Interviewed on Identity Theory

© Amy Stein 2006

Last week Alexandra Tursi interviewed me about my photography, my influences, and the Do You Know What It Means project. The interview is now posted on the Identity Theory site. Other recent Identity Theory interviewees include photographer, Abelardo Morrell, Sleater-Kinney guitarist, Carrie Brownstein, and Poet Laureate, Donald Hall, so I feel duly honored and humbled.

5 Things Meme Tag...I'm It

Brian "Pegboy" Ulrich has called me out with a '5 things meme' blog chain letter challenge. Well, world, this is the unknown me:

Queen of Leisure: I was the youngest ever resident of the assisted living paradise that is Leisure World. They enforce a strict over-55 age policy, but I managed to skirt the law for a few months to take care of my father. While there I made extra cash working ham salad duty at Honey Baked Hams.

Hot Dog: I am card carrying member of the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) and had dreams of being the first woman to battle the mighty Kobayashi for the Coney Island hot dog crown. My gurgitator dreams were dashed with the sudden rise of the Black Widow, Sonya Thomas, and my own fears about the potential rise in my cholesterol level.

Camp Nerd: For three straight summers during the 80s I attended Champlain College Computer Camp. You can't get much more nerdy than a summer of canoeing, smores, and FORTRAN.

Just Say Whoa, Man: Selected as my high school's representative for a "Just Say No" conference at the White House with Nancy Reagan. Attended the event and met with Nancy and Ronnie while nursing a vicious hangover.

That's My Cookie: My husband is a Girl Scout! Seriously.

I'll tag: Shen Wei, Jen Bekman, Shane Lavalette, Lisa Hunter, and Amy Elkins

Photo of the Week: Sunbathers, Caleta Beach, Mexico

© Amy Stein 2003

No Super Bowl for the Saints

Just got back from watching the NFC Championship Game with a family in St. Bernard Parish. Sadly, the fated season of the New Orleans Saints has come to an end at the hands of some midwestern ursines. I’m not exactly a football fan, but being in this city at this time it’s easy to get caught up in the collective hope of tested people. I am buoyed by the mental image of a bunch of drunken Chica-graphers™ doing the Super Bowl Shuffle tonight.

I Love Photo L.A.

Paul Kopeikin Gallery, Photo L.A. 2006

If you are a fan of photography and the warm kiss of Pacific sunshine you are probably packing the Amex card and the suntan lotion in preparation for this year's Photo L.A. While there, I urge you to stop by the Paul Kopeikin Gallery booth and check out all the quality photography he will be exhibiting, including my own Domesticated work.

Also on the 'must see' list is Jeongmee Yoon's work at Jenkins Johnson.

The details:

Photo L.A.
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
1855 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening Reception hosted by Graham Nash
to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation
Thursday, January 18th, 6 - 9pm

Public Fair Hours
Friday, January 19th , Noon - 7pm
Saturday, January 20th, Noon - 7pm
Sunday, January 21st, Noon - 6pm

New Orleans, I'll Be There

Leaving tomorrow morning for a month in New Orleans to continue work on the Do You Know What It Means project. I think this will be the final push and then I can get back to being a full time photographer. While I am down there I am going to take a couple of long road trips through east Texas and Mississippi to continue work on the Stranded project.

I'll drink you under the table
be red nose go for walks
the old haunts what I wants
is red beans and rice
and wear the dress I like so well
and meet me at the old saloon
make sure there's a Dixie moon
New Orleans, I'll be there

-Tom Waits, I Wish I Was in New Orleans

Photo Show Madness

© Brian Ulrich 2003

So many good photography shows going on in Chelsea right now. Finally caught Brian Ulrich's work at Julie Saul. Wonderful stuff and I overheard gallery folks saying the prints were flying off the shelves like so many patriotic chairs. Brian has had so much praise heaped his way of late he doesn't need me to tell him how amazing the work is, but I will say it anyways. Brian, the work is amazing.

Also worth seeing are shows by SVA faculty member, Andrew Moore, at Yancy Richardson and SVA alum, Suellen Parker, at Daniel Cooney, as well as Adam Bartos at Yossi Milo.

Photo of the Week: Elk Behind Fence, Zion National Park, UT

© Amy Stein 2006

Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea

We arrived back in chilly New York last night after seven days of blue sky perfection in Huntington Beach and the L.A. basin. When you experience multiple 70+ degree days and countless beach strolls in January your New York angst washes away and you start perusing California real estate listings.

The 3 x 5 opening at Paul Kopeikin was a great. Paul has a great space and the Domesticated work looked amazing on the walls. The opening was packed to the gills with L.A art scenesters, plus lots of old and new friends, family, and a few celebrity sightings. Thanks to everyone who made it out and to all my friends who spread the word over the Internets. The 3 x 5 show runs through February 3, so try to make it to over to Wilshire and see the work.

Tonight, I am going to try to make the Chelsea scene and catch the On the Wall: Aperture '05-'06 opening at the Aperture Gallery. See you there.

Going Back to Cali

Watering Hole © Amy Stein 2005

Xin Nian Yu Kuai...Feliz Año Nuevo...Godt Nytår...Happy New Year!

I will be in Southern California January 4 through January 8 to spend time with my inlaws in Huntington Beach and attend the opening of a show I am in at the Paul Kopeikin Gallery. Here are the details on the show and opening reception:

3 x 5
Paul Kopeikin Gallery
January 6, 2007 - February 3, 2007
6150 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 6, 2007 - 6:00 to 8:00 PM

If you are cruising down Wilshire on January 6, please stop by the opening and say hi.

While in SoCal I hope to make the museum and gallery scene and see some top notch photography. Definitely going to catch the Todd Hido show at the Rose Gallery and the Where We Live exhibition at The Getty. If you know of any other 'can't miss' openings, shows, or concerts going on in LA or the OC, drop me a note.