My Kind of Town... Part 2

A Motive For Change © Carlos and Jason Sanchez 2004

Right off the bat I have to confess that art fairs make me uneasy. It's like a field trip to the sausage factory. I am happier not knowing about this uncomely, but necessary side of the art world engine. Given my art fair apprehension, our trip to Art Chicago was a mixed bag. I appreciate seeing individual pieces by photographers I respect, and it's satisfying to see your work in the mix, but the naked commerce and shotgun context leaves you wanting to head for the exit the moment you walk through the entrance.

I managed to pull it together and tour a few of the aisles at Art Chicago. I was amazed at the number of Burtynsky's, Polidori's, and Hofer's hanging on the temporary walls. Large scale prints of empty places would seem to be the currency of contemporary photography. The highlight for me was seeing work by my favorite photographer siblings, Carlos and Jason Sanchez, at the Cutts Gallery booth. I have been a fan ever since I saw their work in the Ecotopia exhibit at the ICP

After several hours at the art mall of America, the Versionfest exhibition curated by Brian Ulrich and Jon Gitelson was the perfect palate cleanser. Any time you can fill a warehouse with cool people to view some great photography while drinking PBR, you know you are in with the right crowd.

My Kind of Town...

Just back from three fabulous days in the Windy City. More on the trip later, but quick highlights include the 43rd Annual Versionfest Photographic Invitation, Art Chicago, staying with Matt and Betsy, cheap beers with Alec Soth, hanging with Julian Montague, and Sunday brunch with the crew. The Chicago photography scene is tight, focused, and just plain fun. Again, more detail later, but what a wonderful time. Thanks to Brian Ulrich and Jon Gitelson for making it possible.

Come On Feel the Illinoise!

I have finally cracked the inner sanctum of the Loyal Order of Chicagraphers. Grand Poobahs, Brian Ulrich and Jon Gitelson, have curated the 43rd Annual Versionfest Photographic Invitational and graciously invited this New Yorker to commune with the Chi-town faithful. I have spent the better part of a month practicing for the initiation ceremony, but I'm still not sure if I need to provide my own goat for the ritual sacrifice...

The line-up for the Versionfest exhibition is a Murderers' Row of photographers. In addition to my Domesticated work, the show will feature works by Bill Sullivan, Jason Lazarus, Zoe Strauss, Shawnee Barton, Todd Deutsch, Michael Northrup, Julian Montague, Mary Farmilant, and Jack Edinger. Definitely not to be missed.

43rd Annual Versionfest Photographic Invitational
Zhou B Center, 2nd Floor
1029 W. 35th Street
April 26 - May 6
Artist Reception: Saturday, April 28, 7 - 9:30 PM

If you'd like to see the Domesticated prints in a more commercial setting, stop by the Paul Kopeiken Gallery booth during Art Chicago.

Art Chicago
The Merchandise Mart
April 27-30

I will be in Chicago this weekend for both events. If you're in town and would like to meet up, drop me a note.

Every Story Takes a Picture

© Alison Brady 2006

New York Magazine highlights images from three photographers currently showing in New York galleries. The three photographers, Lisa Kereszi, Alison Brady, and Kelli Connell, happen to be three of my favorites and all happen to be women. I mention they are women because, sadly, the paucity of wall and written space committed to female artists in this city makes this a rare and significant event. But, I digress...

Alison is the first photographer from our amazing SVA MFA class to have a solo show. I am so happy for her and look forward to seeing her work at Massimo Audiello.

Photo of the Week: Werewolf, East Harlem, NY

© Amy Stein 2005

Stranded Series Featured on Solo Show

© Amy Stein 2006

Humble Arts Foundation is a not-for-profit that has been providing invaluable grant, publication, and exhibition opportunities to emerging photographers for a couple of years now. I am a veteran of their Group Show series and now I can add Solo Show to my resume. For the next month you can see photos from my Stranded series on the Humble site. In addition to the Stranded photos, you can read an interview with moi conducted by the lovely Julie Fishkin. Big thanks to Amani Olu and Jon Feinstein for selecting my work for this wonderful honor.

If you want to get a taste of the good work Humble Arts Foundation is doing and support their mission, I suggest you pick up a copy of their first publication, Story. The book features documentary photographs by thirteen new and emerging photographers as well as essays by the aforementioned Mr. Feinstein.

Kenny the Retarded White Tiger

© Taryn Simon

Last week I attended a lecture by Taryn Simon at Aperture. Taryn has always inspired me and I find a lot of parallels between our approach to photography. The lecture was great and I learned a bit about her process, but I walked away fascinated by her image of Kenny, a retarded white tiger, from the series, An Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar. It would be safe to say that Kenny has haunted my dreams. Of course, it doesn't help that the subways of New York are plastered with ads for the Ringling Bros circus that features three white tigers (are they retarded, too?) and a clown with a high top fade (definitely retarded).

The process of producing white tigers is pretty horrible and those that survive end up being sentenced to life with flamboyant magicians and eccentric celebrities. Not exactly prime tiger habitat. Seriously, read up on white tigers and you will be haunted, too

The AIPAD Photography Show

The AIPAD Photography Show kicks off tonight with a benefit preview and then continues all weekend. This is the big New York photo event with all the top galleries showcasing some of their best photographers. If you want to see my Domesticated work in all its ecotone glory, please stop by the Paul Kopeikin Gallery booth. Hope to see you there. I will be the woman strolling the aisles, drool-cup in hand, making a big list of all the photos I wish I had the bankroll to own.

Photo of the Week: Roadside Bride, Milford, PA

© Amy Stein 2006

I *Heart* Zoe Strauss

© Zoe Strauss

I admit it. I have a complete photo crush on Zoe Strauss. I have never met her, so it's hard to nail down why I have become so enamored of late. The source of my shine may be the immense talent that put her in the Whitney Biennial. It may be because she is single-handedly stripping away the crusty mantle of art world pretension that has built up between artists, their subjects, and the public. It may because she has pulled back the curtain and demystified the creative process making her photography completely accessible and her progression refreshingly democratic.

I think these are crush-worthy qualities, but what really has me smitten is that she seems to do it all with an infectious combination of bad ass spunk and a pure, unflinching glee. Zoe's energy is an addictive force, not unlike chocolate covered crack. You can get a sense of it in the trailer for the new documentary about her and her work, If You Break The Skin.

I consider myself pretty fortunate to be in a group show with Zoe this month in Chicago. The show is part of Version Fest and is being curated by the dynamic duo of Chicagraphy, Brian Ulrich and Jon Gitelson. I will post more about the show later.

Zoe, if you go to the opening I promise to keep the fawning to a minimum.