teenage stereotypes and establish him as one of the best portraitists at work today. Courtesy Aperture

An intriguing show comes at us courtesy of BBlessing and Table Bros

'Adolesence and the Virtues of Maturity' curated by Vincent Skeltis and Daniel Jackson

Featuring the work of Studio Von Birken, Andrew H.Shirley, Danielle levitt, Vincent Skeltis, Daniel Jackson, Justine Parsons and Brendan Donnelly.

BBlessing
181 Orchard Street

Rsvp recommended: rsvp@bblessing.com

8.00 - 11.00pm

Thursday night is certainly action packed I reckon you could do it all, but it won't leave much time for hanging around. I havent made my plan yet beut it could go something like this. Start with Milella then up to Hasted Hunt for Schoeller followed by Aperture a quick cab to the lower east side for Grannan et volia nicely in time f for 'Adolescence and the Virtues of maturity' around the corner on Orchard Street.

Things to do this week . . . . New York

While I missed out on most of the action around town last week others took up the slack. Amongst them was Pelicula 64 who managed to get out and about and posted his own report from the Misrach talk and signing at the Strand Bookstore here, well worth the read. Hey Sylvia hopefully you will be a little more considerate of the little people at your own gig.

I managed to hop an earlier flight back then scheduled on Friday and after a quick freshen up was able to get myself along to the J&L Books event at ICP. So glad I was able to finally get my copy of inspirator Darin Mickeys book 'Stuff I Got To remember Not To Forget' signed. I also ponied up for Ed Panars 'Golden Palms' it was the right thing to do after all seeing as they were both sitting side by side, didnt want Ed feeling left out of all the love, turns out he is a regular 'Jackanory' reader so big up. He has just updated his site well worth a peak, here.

Had a few words with J&L supremo and 'Jackanory' inspirator Jason Fulford (hope I didn't come across as to much of a bumbling fool). Also spotted in the crowd were photographers Gus Powell, Michael Schmelling, Jack Louth, Frank Camarda, Tracy Baran and Katherine Wolkoff, editor Catherine Talese and Jennifer Miller of Fred & Associates.

So enough of that, lets get on with some of the tasty treats that are on offer around town this week. Unfortunately most of the offerings are for Thursday so there are some tough choices to be made.

Monday December 3

Sylvia Plachy - Talk and Book Signing

7:00 p.m.

Free Admission

Barnes & Noble
Chelsea Branch
675 6th Avenue

Sylvia Plachy was the first photographer assigned to shoot the opening photograph of the essential Goings On About Town section of The New Yorker. Plachy will discuss key images from this exclusive assignment, which are featured in her latest Aperture book, 'Goings On About Town': Photographs for The New Yorker (co-published with The New Yorker, October 2007). Plachy explores the city’s dynamics from the inside out, revealing the vital and at times wacky creativity that energizes New York around the clock.

Tuesday December 4

Jessica Dimmock - Artist’s Talk

6:30 p.m.

Free Admission

Aperture Gallery
547 West 27th Street, 4th Floor

Jessica Dimmock is a graduate of the International Center of Photography's program in documentary photography and photojournalism. For her work on heroin addicts in the Flatiron district, she won numerous international awards, including the F Award for Concerned Photography, the Inge Morath Award for Female Photojournalism from Magnum, and the Marty Forsher Fellowship for Documentary Photography from Photo District News. Her work, The Ninth Floor, was exhibited in fall 2007 at Forma, the International Center of Photography in Milan, and her book of the same name was recently published in two editions by Contrasto. Her work has appeared in Aperture, the New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, Time, Fortune, New York Magazine, and Fader. Dimmock's work most often focuses on intimate settings, underground communities, personal struggles, and the human condition. Prior to pursuing documentary photography, Dimmock worked as a public school teacher in Brooklyn, where she is based.


Wednesday December 5

The Society of Publication Designers presents REWIRING WIRED, a conversation with Scott Dadich, Creative Director & Bob Cohn, Executive Editor, moderated by Blender Creative Director Dirk Barnett.

7:00 - 8:30 PM; doors open at 6:30

Katie Murphy Amphitheatre, FIT
27th Street & Seventh Avenue, NYC

SPD Members, $10 in advance ($15 at the door)
Non-members, $15 in advance ($20 at the door)
Students with valid ID: $5
FIT Students & Faculty with valid ID: FREE

For 15 years, WIRED has chronicled the rise of digital culture and the impact of technology on science, business, and society. Along the way, the magazine has earned props for combining editorial excellence with design innovation, winning four National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, including two in the last three years. A pioneer in print design, the magazine that made the newsstand safe for neon inks is now known for ambitious photography, provocative typography -- and neon inks. Earlier this year, WIRED introduced a wholesale redesign, its first in five years. Join Scott, Bob, and moderator Dirk Barnett as they talk about the process of WIRED's reinvention, the challenges of photographing geeks, and the Law of Optical Volumes.


Thursday December 6

American Photo - The second annual Images of the Year Competition

A gallery show and party to celebrate the winners.

7.00pm - 10.00pm

At a rather large photo studio in the West 30's

*This event is by invitation only*



The Camera Club of New York, Lecture Series presents Jonathan Torgovnik

7:00pm
School of Visual Arts Amphitheater,
209 E. 23rd St. (2nd/3rd Aves.)

General admission $10,
$5 for other students with ID

Jonathan Torgovnik has traveled around this country and the world, camera in hand, in pursuit of visual stories about some of the more complicated issues facing people from all walks of life. On assignment in places near and far for such publications as Newsweek, Paris Match, the Sunday Times Magazine, Stern, and others, Torgovnik’s photographs spotlight life in our world through ordinary and not so ordinary people and places.

During his lecture Torgovnik will speak about Intended Consequences, an ongoing project focused on the plight of Rwandan women who were victims of rape during the 1994 genocide and the children who were the product of that horror.

He will also show work from his long-term project, Bollywood Dreams. Published as a monograph by Phaidon Press in 2003, Bollywood Dreams examines the culture and color of the cinema in India.

Additionally, Torgovnik will show other images made while on assignment for Newsweek.

Copies of Bollywood Dreams will be available for purchase. An informal book signing will follow the lecture.


Book signing: Born in the Bronx – A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop

Edited by Johan Kugelberg, photographs by Joe Conzo

Dashwood Books

6-8 pm

33 Bond Street
between Bowery and Lafayette

Hip hop today is considered amongst the most powerful pop-cultural references of the twentieth century but it’s true origins emerged from the spontaneous and progressive musical culture of the tough neighborhood’s of the Bronx in the 1970s. Johan Kugelberg has pulled together the scattered remains of this movement through the improvisational flyer artwork of Buddy Esquire and the photographs of Joe Conzo – the man the New York Times calls “the chronicler who took hip hop’s baby pictures”. Forward by Afrika Bambaataa.

Oh yeah Joe, Johan, Buddy and fuckin Afrika Bambaataa will all be present.


Reimagining Risk
American Power: Whats really at Risk?
Mitch Epstein with Brian Wallis

7:00pm

Donnell Auditorium
The Architectural League NY
20 west 53rd Street

Admission $ 10.00

A conversation between photographer Mitch Epstein and Brian Willis, chief curator of the International Center of Photography. Mitch Epsteins current project American Power, examines energy usage and the idea of excess in the United States. These pictures were made on forays to energy production sites and their environs. Epstein plays with the definition of American power, probing not just corporate power but the powers of nature, sexuality, consumption, and size.

Environmental risks aside, Epstein has discovered that in the United States, since 9/11, making art freely in public space, and artists themselves, are at risk due to governmental and corporate surveillance and security. Epstein will show images from American Power, and speak about cultural, environmental, and artistic risk.

End of the week activities

Tonight:


IRAQ The Space Between by Christoph Bangert exhibition opening and book launch

6.30 - 8.30pm Redux Gallery, 116 east 16th Street, 12th floor


Friday November 16

Photo © Glenn Glasser


New Visual Language: Photography Volume 1, hpgrp gallery

featuring the work of:

Kate Peters

Donald Lokuta

Mickey Smith

Glenn Glasser


Opening Wine Reception: 6.00 - 8.00 pm, 32-36 little West 12th street

Things to do tonight . . . . Dumbo

Photograph © Simon Roberts

Tonight sees the launch of new Dumbo gallery Klompching with its inaugural opening of 'Motherland' a visual exploration of contemporary Russia by British photographer Simon Roberts. Roberts spent a year traveling through the country covering over 75,000 kilometers and in doing so has created one of the most comprehensive photographic accounts of this vast country by a Westerner. The resulting book published by Chris Boot is a real gem and a must have in any collection.

The gallery is owned and run by husband and wife team Debra Klomp and Darren Ching, he being the creative director of PDN and number one Birmingham City fan. They will feature the work of emerging talent alongside under recognized work by established photographers. In addition to exhibitions the gallery will have a full schedule of events including gallery talks, presentations, book launches and signings, check out their news page here for all the goings on.

Roberts will host a walk through the exhibition on November 1st where he will be in conversation with Darius Himes, editor of Photo-Eye, space is limited and will be restricted to the first 25 people to arrive, so start lining up now.

Heres to you KlompChing we wish you every success.

Things to do tonight . . . . Los Angeles

If you are in Los Angeles tonight and have a hankering to know once and for all 'Does Size Matter ?' then get yourself along to LACMA where there will be light-hearted debate on this most serious of questions; artist Jason Fulford and LACMA's new Curator of Photography Charlotte Cotton explore the issues of increasing size and seductive production values in contemporary photography today as part of LACMA's Conversations With Artists series.

The conversation kicks off at 7.00pm and its totally free and no reservations are required, very accommodating. Books (courtesy of D.A.P.) and refreshments will be served after the event until 9.00pm.

Jason is not only one of my favorite photographers but he is also the J behind J & L Books. Unfortunately I will have to miss this weekends New York Art Book Fair where J & L will be holding court amongst some of the other 120 exhibitors as I am back out on duty in the editorial trenches.

Out and about

Chelsea was a veritable zoo last night as a swarm descended on area galleries to take in a beautiful September evening, free booze, beautiful people watching oh and of course the real reason we were all there ? the art and photography. To say the streets were hoppin would be an understatement.

First stop for me was the Alen MacWeeney show. Much as I had expected to be honest with most of the images available for preview on the gallery website here. But some of the prints were exquisite; well worth an up close and personal look. There were also some breathtaking colour prints from MacWeeneys 1990 monograph 'Bloomsbury Reflections' on display and there were signed copies of the out of print book for sale. All in all my travelling party, Mr & Mrs Arun Kuplas and Mr & Mrs Ber Murphy agreed the munchies were most tasty, who makes those exotic tortilla chips ? Alen / Steven ? Spotted in the crowd were photographers Marc Asnin and Dietmar Busse.

Photo © Kohei Yoshiyuki

Next up was the hotly anticipated Kohei Yoshiyuki show 'The Park' at Yossi Milo. The gallery was packed to bursting and it was hard to get a good look see at the pictures themselves but apparently the artist was somewhere in the crowd signing the accompanying book. I was informed the print run has been limited to 1,000 copies so you might want to get your order in fast. I did not get a copy but friend and 'Inspirator' Eric McNatt snapped up one for his collection. Also spotted were Jennifer Pastore from the New York Times T Magazine, Jenny Burgos of ace scanning house Sugarhill Works, Dietmar Busse (again) and man about town Rafael Fuchs.

Photo © Danziger Projects

Then it was a quick hop skip and a jump to Danziger Projects for Andy Freeberg's 'Sentry' show. To be quiet honest I really wasn't enamoured by the narrow gallery space; okay it was busy and thats good but it was hot, hot, hot so we didn't last long but I did like the photographs and managed to grab a couple of extra mini Budweiser cans for the onward journey.


Finally we headed one block further north to the Aperture Foundation Gallery for the Lisette Model show. The place was buzzing but there was still plenty of room to move around and enjoy the huge and varied volume of work on display. A well stocked bar helped keep all happy and the end of the evening came very much like closing time down the pub with flashing house lights and I swear I could hear the bartender calls to kindly finish up ladies and gents, its gone waaaaaaaaaay past the time. Spotted here were Kellie McLaughlin (formerly of Retna now at Aperture), Rafael Fuchs (again), Eric McNatt, artist Dominic Albo, Christopher McLallen, Karl Doyle, the always entertaining Lauren Fleishman and boyfriend Scott Rudd and the papa bear himself Bruce Weber with partner Nan Bush buying up the Aperture bookstore. All in all a most enjoyable evening was had by all.

Things to do tonight . . . . New York

Photo © Alen MacWeeney

'Irish Travellers and Yeats' a show by Alen MacWeeney is opening at the Steven Kasher Gallery, 521 West 23rd street. The opening reception is from 6-8pm and the show coincides with the release of his latest book 'Irish Travellers, Tinkers No More'. Both show and book feature portraits taken by MacWeeney documenting the gypsy families of Ireland known as 'Travellers'. These pictures were taken between 1965 and 1969 and provide a unique glimpse into one of the most misunderstood and often feared social groups in Irish society. The show also features classic imagery that MacWeeney produced based on the poetry of William Butler Yeats.

“I had fallen into the deep pool of a hidden Irish culture,” he writes, and the pictures he took there have the intensity and poignancy of re-discovered love letters. MacWeeney’s black-and-white images recall Dorothea Lange’s sharecroppers, Josef Koudelka’s Gypsies, and classic photo reportage by Gordon Parks, Bruce Davidson, and Danny Lyon. This soulful series is shown alongside photographs from the same period that explore and embody the heady influence of Yeats.” The New Yorker

MacWeeney, now in his 60's/70's ? came to New York from Dublin at the age of 21 and became an assistant to Richard Avedon. He soon made a name for himself as an editorial photographer and became something of a player on the scene. His work has been collected over the years by more than 60 public institiutions including the MOMA and the Met here in New York. I myself interviewed with MacWeeney for an assisting gig when I was fresh off the immigrant boat in the mid-nineties but nothing ever came of the meeting and I seem to remember he moved back to Europe/Ireland sometime after that. Anyways looks like he is back in town now and ironically 'Inspirator' and friend Arun Kuplas sat next to MacWeeney only last month on a flight from Frankfurt to New York. Turns out Alen was pretty chatty for the 8 hours on learning his seat mates profession.