Collecting Photography Panel at the Affordable Art Fair

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This Thursday I will be participating in a panel discussion on collecting photography at the Affordable Art Fair. The moderator will be Michael Foley and joining me on the panel are Miss Jen Bekman and Michelle Dunn Marsh from Aperture.

Here are the details:

In Focus: Collecting Photography
Thursday, June 12, 7pm
The Affordable Art Fair
The Altman Building / The Metropolitan Pavilion
135 W 18th Street

Hope to see you there.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

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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.

Don't Call It a Comeback

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Love Kills, 1979 © Jill Freedman

The New York Times has a great profile on Jill Freedman. Jill made a name for herself in the 70s and 80s with her gritty black and white images of a city in serious decline. She is now enjoying a bit of a renaissance with a show at Higher Pictures.

It's great to see an artist get her due after so many years, but it's disheartening to know you can have the goods and still fall off the art world map. The sad truth is Jill's story is probably more common than the stories of artists who enjoy a consistent and sustained success throughout their career. Too often I focus on career lessons learned from those who have made it, but the wisdom of those that struggle is just as valuable. "You have to be good at hustling," Jill says.

And so I hustle...

Best Schwag Ever

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A couple of days ago I received an email from a public relations firm inviting me to a product preview party for Nikon at Buddha Bar in the Meatpacking District. Clearly, these folks recognized me as the influential connector and cultural king-maker that I am and wanted some of that magic to grace their flashy, super cool PR spectacular. As I've stated before, I am the opposite of cool. And, I don't mean that in an ironic way that might suggest I am cool. I am literally not cool. So, it was with great trepidation and a supreme curiosity that I decided to RSVP and attend the event Wednesday night.

We felt it critical to begin the evening with a relaxing dinner and a few glasses of wine to settle the nerves before we headed to the Meatpacking District to rub shoulders with the models and i-bankers. Every time I go to that part of town I feel so out of place that I am overcome by an irrational fear that style snipers will spot me and fire a couple of warning rounds at my feet to drive me back into the West Village. Properly juiced, the stroll through the Meatpacking District proved carefree.

Once at Buddha Bar we were greeted by a yellow carpet, super bright something-fabulous-is-going-on-here exterior lighting and an endless succession of people with clipboards and walkie-talkies asking for our names to check against their master list. There were so many clipboard checkpoints it felt like we were trying to get into the Green Zone. In the end the wait was worth it. We made it through the final velvet rope and were lead to a fantastical land where the bar was top shelf and open and the sushi flowed freely. The evening was all about the product, so friendly Nikon reps were there to showcase their line of new digital cameras. Oh, and I was given a free CoolPix camera on a silver plater. Not bad. I quickly warmed to the idea that I really did belong in a place like this.

So, let it be known to all PR people, Amy Stein has embraced her inner shill and is now ready to bring her brand of cool to your corporate event. Of course, I will be preparing a proper rider to make the process of satisfying my needs a little easier. (Kabbalah water, purple Skittles and a carton of Lucky Strikes--you know, standard issue stuff.) If you are interested just have your people contact my people.

About Last Night

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© Simon Norfolk

Last night was Rachael Dunville's big opening at Peer Gallery and the joint was packed with her friends and family from Missouri, supportive SVA alums, admirers, and the endless throngs of art school hipsters, matrons and patrons, and Blackberry cowboys that come out on a typical Chelsea Thursday. Rachael's work looked great and she was deservedly beaming in the moment.

After an hour or two we sneaked away from the crowd and went to grab a quick bite. As is the restaurant custom in New York we were seated within inches of diners on our left and right at a table that was too small to hold the breadbasket, the saltshaker, and the ubiquitous Ikea votive. On many nights this type of seating situation can make for an awkward dining experience, but some nights you get lucky and your fellow diners are generous enough to provide a little reality programming to go with your entree.

Last night a lovely lesbian couple decided to “lay it on the line” for us in an earnest succession of overwrought monologues that ultimately amounted to nothing more than admission of mild interest in each other. As the wine flowed so did the eye-gazing and grand statements of ‘like’ each time punctuated by a “you’re so hot” or a “I find you so sexy” and an across the table make out session. Bravo, ladies, bravo.

After dinner we caught a cab to Rachael’s after-party at Mathew and Nate’s too fabulous pad in Greenwich Village. Upon arrival I was immediately blown away by the amazing photography collection on their walls and the quality of cheeses on their serving dishes. I had too many wonderful conversations and met too many wonderful people to list them all, but highlights included meeting John Bennette and Simon Norfolk. Never have I been to a party in this city where the crowd was universally interesting and douchebag free.

All in all, it was a great evening and perfect celebration of Rachael's success.

Party Like a Rockstar

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© Melissa Auf Der Maur

If there is one thing I don't do, it's party like a rockstar. On certain nights I let go and may approach something akin to the party habits of a folkstar or a polkastar, but usually my only incursion into rock bacchanalia involves sitting on my couch watching Rock of Love on VH1.

This weekend, however, is all about the rock and or roll music.

Tonight I am going to see one of my favorites, Bill Callahan (former Smog), perform at the Highline Ballroom and I couldn't be more excited. So brooding and that voice! He also scores points for having perhaps the single greatest album cover in the history of rock music.

Saturday I have been invited to American Photo Magazine's Visions of Rock party at 401 Projects. The exhibit compliments a recent issue of the magazine that features the photography of rock musicians. Normally, photography by people who are famous for something other than photography would make me groan, but some of this work is actually pretty good. My biggest fear is going to this event and being exposed as someone who clearly does not have the cool credentials to be in the same room with Lou Reed and Michael Stipe.

One final rock note. If you are in or near Louisville, Kentucky, this Saturday I strongly suggest you make it over to the Rudyard Kipling to listen to Andy Guthrie throw down his sultry and seductive musical stylings. Andy is my cousin and an absolutely amazing talent. His live shows are the stuff of legend and not to be missed.

Making the Scene

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© Kohei Yoshiyuki

Summer doesn't officially end until September 21, but all the popular markers that spell the true end of the season are upon us. The kids are back in school, something resembling a breeze has returned to the New York City night, and Chelsea gallerists have come home from the Hamptons and opened their shops for business.

Like any good fan of art, gratuitous schmoozing, and free wine I will be making the scene this Thursday to catch all the big gallery openings. There are a number of shows on my must-see list, but the Kohei Yoshiyuki show at Yossi Milo really has me jazzed. I have a feeling it's going to be a mob scene at Yossi. Also on the Thursday Chelsea walking tour is Mark Morrisroe at ClampArt and (finally) catching the Easy Rider group show at Yancey Richardson.

If you have any other must-see suggestions--photography or otherwise--please give me a shout.

I Love This City, I Hate This City

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If you live or work in New York City, then you know how much fun this morning has been. Severe rains have flooded the subway system and crippled the city. I am currently assisting a class at the ICP, but it looks like I won't be able to make it in. I also have about 5000 other things I need to do in the city before I leave for my Stranded trip this Friday and now I am pretty much stuck at home in Jackson Heights. All this and it's hotter than Satan's crotch after a racquetball tournament.

Fun. Fun. Fun. That's the hate part.

The love part--and I have to constantly remind myself of this--is all about the wonderful access to art, music, food, and people you can find no place else in the world. Speaking of art, you only have two days left to see the Road Trip show at Mixed Greens. The show has been a wild success in every sense.

Also on the good stuff list, limited edition prints from Humble Arts Foundation, including Peri, Route 80, Kentucky, currently on display at Mixed Greens. There are only ten prints available and you can pick one up for a real steal. Plus, you are supporting Humble Arts Foundation. Wins all around.

UPDATE: R.C. Baker of the Village Voice recommends the Mixed Greens show and gives a shout out to the Stranded photos.

Sign the Petition Already!

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© Bruce Davidson

Hey New Yorkers and fans of civil liberties. You know the situation, so sign the petition already.

The Art of the Nonresponse Response

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© William Klein

Today the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting (MOFTB) issued a statement in an attempt to clarify their proposed new rules governing street photography and filming in New York City. The MOFTBs nonresponse response was no doubt prompted by the flurry of negative blog activity after a New York Times story brought to light the new requirements under consideration.

The MOFTB release merely restates the proposed new rules and attempts to reassure us that the occurrence of two people taking pictures in a single location for more than 30 minutes is "RARE for recreational photographers." (Clearly these folks have never spent any time at Rockefeller Center, Grand Central or the Statue of Liberty.) Beyond not addressing the general absurdity of the proposed new rules, the MOFTB also fails to address any of the concerns regarding selective or discriminatory enforcement.

They do mention that they anticipate "publishing the final rules at the end of July 2007," so there is still time to kill this silliness before it becomes the real deal. Keep up the pressure on Commissioner Katherine Oliver or as Mr. Colberg suggests, take it straight to the mayor.

UPDATE: On Christian Patterson's Speak, See, Remember blog, Adam Bell has provided some insider info for reaching out to reps on this issue:

I just talked to a friend from the Mayors office, here is what she said regarding a letter to Katherine Oliver:

“Unfortunately, the Commissioner probably supports the proposal, so your letter may fall on deaf ears. You could also try your local council member, but your best bet is probably the Cultural Affairs Committee. The Chair is Recchia, and other members are Comrie, Dickens, Garodnick, Gentile, Gioia, Vacca, Weprin, White … all council members email addresses are lastname@council.nyc.ny.us”

So people can also try various member of the cultural affairs committee:

recchia@council.nyc.ny.us, comrie@council.nyc.ny.us, gioia@council.nyc.ny.us, vacca@council.nyc.ny.us, weprin@council.nyc.ny.us, white@council.nyc.ny.us

Here is their webpage:

City May Seek Permit and Insurance for Public Photography

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© Helen Levitt

What in the hell are they thinking? From the New York Times:

Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance before taking pictures or filming on city property, including sidewalks.

New rules being considered by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance.

The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.

Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers.

Nevertheless, the New York Civil Liberties Union says the proposed rules, as strictly interpreted, could have that effect. The group also warns that the rules set the stage for selective and perhaps discriminatory enforcement by police.

New York City cops being selective and discriminatory? That would never happen. I suggest sending a strongly worded message to Katherine Oliver, the Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting, telling her you think this is an asinine idea.

Meet Me at the Fair

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In case you haven't heard there is a perfect art storm happening in New York this weekend. Pulse, Scope, The Armory Show, LA/Art, ADAA, DiVA...if you love crowds, temporary walls, and booths chock full of marginal art, then rush on down to one of the too many art fairs going on right now in NYC. A quick rundown of the weekend so far:

LA/Art -- Highlights included the Marcel Dzama pieces at Richard Heller and Rachael Papo's print at Paul Kopeikin's booth.

Pulse -- Standout photos by Brian Ulrich, Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao, and Didier Massard at the Julie Saul booth. I am not a big fan of Massard's fantasy landscapes -- they remind me of Yes album covers -- but I loved the Rhino.

Gurnee, IL © Brian Ulrich 2003

Dinner with Peeps -- Friday night our posse had velocity. We met up with Bill Sullivan, Shen Wei, Amy Elkins, Brian Ulrich, Paddy Johnson, and Kevin Faulkner for some tasty food and some quality post Pulse conversation.

The Armory Show -- One hour lines to pay $20 to see "SHIT" in neon? Oh yeah! Contemporary photography not represented well in the big show, EXCEPT Pieter Hugo's work at the Michael Stevenson booth. I think we are going to make the big leap and buy one of his beautiful prints.

UPDATE: We just bought this Hugo print! Woohoo!!

Morris Toe, Monrovia, Liberia © Pieter Hugo 2006

I'm Going Back to New York City...

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After a month straight in New Orleans and three plus months working on the Do You Know What It Means Project, I have finally come home to New York. I met so many wonderful people in the Big Easy who are trying hard to put the pieces of their lives back together, but there is still so much work to be done. Here's one thing you can do right now. The FEMA deadline for housing assistance is expiring on February 28. Please take action and tell your rep to extend the deadline.

I will write more about my time in New Orleans later, but will leave you with some photos from the Shangri-la Coronation Ball I attended this past Saturday. The ball is put on each year by the The Mystic Krewe of Shangri-La to eat, drink, and name their royal court for Mardi Gras. New Orleans is like no other place on earth.

The Captain © Amy Stein 2007

The King © Amy Stein 2007

The Queen © Amy Stein 2007

Photo Show Madness

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© Brian Ulrich 2003

So many good photography shows going on in Chelsea right now. Finally caught Brian Ulrich's work at Julie Saul. Wonderful stuff and I overheard gallery folks saying the prints were flying off the shelves like so many patriotic chairs. Brian has had so much praise heaped his way of late he doesn't need me to tell him how amazing the work is, but I will say it anyways. Brian, the work is amazing.

Also worth seeing are shows by SVA faculty member, Andrew Moore, at Yancy Richardson and SVA alum, Suellen Parker, at Daniel Cooney, as well as Adam Bartos at Yossi Milo.

Busy as a Bee

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Leaving New Orleans this Thursday and heading back to New York for a short holiday stint living my real life as a photographer, wife, friend, cat owner... Friday I hit the NY pavement and scramble to get my prints ready for the 3 x 5 show at Paul Kopeikin Gallery. Saturday we are traveling to Washington, DC, for a Danish Jul celebration with friends. Grod and glogg for everyone! While we are in DC we are going to finally see my work in the No Fancy Titles show at Randall Scott Gallery. We get back to New York on Tuesday and have a small window to relax, make fun of tourists, and celebrate the new year before we leave for SoCal to visit the inlaws and attend the opening of the 3 x 5 show. Sadly, my travel schedule is forcing me to miss the opening of Brian Ulrich's Copia show at Julie Saul, but you shouldn't. Go see this show!

I hope the holidays (and every day) find you peaceful, creative, and among friends and loved ones.

A Very New York Saturday

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Most days in New York are uniquely New York. It's a rush and a bump, an odd random smell, and then sweet relief when you finish your work and finally get to go home. There are other days in New York that are equally, uniquely New York. The sun shines, your obligations are few, and you are able to take leisurely allowance of the wealth of exceptional opportunities that are individually New York. Saturday was just such a day.

After a wine indulgent Friday night we rolled out of bed and caught the F train to the 6 train and headed to the galleries on the Upper East Side. First we went to Gitterman Gallery to see the exhibit of Charles Traub's vintage black and white photographs from the 1970s. Charlie is an amazing photographer who is enjoying a small renaissance of popularity with concurrent New York shows at Gitterman and Daniel Cooney Fine Art. The photos at Gitterman are the very best example of what street photography should be: voyeuristic, immediate, and uncomfortably intimate.

© Charles Traub

We then made are way up the street to Skarstedt Fine Art to see Gregory Crewdson's Fireflies exhibit. The Crewdson photos were taken in 1996 and share the same mystical and mysterious qualities as his large scale cinematic explorations of spaceship suburbia, but with Fireflies there is a romance and humanism that is missing from his later work. Do yourself a favor and see these photos.

Later in the evening we traveled down to Tribeca for Charles Traub's holiday party. The evenings festivities were organized around a toy drive for the Delmont Service Center in Baton Rouge and the The Good Shepherd School in New Orleans. Good people, good booze, and a good cause. How can you go wrong?

The party ended and we made our way to the subway for the long journey back to Jackson Heights for some late night street tacos. It was truly a great day in the greatest city on earth.