Waltz Across Texas

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Stranded photos are always a challenge. Imagine your car has just died and you are sitting on the side of the road as trucks thunder past you only feet away. Your mind is racing with thoughts of how you are going to get off the highway and how much of your paycheck it's going to cost you to get your car running again. You are probably at a very low moment in your life. And then a car pulls up and a stranger asks if they can take your picture. That anyone ever says 'yes' amazes me. That most say 'yes' continues to blow my mind. Beyond the extreme tension inherent in the moment I am also working against the sheer improbability that someone will be broken down at the exact time and location that I happen to be passing in my car. I have made many trips and traveled many miles with this project and sometimes it doesn't bare photographic fruit.

Last Friday we took another road trip to hunt for stranded motorists and explore the vacant glory that is coastal Louisiana and East Texas. The trip covered over 1,200 miles and yielded only one stranded motorist and one roadside photo shoot. In the past this lack of output would have frustrated me to no end, but this trip was different. We decide to embrace the randomness and let our curiosity and the open road be our guide.

In Bayou Vista, LA, we stopped at the community center to visit the Barnes and Bailey circus (not Barnum & Bailey) and met Sam whose job it was to glue glitter to the hooves of the dancing horses.

In Huntsville, TX, we stopped at the “world’s largest statue of an American hero” -- a 67 foot concrete and steel effigy of Sam Houston. Huntsville is a gift that just keeps giving. We visited the Texas Prison Museum where I bought a wallet that was purported to have been made by a prisoner. On close inspection I found a Made in China sticker. Maybe they meant to say a Chinese prisoner made the wallet. From the museum we made the short drive to the Walls Unit of the Huntsville prison. The Walls Unit is the oldest prison in Texas and the location of the “Friendship” state’s death chamber where over 355 state-sponsored homicides have taken place since 1976.

Outside of Buffalo, TX, we pulled over to watch a giant strip mining operation and soon had new friends in the form of 80-year-old Morgan and his dachshund buddy, Snickers. Morgan seemed to be a little weary from the day -- or perhaps he was drunk. Whatever his condition he had a hard time keeping upright. “I fall down a lot,” he said.

Our journey then took us toward Waco along highway 164 to visit the Mt. Carmel compound of the Brand Davidian church. This was the site of the 1993 BATF and FBI siege on David Koresh and his followers that resulted in the deaths of 82 people. The chard foundation of the building still remains along with several militia-funded memorials that pay tribute to those that died and celebrate Koresh as a modern day Davey Crockett.

Just a short distance from Waco is Crawford, TX, and the site of another compound owned by a messianic leader hell bent on steering his followers toward a fiery downfall. I speak, of course, about George Bush and his western White House ranch. We drove out to the gate of the ranch, stole his newspaper, and then made a mad 200 mile dash back to Houston. The next morning we drove back to New Orleans.

All in all the trip was a healthy helping of American pie and, despite only finding one stranded motorist, I did find some inspiration for a new series. Tonight I will be driving back to Huntsville and will be shooting at the Walls Unit all weekend.

Interviewed on Identity Theory

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© Amy Stein 2006

Last week Alexandra Tursi interviewed me about my photography, my influences, and the Do You Know What It Means project. The interview is now posted on the Identity Theory site. Other recent Identity Theory interviewees include photographer, Abelardo Morrell, Sleater-Kinney guitarist, Carrie Brownstein, and Poet Laureate, Donald Hall, so I feel duly honored and humbled.

5 Things Meme Tag...I'm It

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Brian "Pegboy" Ulrich has called me out with a '5 things meme' blog chain letter challenge. Well, world, this is the unknown me:

Queen of Leisure: I was the youngest ever resident of the assisted living paradise that is Leisure World. They enforce a strict over-55 age policy, but I managed to skirt the law for a few months to take care of my father. While there I made extra cash working ham salad duty at Honey Baked Hams.

Hot Dog: I am card carrying member of the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) and had dreams of being the first woman to battle the mighty Kobayashi for the Coney Island hot dog crown. My gurgitator dreams were dashed with the sudden rise of the Black Widow, Sonya Thomas, and my own fears about the potential rise in my cholesterol level.

Camp Nerd: For three straight summers during the 80s I attended Champlain College Computer Camp. You can't get much more nerdy than a summer of canoeing, smores, and FORTRAN.

Just Say Whoa, Man: Selected as my high school's representative for a "Just Say No" conference at the White House with Nancy Reagan. Attended the event and met with Nancy and Ronnie while nursing a vicious hangover.

That's My Cookie: My husband is a Girl Scout! Seriously.

I'll tag: Shen Wei, Jen Bekman, Shane Lavalette, Lisa Hunter, and Amy Elkins

Photo of the Week: Sunbathers, Caleta Beach, Mexico

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© Amy Stein 2003

No Super Bowl for the Saints

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Just got back from watching the NFC Championship Game with a family in St. Bernard Parish. Sadly, the fated season of the New Orleans Saints has come to an end at the hands of some midwestern ursines. I’m not exactly a football fan, but being in this city at this time it’s easy to get caught up in the collective hope of tested people. I am buoyed by the mental image of a bunch of drunken Chica-graphers™ doing the Super Bowl Shuffle tonight.

I Love Photo L.A.

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Paul Kopeikin Gallery, Photo L.A. 2006

If you are a fan of photography and the warm kiss of Pacific sunshine you are probably packing the Amex card and the suntan lotion in preparation for this year's Photo L.A. While there, I urge you to stop by the Paul Kopeikin Gallery booth and check out all the quality photography he will be exhibiting, including my own Domesticated work.

Also on the 'must see' list is Jeongmee Yoon's work at Jenkins Johnson.

The details:

Photo L.A.
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
1855 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening Reception hosted by Graham Nash
to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation
Thursday, January 18th, 6 - 9pm

Public Fair Hours
Friday, January 19th , Noon - 7pm
Saturday, January 20th, Noon - 7pm
Sunday, January 21st, Noon - 6pm

New Orleans, I'll Be There

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Leaving tomorrow morning for a month in New Orleans to continue work on the Do You Know What It Means project. I think this will be the final push and then I can get back to being a full time photographer. While I am down there I am going to take a couple of long road trips through east Texas and Mississippi to continue work on the Stranded project.

I'll drink you under the table
be red nose go for walks
the old haunts what I wants
is red beans and rice
and wear the dress I like so well
and meet me at the old saloon
make sure there's a Dixie moon
New Orleans, I'll be there

-Tom Waits, I Wish I Was in New Orleans

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.

Photo of the Week: Elk Behind Fence, Zion National Park, UT

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© Amy Stein 2006

Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea

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We arrived back in chilly New York last night after seven days of blue sky perfection in Huntington Beach and the L.A. basin. When you experience multiple 70+ degree days and countless beach strolls in January your New York angst washes away and you start perusing California real estate listings.

The 3 x 5 opening at Paul Kopeikin was a great. Paul has a great space and the Domesticated work looked amazing on the walls. The opening was packed to the gills with L.A art scenesters, plus lots of old and new friends, family, and a few celebrity sightings. Thanks to everyone who made it out and to all my friends who spread the word over the Internets. The 3 x 5 show runs through February 3, so try to make it to over to Wilshire and see the work.

Tonight, I am going to try to make the Chelsea scene and catch the On the Wall: Aperture '05-'06 opening at the Aperture Gallery. See you there.

Going Back to Cali

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Watering Hole © Amy Stein 2005

Xin Nian Yu Kuai...Feliz Año Nuevo...Godt Nytår...Happy New Year!

I will be in Southern California January 4 through January 8 to spend time with my inlaws in Huntington Beach and attend the opening of a show I am in at the Paul Kopeikin Gallery. Here are the details on the show and opening reception:

3 x 5
Paul Kopeikin Gallery
January 6, 2007 - February 3, 2007
6150 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Opening Reception: Saturday, January 6, 2007 - 6:00 to 8:00 PM

If you are cruising down Wilshire on January 6, please stop by the opening and say hi.

While in SoCal I hope to make the museum and gallery scene and see some top notch photography. Definitely going to catch the Todd Hido show at the Rose Gallery and the Where We Live exhibition at The Getty. If you know of any other 'can't miss' openings, shows, or concerts going on in LA or the OC, drop me a note.

Photo of the Week: Hunter, Wheeling, WV

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© Amy Stein 2006

Children of Men

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Saw the new Alfonso Cuaron movie, Children of Men, last night. What an amazing film. Cuaron and cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, have created a visually stunning and politically charged film that moves forward with a fevered energy. Think Brazil meets 28 Days Later meets Regarding the Pain of Others broadcast live on CNN sometime in the near future. Go see this film.

Photo of the Week: Woman with M16, Las Vegas, NV

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© Amy Stein 2005

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.

Sophia Peer Reviewed in the New York Times

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You know you are a hotshot artist when you are included in the paper of record. Fellow SVA MFA alum, Sophia Peer, got a very favorable write-up of her video piece, Everyday, in the New York Times review of the Queens International 2006. Congratulations, Sophia!

Where this exhibition can feel more provincial than shows like P.S. 1’s “Greater New York” or the Whitney Biennial is in its attempt to balance the interests of the art crowd while staying “close to the heart of many local residents,” according to its brochure. Sometimes these concerns dovetail nicely, as in Sophia Peer’s quick-cut video “Everyday.” She captures her aging parents moving around their cramped home in Queens like latter-day, empty-nest Bunkers burrowed in a row house amid a social landscape turned virtually unrecognizable.

Also in the exhibition and worth checking out is Rebecca Roberton's Queens Vernacular series. Rebecca is another kickass MFA grad from the School of Visual Arts.

Wooster on Spring

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Judith Supine & Rekal

Today is the first day to view the Wooster Collective's inspired Wooster on Spring project. If you don't know what all the hubbub is about, read up on how the project came together, and then get your arse to the corner of Elizabeth and Spring and take in the 30,000 square feet of art before it's walled up and renovation begins on the building. If you can't make it to Soho during the next three days, all hope is not lost. According to the Wooster Collective you may get another chance to view the work in the year 2206.

As many of you know, there's a tradition in construction to leave a newspaper in a wall during the construction process to create a sort of time capsule. Most people who have renovated a home or building have great stories about finding things from decades, or even centuries before, in the walls of their buildings.

So after the Wooster on Spring exhibition, all of the interior walls of 11 Spring will be covered during the construction process. 11 Spring will become one of the most fascinating art time capsules in history. We love the fact that two hundred years from now, a brick might fall out to reveal an original piece created by Lady Pink, Shepard, Swoon and 35 other incredible artists.

Pretty in Pink

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I have never been a pink girl. Growing up I didn't own a My Little Pony, I never wanted a Hello Kitty backpack, and I may have even rooted against Molly Ringwald finding love with Andrew McCarthy. This is not to say I am a tomboy -- I still enjoy girlie things and I believe my autopsy one day will show I was made of mostly sugar and spice -- I just wasn't wrapped in a pink blanket when I was born. As a photographer I am drawn to any discussion of the cultural significance and deeper meanings of color, so imagine my delight when I came across these two passages that reveal the capriciousness of our pink/blue gender tradition:

"If you like the color note on the little one's garments, use pink for the boy and blue for the girl, if you are a follower of convention." [The Sunday Sentinal, March 29, 1914.]

"There has been a great diversity of opinion on the subject, but the generally accepted rule is pink for the boy and blue for the girl. The reason is that pink being a more decided and stronger color is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is pertier for the girl." [Ladies Home Journal, June, 1918]

When I read this I immediately thought of Jeongmee Yoon's wonderful photo series, The Pink Project...

© Jeongmee Yoon 2005

...and the video piece Charlie White did for Adidas, Pink.

Photo of the Week: Pool, Bear Mountain, NY

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© Amy Stein 2005

Interviewed by The Intrepid Art Collector

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The wonderful Lisa Hunter interviewed me for her Intrepid Art Collector site. Lisa is one of the leading authorities on the contemporary art market and the author of a great new book, but what I find most impressive is that she managed to escape from New York and transplant herself to the Great White North. There is something very inspiring about that.