From This Moment: December 2007

12.27.2007

Tomoyuki Sakaguchi

Aperture Prize runner - up Tomoyuki Sakaguchi has some interesting work.

07 . 12 . 28 . From the series Home
© Tomoyuki Sakaguchi

07 . 11 . 04 . From the series Home
© Tomoyuki Sakaguchi

07 . 10 . 29 . From the series Home
© Tomoyuki Sakaguchi

07 . 09 . 17 . From the series Home
© Tomoyuki Sakaguchi

Marcello Mariana

Yikes, the work of Marcello Mariana is great! Thanks Hippolyte Bayard.

12.23.2007

Untitled . 2006
© Justin James Reed

12.21.2007

Untitled . 2006
© Justin James Reed

12.16.2007

Andy over at Flak Photo kindly passed along this photo competition for me to share here. 36 Exposures looks like an interesting idea, especially in light of the recent discontinuation of many of Kodak's 35mm single rolls. Deadline for written submissions is January 6.

12.14.2007

Stop The Shopocalypse

My gift to you. Worth seeing for the opening sequence alone.

Thank you Abbey.

12.11.2007

Music From This Moment

Grant Ernhart

Grant Ernhart's work is a nice mix of interiors and landscapes. His compositions are interesting, challenging, and as a fellow relocated Minnesotan I definitely appreciate the reoccurring themes of snow and indoor foliage. Thanks Grant for passing along the link!

From the series I Trust You'll Take Care
© Grant Ernhart

From the series I Trust You'll Take Care
© Grant Ernhart

(Conscientious also featured work from Grant's other series Alone at Sea a little while back.)

12.09.2007

Carey Young

I had the opportunity to see the work of Carey Young at Paula Cooper this past week. Her photographs "set in the vast building sites of Dubai and Sharjah’s futuristic corporate landscape," are fantastic.

"Body Techniques (after Sculpture II, Kristen Justesen, 1969)" . 2007
© Carey Young

The relationship between artist (as body) and this newly developing landscape is thoughtful and unique. By placing herself in these environments the relationship between "oursleves" and the development becomes even more removed and disjointed. One cannot help but be confused and a bit overwhelmed by it all.

"Body Techniques (after A Line in Ireland, Richard Long, 1974)" . 2007
© Carey Young

However Young creates this tension in the most subtle of ways. Her photographs are quiet, not over the top, and this is where their strength lies. This understated conflict is at once as sublime as it is apocalyptic.

The show is also accompanied by an incredible video piece, Product Recall, in which the artist tries to remember which advertising slogan belongs to which global company. Under the guise of patient (laying down on a couch and all), a "therapist" recites each slogan as Young struggles to match brand name with brand identity. Here Young, again, shows her subtle working method, and demands the reexamination of our cultural artifacts.

12.08.2007

Untitled . 2007
© Justin James Reed

12.04.2007

He's Just A Man

My vote is in.

12.03.2007

Shows

Can't wait to see this show:

"Alhaji Hassan with Ajasco, Ogere-Remo, Nigeria 2007" . From the series The Hyena & Other Men
© Pieter Hugo

And this show...

FALL ON ME
by Troy Williams

SPAZIO 522 GALLERY
526 WEST 26TH ST No. 522
NEW YORK, NY 10001

NOVEMBER 30 - JANUARY 12, 2008
WEDNESDAY to SATURDAY 10-5

My Photo - Blog - O - Sphere

About a month and a half ago I posted about some of the more recent changes in the photo - blog - o - sphere, as I saw them. At that time I was questioning where we were "in all of this." I decided to take a break, and during my pseudo - hiatus (I could not seem to stay completely away), I came to the conclusion that this question was more self - referential then I at first realized. The photo - blog - o - sphere was just chugging along, moving and changing as most things do, and it was I who was feeling static. Posting was starting to seem like a chore, and I was finding myself feeling less and less focused.

During my break it became clear that I needed to start concentrating on the things that made me so excited about photography in the first place, and were in part the impetus for starting this blog. I began shooting more, and took time to appreciate individual moments. I stopped checking my email everyday, turned my cell phone off, and quit a job that was consuming all of my time. All of this afforded me some space to really think.

One of the first things I realized is that this blog has become one of the most important tools in my photographic life. The people and connections that I have made through it's short life are invaluable. It is, in part, responsible for a number of opportunities I have had for showing my work, and directly responsible for one of the two courses I will be teaching in the Spring. On top of that, reading about and discovering the work, thoughts, and interesting tidbits that are shared amongst this community have become part of my daily ritual.

I want this blog to continue to be a place for me to share the great work, music, and other interesting things that I run across. I have also decided to share more of my own work on it, which I have been doing as of late. I don't want it to feel like a chore, or just post to keep my visitor count up. I want it to be authentic, and truly be reflective of where I am at this moment. So thank you to everyone who keeps coming back, offers input, and contacts me with new work and ideas. Please continue to do so, and I hope you all have a wonderful day.