Category: museums

       

I’ve been intending to keep my promise and post something “fatter” since the last post in June, but here it is August. I’ve been busy but not in the way I planned. About six weeks ago I found out that Blurb was hosting a book contest to be judged by Darius Himes, the owner/editor of the new publishing house, Radius Books. Not having any plans to make a book just yet, I still managed to pull together a cohesive 80 page book of 95% new work. I was impressed when I saw a finished copy. I must thank Betsy Dollar for her incredible editing and sequencing work.

Since moving to St. Paul, I’ve been doing a lot of street photography, including buildings, alleys, and people. Often, I shoot for design with people as elements. It seems as if there is a street dance always in progress. Sometimes it is a slow dance, sometimes fast. Occasionally, there is even a break, but it is just between dances. Beyond that, I’m working on portraits and on my cafe series.

Sad News: MCP (Minnesota Center for Photography) has closed as of July 31. There were budgetary problems that seemed insurmountable to the board of directors. I sincerely hope that George Slade, the center’s creative director, continues to make his presence known.

I was fortunate to see the Friedlander show at MIA a couple weeks ago. It was inspiring and permission giving. Lee is certainly an icon in the history of photography. Hmm, MIA, no permanent photo curator, George Slade…?

Anyone interested in previewing or purchasing a copy of the new book, Culturescape I: City Clicks, may do so here.

It’s been raining for two days, just enough rain to feel like a blanket wrapping you in softness and security.  Two days ago, I drove 4 hours to Des Moines to photograph Senator Clinton addressing the Sisters on Target banquet.  I wanted to get close and actually interact with Hillary, but the wall created by her blanket of security, the secret service and personal staff determined when and how I would shoot.  I was happy enough with what I brought home and sent off to Sipa.

I have a new show coming up in February at a wonderful gallery, Nuance, in Beresford, SD.  I’ll be sharing the show with a sculptor friend of mine, Mary Selvig.

I am in a period of photographic and professional growth, having met with Mary Virginia Swanson for two hours last week, followed by a portfolio review with George Slade, director of the Minnesota Center for Photography.  So, I am in the middle of revising my website and my portfolios.  It is giving me new perspective on editing for stories, print sales, portfolios, and books.  There is much to think about and consider.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art has an exhibition of paintings, including work from 16th century Italy. Those works are some of my favorite because of the spectacular quality of light achieved by the artists. It appears that there is an external spotlight, but since there is not, it appears as if the paint itself is emanating light.

The reason I like this, besides its aesthetic quality, is that it is one of the major objectives of photography. Photography is often defined as “painting with light,” but one of the techniques, chiaroscuro, meaning bright and dark, was actually developed by painters, not photographers. Or were they? If photography is painting with light, and these early Italian painters used material in their paint which actually creates light, maybe they were actually photographers.

All wild speculation aside, this should be a great show.