Ain't No Party Like A Collector Party

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Flood Dream, Ocean City, New Jersey © Arthur Tress

It's Tuesday night and I am still recovering from Joe Baio and Anne Griffin's post AIPAD party last Saturday. Every year Joe and Anne hang a year's worth of the photography they've collected and throw a big party for photographers, gallerists, collectors and friends. The party is a who's who of the photo world and it's always a good time because Joe and Anne are a good time. And their collection is truly jaw-dropping in its breadth and quality. Thanks Joe and Anne! I hope I get invited back next year.

Helen Levitt RIP

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© Helen Levitt

Helen Levitt's contribution to photography can not be understated. Her photos revealed the restless poetry in the streets of New York and transformed the way we talk about the urban experience. As photographers and New Yorkers we owe her much.

But The Good News Is...

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Shen Wei's book Almost Naked

The finance industry has effectively captured our government.

But the good new is...

Shen Wei has created a beautiful limited edition photo book and will have a show at the new Brooklyn-based Randall Scott Gallery in April.

Ian Aleksander Adams is live blogging from the SPE conference in Dallas this week.

Women in Photography along with Lightside Graphics is offering a fat grant. Look here for the application on April 1.

Submissions are now open for the NY Photo Awards. It may be pay to play, but if you win it’s great exposure. Believe me.

PCNW is holding it’s 14th Annual Photographic Competition Exhibition. I had some pieces in this show a few years back and had a great experience. The multi-talented Jen Bekman is the juror this year so get your submissions in now.

Nymphoto is looking for the best in female contemporary and emerging photography. Work will be curated by the core members of the collective in conjunction with highly respected curator and gallery owner Sasha Wolf. Works selected will be included in "Nymphoto Presents at Sasha Wolf Gallery" and be on view from May 23 to June 6, 2009. Get the details and submit work here.

Little Red Riding Hood Told Through Infographics

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Wonderful spin on a classic fairy tale from Tomas Nilsson.



Via Flowing Data.

Social Capital Death Watch

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The only people who seem to be prospering in this recession are those that traffic in grim statistics. Yesterday the President of Americans for the Arts, Robert Lynch, said that 10,000 arts organizations will close this year. If Lynch is correct and "non-profit arts organizations generate $166.2 billion each year in cultural and related spending such as restaurants and parking, and they produce $30 billion in tax revenue and 5.7 million jobs," why do they always seem to get short shrift during budget debates? Is it a PR problem as Lynch contends or is Allison Fine on to something when she says there are fundamental problems with the arts organization business model?

Extreme Sheep Art

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Via Jeff Weiss and Neuron Culture.

New Obama Stimulus Logo Not That Stimulating

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The Obama administration just unveiled it's new logo for the stimulus plan and, frankly, I find it a little uninspiring. Stars, factory gears, and a plant are not exactly the symbols of a forward looking economic recovery strategy. Where are the wind turbine blades, the solar panels or the ocean waves that are supposed to be the centerpieces of a green economy revolution? Where are the gradient fills and bright colors of the Obama campaign logo that suggested renewed energy, new ideas, and, dare I say it again, hope? Even the name Recovery.org is bad. It makes it sound like a we are looking for a Boy Scout troop that wandered away from camp and got lost in the woods. Wouldn't something like Renew.org be more in line with the Obama vision and mystique?

Image Maker Lecture Series at Soho Apple Store

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© Andrew Hetherington

Wednesday I will be taking the stage with the talented and ubiquitous Andrew Hetherington to talk about blogs and photography and photography blogs. The lecture is part of the Advertising Photographers Association's Apple Image Maker series at the Soho Apple Theatre. It should be a lively and informative lecture and, most importantly, we are meeting for drinks after the event. You can get the details here.

The Face of Shakespeare

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AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis

Experts say they have discovered the only portrait of Shakespeare painted during his lifetime. The new portrait is certainly more flattering than the classic Bard portrait I'm familiar with.

Domesticated at the Armory Show

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The blog is going to be a little light this week because my dance card is fully punched.

This weekend is all about the art fairs in New York. If you are in town, please stop the Robert Koch Gallery booth at the Armory Show Modern to see work from my Domesticated series.

Also, if you are in Richmond this Wednesday I will be giving public lecture at Virginia Commonwealth University and then meeting with VCUarts students on Thursday.

Jen Davis

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Untitled No. 11. 2005 © Jen Davis

The wonderfully talented Jen Davis has finally launched her portfolio website. Do yourself a favor and take a look at her new Men work. You can definitely sense a strong female gaze in the images.