On the Road

From Hijacked, Rhonda + Chantelle © Graham Miller

I am leaving this morning for a week in Berlin to see my show at Pool Gallery and attend the book launch and exhibition of Hijacked at Neunplus. After that I will be meeting my husband in Italy for a needed week away from all things photo. When I return to the states I go immediately to Syracuse for my month long Light Work residency and then to San Francisco for the opening of my solo show at the Robert Koch Gallery. Between Syracuse and San Francisco I will be in Chicago for the opening of Beyond the Backyard at the Museum of Contemporary Photography.

It's all very exciting, but the idea of being away from home for so long is freaking me out.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Last night was surreal. 400 people packed into a little piece of elegance in a warehouse in DUMBO. A cellist plucking maudlin stings as a series of presenters, photographs and winners flashed before the crowd. And then Martin Parr announcing the nominees for the Photography Book award.

"And the winner is...Amy Stein."

Strange and wonderful things happening at the New York Photo Festival.

New York Photo Frenzy

Football, 2000 © Juliana Beasley

New York City is thick with photographers and photo related sorts right now as the New York Photo Festival gets under way. A ton of festival related events are going on, but I will be hiding away printing for a big solo show I will announce very soon.

If you want to enter the eye of the photo storm and attend one event I suggest Book Soup. Never before have so many photographers with books been assembled in a single room. And they all have pens! My very dear friends Juliana Beasley and her book Lapdancer and Rachel Papo and her book Serial No. 3817131 will be part of the action. Buy their books and get them signed.

Here are the details:

Book Soup
A Photography Panel Discussion and Book Signing Event

Thursday, May 15, 2008
Panel Discussion: 8–9pm
St Ann’s Warehouse
38 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Book Signing: 9–10pm
The powerHouse Arena
37 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Battle Eruption: Eddie vs. the Volcano

© UPI

Just saw these breathtaking photos from the eruption of the Chaitén volcano in Chile. Truly awesome display of nature's power.

This got me thinking about another awesome display of nature's power. I speak of Eddie Van Halen melting terra firma with his guitar on Eruption.



Naturally this begs an epic question. If Chaitén and Eddie met in a back alley and staged an 'eruption-off' who's bringing the hot lava and who's going home crying Pele's tears?

Chaitén photos via Talking Points Memo

I Love Gifts in the Mail: Patrick Romero

© Patrick Romero

A couple of weeks back Patrick Romero sent me a copy of his self published book, 28 Famous Views of Los Angeles. I have been so busy of late that I haven't had an opportunity to write about it until now.

Patrick's book is a short but wonderful stroll through a Los Angeles that exists someplace between popular legend, personal myth and fading reality. The images perfectly capture the hazy beauty and vague temporality of the city and I would hope a smart L.A. gallerist out there would contact Patrick and show these little gems ASAP.

UPDATE: If you want your own copy of 28 Famous Views of Los Angeles send Patrick an email. The book is a steal at $20 and supplies are limited, so chop chop.

New American Fables Installation Shots

The good folks at Pool Gallery were kind enough to send me some installation shots from my New American Fables show that is up right now. In related news, yesterday I booked a ticket to Berlin so I can see the show in person and catch the Hijacked book launch and exhibition at Neunplus. Ich bin ein Berliner!