NOTIFBUTWHEN #2

What's Going On

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:45:00 +0000

This blog's been quiet as of late not out of neglect but more out of schedule. A million projects, coupled with a million prints and a million pictures to make (ok maybe subtract 840,543 out of that equation).
I couldn't be happier then this morning to receive the news that good friend, mentor and artist Dawoud Bey has started up a blog of his own. Dawoud is a man of a thousand stories and now he has the forum to tell you all. He begins already with a post on the Art fairs in Chicago and a seemingly simpler era of the 4th St. Photo Gallery.
Check them out:
What's Going On?

I'll surely be checking daily for posts.

Something is happening in the Art World, right now.

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:52:00 +0000

Scope Fair, NYC 2008

This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:22:00 +0000

Woah. Tons of events this week in conjunction with the Art Fairs. My social anxiety is kicking in just looking at it all.
There is indeed many good things, the Art Fairs (look for my work at Robert Koch Gallery and Rhona Hoffman); the SAIC exchange show curated by Marco Poloni that opens on Fri. (Ed Winkleman recently discussed on his blog); the SAIC MFA Photo students; Ben Gest's new work looks exciting; Cecil McDonald; oh my...
Starts off this evening.

Tuesday:

Mind the Gap, Contemporary German Photography
Manuela Barczewski, Sonia Jimenez Alvarez, Annette Jonak, Sabrina Jung, Anatasia Khoroshilova, Anne Lass, Patricia Neiligan, Almut von Pusch, Rivkah Young
Opens Tues. 6-10pm
Country Club
1100 N Damen Ave.
Show runs from April 23d - 27th 3-6pm

Wednesday:

Julia Hechtman Lecture
Noon
Wed. April 23rd
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
280 So. Columbus Drive
Room 214

Anthony Goicolea Lecture
6pm
Wed. April 23rd
Columbus Auditorium (2nd Floor)
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
280 So. Columbus Drive

Thursday:

Art Chicago, Next, the Artist Project, Artropolis, etc.
Private Preview.
Public hours:
Friday, April 25 11am–7pm
Saturday, April 26 11am–7pm
Sunday, April 27 11am–6pm
Monday, April 28 11am–4pm

Friday:

School of the Art Institute MFA Thesis Exhibitions
Friday April 25 9-11pm
Gallery 2 & Project Space
847 W. Jackson Blvd., 2nd & 3rd Floors
Exhibition hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Extending viewing: April 30 & May 16, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Three Hours Between Planes, Contemporary Photography From Chicago and Leipzig
Chicago Cultural Center
Participating Artists: Stefan Fischer, Jill Frank, Sveinn Fannar Johannsson, Stephanie Kiwitt, Chelsea Tonelli Knight, Dominique Koch, Lilly McElroy, Elise Rasmussen, Andreas Schulze, Jan Sledz, Scott Patrick Wiener
April 19–July 6, 2008
78 E. Washington Street, Chicago
Opening reception: April 25, 5–8pm, Gallery Talk: April 25, 5pm

Strange Habit
Curated by Luke Batten
Participating Artists: Shane Huffman, Steven Husby, Emily Kennerk, Curtis Mann and Alice Shaw
I Space
230 West Superior, 2nd Fl.
April 25 - May 31
Opening Reception Friday April 25, 5-8pm

Saturday:

Ben Gest
Stephen Daiter Gallery
311 W. Superior St. #404
April 26 - June 28
Opening Reception Saturday April 26, 5-8pm

Cecil McDonald Jr., "Domestic Observations"
Catherine Edleman Gallery
300 W. Superior St.
April 26 - May 31
Opening Reception Saturday April 26, 6-8pm

Consuming Images

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:15:00 +0000

Been doing some research and writing today and came across this amazing series from Bill Moyers. Now more relevant than ever.

"The Truth is that which sells; if people buy it, it's right" - Stuart Ewen

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Versionfest, Proximity, Ron Olsen and Chicago Events

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:28:00 +0000

It's that time of year for the annual Versionfest here in Chicago. Lasts years was a hoot and even made some people nervous. In fact a few hours away from now the Dark Matter group show opens in Bridgeport. I helped a bit with the curating and laying out the show last week and it's looking to be a good one. Dark Matter is a group show which tosses out the distinction between high and low art (let's face it, the artfairs have proven there is little difference), and instead taps into a collective consciousness that artists of all backgrounds seem to be responding to in their practice. Whether activism, collages from food containers, psychedelic vinyl porno drippings or an art informational Elotes cart these artists reach out to form communities, react against hegemonies or simple create laborious works meant to drizzle away time space and escape from one reality by creating another.
This Versionfest also marks a first for me, showing a work from my collection (in addition to one of my Thrift pictures). We included the drawing Ron Olsen made for me 2 years ago. Long time readers of the blog may recall my post on Ron and his drawing of 'perpetual battlefields'. Dark Matter indeed.

Detail from Ron Olsen, 2006 (War In Wal Mart Parking Lot)
Artists include:
Michael Genovese, Kate Bingaman-Burt, Michael T Rea, E.C. Brown, Jefferson Mayday Mayday, JC Hammes, Edra Soto, Adam Farcus, Brian Ulrich, Greg Stimac, Aron Gent, Chris Roberts, Ryan Davies, JJ Stratford, Alice Bradshaw, Randall Garrett, Daniel St george II, Sharon Parmet, Ryan Davies, Natalie Steinmetz, Cole Robertson, Lisa Yu, Christopher Ilth, A.S. Lawrence , Nat Ward, Natalie Steinmetz, Dave the Lightbulb man, Vicki Fowler, Thunderhorse, E*Rock, Neville, Erika Mikkalo, Jenny Inzerillo, J. Byrnes, Mary Balda, Jon Bollo, R.K. Shuquem, Nicholas Schutzenhofer, Jenny Tsiakals, Rose Candela, James Adam, AROE, Oscar Arriola, Juicy, Tony Arriola, Peter KISER Berry, CHILE, Sara Condo, COPE2, COSBE, CRAE, CYCLE, CYFN, Nicky Dieter, EGOR, EVOKE, FACT, GOMA, David COVE Gonzalez, GYROS, Joel DEPTE Ibarra, IRAK, JACK, Rick Jara, JARE, A. Lewellen, MELON, READ MORE, RIBITY, RK9, SHIP!, SIVEL, SMUT, SWEK, SWIS, TELLY, TRUE, TWIST, Ryan Valvick and many others . To see work by participating artists go to this Flickr page .

Another first is the debut issue of Proximity Magazine. If buddies Ed and Rachel Marzewski don't have enough on their plate with running the Versionfest and an art/performance venue, they're created a fantastic new magazine centered on local and global art and art communities. The first issue rocks and is chock full of interviews with curators, artists and writings on empowerment, cultural criticism and Chicagoland cholos. This city just got tons cooler. Buy one and feel your money funding the greater good.

Jason Lazarus Interview Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:02:00 +0000

I think I've mentioned before what a fan I am of Jason Lazarus' work. His current show up in Chicago, This is gonna take one more night is full of smart, endearing, compelling and the Jay-Laz-brand-of-humor images that have come to define him and his work. I decided to do ask Jason some questions about his show. I also just learned that Jason and I will be showing together in a 2-person show here in Chicago of our photographs from the Wright Commission Jason and I both did last year. So our conversation will continue into a 2 part interview to be posted closer to our opening of that show in May.
Jason's solo show closes tomorrow and he ends it with an all day temporary installation in the space. In addition also on hand will be a self-published catalogue created for the occasion of the exhibition. The catalog is in an edition of 100, each catalogue includes a small editioned print (shown in the attachment), an interview with Karen Irvine from the Museum of Contemporary Photography, and 40 pages of full color recent work...$100.00

Join Jason Saturday, April 12th from 11am - 5pm
This is gonna take one more night
Bucket Rider Gallery
835 West Washington
Chicago IL 60607

Here's Part 1 of the interview:
How are artistic decisions different now vs. 2003.
What things have you held onto?

the self portrait as an artist series is still important today, and to me is the main artery of the work as it was in 2003. in that series in particular, i've held on to the notion of 'play' in the work in order to penetrate, reflect, etc certain themes and ideas. the difference is that i don't have as much work in the self portrait series that is focused on the art world as institution or the notion of an artist in contemporary society...there is work now that is simultaneously political and experiential--standing in cabrini green, underneath a fireworks display that is named 'america's answer'...and so on.

I've known you for a long time and know you to be well schooled in the traditions of photography. (In fact your casual snaps always surprise the hell out of me). Though in your artistic practice you seem to push up against that. Do you see a difference btwn. the two? Is one more 'art' than another?

No not at all...I am always pining to make work that is like eggleston/christian patterson and do occassionally. i think i am focused on one way of working right now and i have to find that right time/place to flex those other muscles--pure visual play...although i think that is one thing i may work on in vienna, austria--i'll be there for a residency for 2 months this summer. i always fall back to some kind of conceptual structure, and that is my strength i think. i like the pressure this approach causes to really investigate an idea.

Your work combines photographic and artistic practice in a few ways; it makes the personal apparent, it addresses social issues and finally retains some sense of irony and cleverness (or straight up comedy). Often it does this in one picture. Is one more important than another?

to me what is important is, as it does in the self portrait as an artist series, it veers back and forth. in the exhibition that is up right now...you have a picture that is a long exposure of fireworks entitled, "Entire three minute duration of 'America's Answer' fireworks package" and this picture is 59x74" and is next to a 16x20" picture of a plant sitting on a windowsill at night called "End of summer lover, the plant on her windowsill". not only do these pictures play off each other physically but one is very interior, brooding, still, and the other is very public, political, and visually seductive. playing in the continuum of these two poles is what makes photography fun, interesting, and satisfying...that series is about the notion of an examined life--and that can contain many seemingly disparate elements. the place where those pieces coalesce is my interest.

When speaking with my class at your exhibit the other day, several of them commented that hearing your explanation and discussion of the work made it complete. Is there a concern that ambiguity might win over narrative?

yes, very much so. i have the self portrait series which is visually disparate, a diptych from the Living with a portrait series, a picture from the Wright commission, and a diptych from an artist book called "The last rose of summer on my nightstand," as well as a back room filled with 3 pieces from the Nirvana project. the show is demanding of the viewer and i don't assume everyone wants to come along for the ride. on the other hand, it's the show i wanted to mount because there are some interesting intersections among the multiple series and i wanted to investigate that. i have faith that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. also, chicago is my artistic hometown, so the place to mount a show like this is here, and hopefully some people navigate it to their delight!

Biggie Auction Time (Coast to Coast)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:20:00 +0000

Untitled, 2006 Thrift 0609, c-print 30x40" ed. 1/5
Quite an honor to be included in 2 auctions taking place later this week.
It's also humbling to know that many of the organizations/venues many think have the powers to define artists are themselves struggling to get by as well. Art institutions are built on donations. Blindspot doesn't run many ads at all so revenue is built upon your support. Auctions are a case where everyone wins as you can contribute and potentially go home with artwork.
Here's the details:
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
MCASD
La Jolla, CA

Untitled, 2005 Thrift 0509, c-print 30x40" ed. 1/5

Blind Spot Auction
Thursday, April 10
Auction Preview at David Zwirner
April 8-10, 10am-6pm
David Zwirner
533 West 19th Street NYC 10011

Hank, Melanie and Art Talking

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:19:00 +0000

Priceless #1
Lectures and artists are a funny thing. There is a lot of expectations on them. I'll hear people talk about how they liked an artists' work until they heard them speak about it. Most artists are well learned in visual and conceptual ideas but maybe because of movies or stand up comedy I think some people expect to be entertained. Others, it seems go seeking to discover if indeed the artist is sincere about what they're doing. I myself have certainly been swayed and even disappointed when someone clearly cannot discuss their own work or ideas, or wowed when a lecturer really expounded my understanding of their work. I like to tell students that the discussion of their work is the opportunity to steer and give framework to the dialogue and understanding of it.
Hank Willis Thomas tonight did some of my favorite things in a lecture at the School of the Art Institute. He was candid and earnest with the audience. I've been a fan of Hank's since I first met him at Review Santa Fe a few years back. Since, I've seen his excellent work in Adbusters, artfairs and we've even shared a few group shows. So even with having some degree of knowing his character there were still surprises. Hank showed a lot of work which described his beginnings in photography and development into a concept and concern. Hank even made is look easy, even though I know what's up on the screen is the result of much work. I left wanting to experiment and stop making my work so complicated. Ultimately what was nice was Hank was not performing or even stragetizing but that his work does many of these things without his words. Having his there to give us further insight was a treat (without the popcorn!).

Rainbow, 2006
Later this week Melanie Schiff gives a lunchtime talk also at the School of the Art Institute. I'm also a big fan of Melanie's work and ran up to the Whitney Biennial last week to get a closer peek at her celebrations of light, CD cases, spit rainbows and general rock history. Her prints themselves are painstakingly seductive, (I know we're always trying to find the perfect lambda print lab here in the city). Melanie also makes it look easy as I always run into her at artfairs on some street where I'm in a panic trying to get to some appointment and she's on her way to the beach. Looking forward to seeing more at her talk. Join us:

Melanie Schiff, part time faculty member
Wednesday, April 9th at NOON
280 South Columbus (at Jackson)
School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Next week is another I'm excited about, David Maisel at Columbia College on Thursday April 17th.

Robert Adams and Papageorge

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:46:00 +0000

Eric Etheridge points me to this interesting post of his on an interview w/ one of my faves, Robert Adams. Discussing my even more favorite book of his, What We Bought the New World.
Back when I worked at a gallery, good friend Tom Gitterman gave a copy of this book as a parting gift when I decided to head to the midwest in pursuit of more photography time. It was quite the book and I referenced it many times over the years, lending it out to students until someone told me it was out of print and worth some cash. As much as I loved the book I remember always thinking specifically that with the shopping pictures a lot more could be done there. This was reinforced on a trip to the UK and seeing many of the prints in person at the Cruel and Tender exhibition.
When the MP3 book by Aperture came out last year, I sent Robert a copy with a note explaining what an influence his work was on mine and to my surprise promptly received one back.
Aperture recently re-published the also rare book of his, The New West, which I also recommend. A traveling exhibit of Adams work begins touring in 2010.

Mux It Up

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:35:00 +0000

Sea of Peeps at the Being True opening at the Journal Gallery, Brooklyn (sponsored by Nike)
I jumped on the bandwagon and made you all a Muxtape. (Even contains a song I wrote back when I was 22.)

Sarah Anne Johnson Needs Your Vote

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:48:00 +0000

Sarah Anne Johnson, Ben, 2005 from The Galapagos Project
I recall the first time seeing Sarah Anne Johnson's work thinking that if someone had explained the work before hand I would've scoffed. Thankfully I encountered her work without that knowledge and discovered her wonderful interplay between photographs, and memories/interpretations of an event through sculptures. Her installation at Julie Saul Gallery consisted of sculptures, photographs, photographs of sculptures, photographs of kids camping in the woods recreated after sculptures of a memory of the same event, etc... Sarah's work is one of the rare ones where she can effortlessly combine all this media and I can say that the work exists as a whole. (Though her portrait above has me downright jealous).
Well Sarah like many of us needs cash. In fact she's up for a sizable sum of $50,000 and she needs your votes to get it. The Grange Prize is an annual award given to Canadian and International photographers. You can vote easily online here for Sarah or any of the others.

Nu Yawkers, Fairs and Lite Bites

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Hot off the heels of hanging (hanging consists of crate building, book editing and photo talk) with mustachographer, Chris Taylor who was visiting Chicago last week, I've teleported to the hometown of NY for a week of picture taking, checking out art fairs and seeing old and new pals. Come find me.

I also have new work from the Wright Commission up in the Scope fair (and maybe some others?).

SCOPE NEW YORK 08 - BOOTH #9, Project 4 Gallery
SCOPE Pavilion at Lincoln Center Damrosch Park
62nd Street and 10th/Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10023

Eyeteeth / Walker Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:34:00 +0000

Backrooms_11, 2007

Buddy Paul Schmelzer of the Center for Independent Media, and the Minnesota Monitor, formerly editor of the Walker Art Center blogs and magazine, Adbusters, Alternet, Cabinet, Ode, Raw Vision, Utne, and Worldchanging.com, among others including his own excellent blog, Eyeteeth posted this interview with me regarding the Walker Art Center, World's Away exhibit as well as some new Backrooms pictures.

Take a listen here:

This Is Gonna Be One More Night (I Miss)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:14:00 +0000

Jason Lazarus
It's been amazing this last year doing so much traveling. The downside though is I miss a lot of the openings and social stuff going on in Chicago. Tonight is one that downright hurts. Some really great shows I've been aching to see are opening. Indeed if you're a 4 hour drive away from Chicago, I'd say get up and get behind the wheel.

Jason Lazarus This is gonna take one more night at Bucket Rider Gallery. Jason has been consistently producing stronger work that mixes his conceptual wit with a engaging social examination. He and I are working on a interview for the blog that you'll see soon.

Craig Doty
Craig Doty 12x12 at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Craig also is a young photographer churning out great ideas for some time now. This new work features portraits of unsettling moments of frustration, awkwardness, and vulnerability.

Lastly at Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Robert Heinecken: Dream/Circles/Cycles. Surely Heinecken's vintage works from 64-73 will provide some exciting new finds and rare examples of his photographic attacks on media and visual literacy.

Food For Thought

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:41:00 +0000

Kenosha, WI 2006 (Jello)
I finally escape the cold this week and head down to Charlotte, NC for the opening of the group exhibition Food For Thought at the Light Factory. I'll also be giving a lecture on my work as part of the festivities (though I can't guarantee streamers or cake).

Food For Thought, is curated by Ariel Shanberg, Executive Director, the Center for Photography at Woodstock.

Across the globe, food defines cultures and communities. It comprises and fuels entire economies. Its presentation, delivery, and subsequent consumption can express or stimulate that which words cannot. Every cycle of life within every culture, is in some way marked or symbolized through food. Food For Thought brings together artists working in photography and video whose creations explore personal and cultural connections to food.

Food For Thought features artist photographers Sian Bonnell, Christine Chin, Stephanie Diamond, Lucas Foglia, Mary Magsamen and Stephan Hillerbrand, Mary Parisi, Susana Reismanand Brian Ulrich.

Opens March 6th from 6-9pm
My lecture is at 7:30pm

The Details:
March 6 - June 29, 2008
The Light Factory
Spirit Square, Suite 211
345 North College St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

I Can't Believe I'm Even Alive

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:37:00 +0000

How in the world could anyone stand for this fear mongering propaganda?
Full story here:

I Need Your Help

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:36:00 +0000

Last August I posted on proposed budget cuts to the Illinois State Arts Council. Arts funding has continued to dwindle in the United States for years now even though some of our superstarblockbusterfavorites were often only able to make their work through government support.
It is amazing that this is even an issue; art organizations, individual artists, museum exhibitions, etc... all get affected. Without grants the ability to survive as an arts organization or artist becomes dependent on commercial venues and profitability of art work. Your community of art depends upon venues, without support those venues will cease.

What you can do....
• Join the online petition here.
• If you live in Ohio or Texas vote ;)
• Demand that your states increase not decrease budget funding for the Arts.
• Spread the word.

Update: Ed Winkleman also takes up the cry for Arts Funding in relation to a certain democratic candidate from Illinois, and says it much more eloquently than me.

Dawoud Bey Lectures at Aperture Tues. Feb 19

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:04:00 +0000

Dawoud is one of my favorite people ever. For those who have been fortunate enough to spend some time in a class listening to him, they have left the room feeling empowered. What Dawoud understands about portraits is like what a physicist knows about sub-atomic particles.
Here's your chance to listen too. He'll be talking with his friend and artist, Carrie Mae Weems (who is also quite a speaker herself) in conjunction with his exhibition and book Class Pictures. Show up and bring questions.

Dawoud Bey
Conversation with the artist
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
6:30 p.m.
Aperture Gallery
547 West 27th Street, 4th floor
New York, New York
(212) 505-5555

What Larry Sultan Eats for Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:26:00 +0000

Wallpaper posts a short online interview with Larry Sultan.
More notable is selections of a considerable amount of new work.
Take a look.

Buy This Print (and others)

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:35:00 +0000

Detail of Marden Manufacturing Chair, Wright Commission, 2007, 20x26" c-print
Here in Chicago, the good folks who organize the annual Versionfest are having their annual auction tonight. With all the good goings and travels as of late I often miss all the local openings. This is another one that will be missed and too bad as there is bound to be a bounty of good art for sale and bargain to find. Check the names:

Cody Hudson, Judy Natal, Greg Stimac, Jason Lazarus, Michael T Rea, Mike Slattery, Seripop, Brian Ulrich, Paper Rad, Aron Gent, Sighn, Ryan Davies, Paul Nudd, Albert Stabler, Cayetano Ferrer, Jackie Kilmer, Rand Sevilla, Logan Bay, Ray Noland, Mike Genovese, Justin B Williams, Jeff Zimmerman, Alvaro Ilizarde, Jeremy Tubbs, Rivkah Young, Lukasz Wyszkowski, Marie Harten, JJ Stratford, Molly Delander, Tertou Uibopuu, Sarah Mckemie, Mimi Ruff, Brian Guido, Caitlin Arnold, Andrew McComb, Claudia Berns, Zack Abubeker, Philip Matesic, Nate Baker, Greg Gent, Anne Lass, Brian Sorg, Joseph Rynkiewicz, Victor Yanez-Lazcano, Michael DiGioia and others.

The info:

Friday, February 15, 2008, 7- 12 pm
THE VERSION SILENT AUCTION
Co-Prosperity Sphere
3219 S Morgan St
map
phone: 773.837.0145

A fundraiser for
VERSION>08 DARK MATTER
April 17-27, 2008

It Took 4 Days

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:08:00 +0000

For John White from Honolulu to identify the photograph of my mom posted here.
The photograph was taken in 1963 by Life Magazine photographer Arthur Schatz and is titled, Passengers from the Bremen ocean liner, waiting for cabs, it's still available on the Getty Images website.
It's difficult to find any information on Arthur Schatz, apparently he passed away in 2005. A small mention of him appears on the website for the Brooklyn College Vanguard Newspaper where Arthur also worked. Here.
A search on the Getty archives for Arthur brings up assorted pictures of celebrities; Rodney Dangerfield, a young Martha Stewart, Norman Mailer, Ed Sullivan, Dave Brubeck, Gladys Knight, Studs Terkel, politicians; Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockefeller, George Bush Sr., Cesar Chavez, Ronald Reagan, etc. as well as a self portrait while photographing an elephant.
I'd like to find more information on Arthur and know if an archive of his work exists. It seems that Arthur retained the copyright on his images but I wonder how that changes when he passed away. The Vanguard post on Arthur mentions Getty/Time/Life not being helpful at all with any information on Arthur, ... not promising. Stage 2 is finding more info on Arthur in hopes of getting a print. To Be Continued...

Walker, Amy and Career Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:47:00 +0000

It's been a long gray messy cold and snowy winter here (and maybe halfway). With that in mind, it's time to head out of town for exotic Minneapolis!
Actually North for the Winter is for good reason, the opening of a show I have work in called World's Away: New Suburban Landscapes at the Walker Art Center (yes one of my favoritest museums).
The opening is Friday and someone should make a video of people falling on the ice while trying to get to their cars after the opening (that would be me). The show already got a right up in Dwell magazine a month or so ago!

Details

Artists Include (woah check this list out!)
Chris Ballantyne,  Kim Beck,  Andrew Bush,  Center for Land Use Interpretation (CLUI),  Julia Christensen,  Coen+Partners,  Gregory Crewdson,  Adam Cvijanovic,  Benjamin Edwards,  Estudio Teddy Cruz FAT (Fashion Architecture Taste) , Chris Faust,  Floto+Warner,  Dan Graham I, NABA,  Interboro,  Lateral Architecture , John Lehr , LTL Architects,  Paho Mann,  Sarah McKenzie,  Laura E. Migliorino,  Matthew Moore,  Stefanie Nagorka , Catherine Opie , Edward Ruscha , SITE (Sculpture in the Environment),  Jessica Smith,  Greg Stimac,  Lee Stoetzel, Angela Strassheim,  Larry Sultan , Brian Ulrich,  Michael Vahrenwald

The opening is this Friday, February 15
from 9:00 pm to 12:00 am
Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403

If I was smarter I would have conspired a solo show in Los Angeles like good friend Amy Stein.
Amy is indeed a smarty pants and her pictures and relentless schedule say so. If I could be in two places at once....

Her details:
Opens Sat. February 16th
from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Paul Kopeikin Gallery
6150 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
(High of 73 degrees on Sat)

Finally word on the street is buddy Greg Stimac (also included in the Walker show) is making a change from photographs to acting. Note: the hat is acting, the Bud Light is not.

Who Took This Picture?

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:46:00 +0000

I often get asked about making candid photographs. Do the people know they're being photographed? Do they ever find out?
In fact I'm well aware that most of what photographers do seems downright weird to those who don't use a camera, (sometimes even to those of us who do).
When I was a youngster, there was a photograph my mother once showed me. The story goes, that she had just arrived by boat from Germany in New York and was waiting by the docks for my father to get car so they could load up this large trunk. This was probably about sometime in 1964. She remembered the day but recalled nothing else odd about it, my father rolled up, they loaded up their stuff and were on their way.
Some months later my grandmother wrote from Germany to tell my mother that she found a photograph of her in Life magazine. It was the image above. My mom had no idea. Her mom sent her a photocopy and that was about it.
Funny that some years later I find myself a photographer making candid pictures in a similar tradition. Projecting?... Maybe. But somehow this photograph stood in mind as a teen and I spent hours looking through old Life magazines for it in its original context to no avail. So dear readers perhaps you can help me. The style of photograph seems so familiar, I can almost put the photographers' style to the picture (Elliot Erwitt?!.... perhaps just wishful thinking).
If you can help identify the photographer, magazine issue or otherwise I'd be more than happy to repay the picture with a print.
Details: My mother on the left side of the image, she recalls the article being on immigration, approx. 1964

Tomorrow Apathy Could Die

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:30:00 +0000

Indeed. This may be one of the biggest voter turnouts for primary elections yet. Certainly a wonderful barometer of people's readiness and involvement in our future. Remember there are many more names on the ballots than 4. Take some time, read where the locals stand on issues and then hope for the best.
ps. paper is better than digital

The Git Strikes Again

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:43:00 +0000

(I totally remember this shirt from Grad School)
2 new projects from buddy Jon Gitelson.
Items of Clothing Secretly Hidden By My Girlfriend

and

Chicago El Stories. A public art project for the Chicago Transit Authority Armitage Brown Line el train Station.