The details are details. They make the product. The connections, the connections, the connections. It will, in the end, be these details that give the product its life. Charles Eames Today's session was largely a debrief on Bill's experience having a booth at Photo Independent (PI). As most of you know PI was a stand-alone event since Paris Photo decided to cancel its event this year. Generally they are right across the street from one another. Below are some key take aways... independent photography shows (like PI) draw photographers gallery photography shows (like Paris Photo) draw clients/collectors non-photographers / lookers tend to want to look FAST and go on not like museums where expectations are to stop-look-think Branding is important “art of city wall” vs “Bill WIshner / Visual Hunter” pricing on pictures vs pricelist / gallery = pricelist v art show = price on pictures need to know price point of audience purchase at art shows people want little things they can walk away with need rapid check out procedure eg square must be able to take credit cards my pictures… not traditional subject even for walls had to explain dibond mounting primary feeling is that they were Photoshop’d into final image events of show pre-press and advertising for event important lectures off stage draw crowds away during main times of day Following this we briefly discussed two essays by Teju Cole...educator and writer for NYT All too Perfect Picture / Teju Cole http://nyti.ms/230ZVvs An essay exploring the work of Steve McCurry in his India series vs the Indian photographer named Singh (last name)...the reality of Singh's work vs the fantasy of McCurry's The Digital Afterlife of Lost Family Photos / Teju Cole http://nyti.ms/1NOO5fe An essay exploring lost family pictures that when found are "published" on line with the intent of identifying those in the pictures and the ethical issues involved. Cole contrasts this with his own experience of finding old pictures but being unwilling to expose those pictured to an unwanted and unwitting exposure. Paul provided his expertise in discussing the longevity of pictures considering the new inks and papers. The current level of longevity as espoused by Wilhelm is below Rene showed an iPhone picture taken while flying home recently...and showed some pictures from Diane Arbus published in the current New Yorker. And so concluded our f8 session today
0 Comments
The composition is the organized sum of the interior functions of every part of the work. Wassily Kandinsky We were happy to host a great artist / painter, John Brosio at f8 today. John lead a discussion of his own work and elements of composition that drive his painting aesthetics as well as underlining the importance of composition in our photography. He started his discussion contrasting a Vermeer painting (on left) with a post modern abstract (on right) pointing out the similar compositional structure in seemingly dissimilar pictures from different genres and ages. He referenced Edgar Payne's "Composition of Outdoor Painting" as a great source of compositional reference. Using his own work as examples, he described the compositional ideas of receding planes in his paintings. As photographers we noted the concept of a foreground, mid ground and background as a vital part of our photography in nature. In addition, we discussed the idea of having a "punctum" (a barb..a la Roland Barthe in Camera Lucida)...noting each of his pictures with a visible punctum. We also discussion with John his ironic composition style of placing a terror (eg storm, earthquake or monster_ in juxtaposition with seemingly unconcerned people. Some of us saw this as a visual metaphor for our current political terror and the relatively unconcerned public seemingly helpless in its wake. We finally chatted about putting in our shots and his pictures only those elements that add to the composition of the image.
The discussion had to be cut short by the lateness of our time at Jones. John got besides our thanks for being at f8 our coveted "f8 Pasadena" cap. Thank you Charley for bringing John to our meeting. Check out his website: www.johnbrosio.com I like anything with my face on it, just from an aesthetic point of view. Martin Freeman f8 Pasadena was again hosted by the Girdner Gallery and Minh Thai this past Saturday. Joining us was Frank Tammariello whose exhibit at the Gallery is ending tomorrow. Frank led a discussion that outlined his career in art and photography and touched on many themes we at f8 have discussed in the past. He stepped us through the development of his photographic aesthetic by pointing to three seminal projects. The first project Frank talked about were video stills with small plastic figures in front of the picture. (see above) His comments about this project and photography, in general, spoke of the power of fine art as tactile vs the power of the narrative associated with the image. Frank then showed and talked about a series he shot while he was teaching acting. The series was portraits of his students with a word superimposed. This powerful series was shown as a slide show with music from RadioHead in the background. Unlike the video series, these pictures are sharply in focus. "People viewing art/photography are hungry to have something in focus." His newest series "No Man is an Island" is just finishing at the Girdner Gallery in Pasadena. This series was shot in Venice where winter sand dunes formed the stage for the people he shot. Here the narrative and the mystery of each shot is determined by the viewer. Below is his artist statement for this show, Finally, he discussed and showed a PSA (Public Service Announcement he created for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.
Check out his website: www.franktammariello.com The discussion was lively and engaging with our f8 group. Thank you Frank for visiting with us from the great city of Venice...California, that is! Finally, the Girdner Gallery announced its next exhibit and reception...see below |
|