Rob Ball, from ‘Greetings From…’
I came across the work of Rob Ball. Of particular note is his ‘Greetings From…’ series, though it’s nice to see someone working in an accomplished, unselfconscious black and white, visible in his ‘Morgues’ series. [Manchester Photographer]
Stefan Ruiz, from his ‘Telenovelas’ series
A while ago, /Journal linked to the site of Stefan Ruiz, particularly admiring his work in Africa. I took a look at that portfolio and thought it competent but not amazing. Recently, however, I returned to the site and discovered his Telenovelas series, which is actually amazing. An obvious parallel is Larry Sultan’s ‘The Valley,’ but Ruiz’s series doesn’t contain the ambiguous morality that comes with depicting sex workers in a voyeuristic medium.
It’s all a matter of time until the art market goes belly up, according to some commentators. Or not, according to Marion Maneker on Slate. But I still can’t help but wonder, whether it goes up or down, how its really going to affect those of us in more modest price ranges. Almost all of the predictions are based on auction results from the big name houses. But what are we to think when a print sold on 20×200 sells out in 6 minutes? Will the art market going bust extend that time to 12? If it gets stronger, will it decrease to 3?
Alex Prager
The photoblogosphere has picked up on the work of Alex Prager (Zoum Zoum and the Sonic Blog).
I don’t have much of a response to offer except for this:
Cindy Sherman, from her ‘Untitled Film Stills’
Philip-Lorca diCorcia’s ‘Gerald Hughes (a.k.a. Savage Fantasy); about 25 years old; Southern California; $50,’ from the series ‘Hustlers’
Shane Lavalette has also managed to discover a massive gallery of Philip-Lorca diCorcia work which is well worth a look.
Brassa√Ø’s ‘Paris De Nuit,’ one of the books available at Christie’s recent photobook auction
Well, between the press over the nude Carla Bruni and the amazing selection of photobooks for sale, Christie’s had an amazing selection of photo related auctions a couple of weeks ago and generated a huge interest. Photography Collector posted an extremely useful short roundup. 5b4 also has a more detailed roundup specifically of the photobook auction.
Nikita Khrushchev and Dick Nixon, 1959, Moscow, Russia by Elliot Erwitt
This hasn’t certainly been picked up elsewhere, but if you haven’t seen it yet you should really go check out Magnum’s interview with Burt Glinn And Elliot Erwitt. The interview continues a tradition of Magnum’s blog of posting really excellent content and jibes with the agency’s whole approach of presenting itself as this grand old dame of concerned documentary photography.
I can say, though, that by hanging around the place, hearing some of the history, and collecting what that the staff tell about the rest of the staff, the staff tell about the photographers, the photographers tell about the staff, and what the photographers tell about each other (not to mention the nationalisticly flavored interoffice tensions between Paris, New York, and London bureaus), that the actual dynamics of the place are considerably more messy. Still, though, I guess it does still play into the whole mystique.
Obviously, I haven’t been posting all that much lately. Sorry. I just got through a really busy past two weeks that included, in no particular order, a break up, a make up, a birthday, like 30 meetings, several business decisions, and a general reevaluation of everything I’m doing, ever. At any rate, it’s all over now, and posting should resume with its usual frequency, especially since I have two 4 day weekends in a row coming up thanks to the celebration of International Commie-Pinko Day and the less colorfully named Armistice Day, so I can finally catch up on some of the work that’s been holding my blogging to a minimum.
About that blogging thing, though… I have to admit – its alot of work. I guess I wasn’t expecting it to be this much work. I figured I’d just jot down the thoughts on photography that run through my head constantly anyways, but at this point I’m starting to feel guilty when I don’t blog. Though I’m not planning to disappear, I will take the time to announce that this blog is on a deadline. I’ll round out a full year (that means that this blog is over February 1st, 2009), see where it’s gotten me, and unless someone begins paying me to do this, I’m going to follow the illustrious paths of so many others and just fuck off. 12th Press may or may not find someone to replace me here on the blog, but my part in it will be over.
But, until then, you can be sure to come back here for lots of photo content – I’ve got plenty of things in the works that’ll bring me into contact with some really interesting photo topics. I, unfortunately, can’t reveal any of them in any detail, but as they come to pass I’ll let you all know. In the meantime, though, I’d be happy to introduce you to my current topic du jour, penis poaching.
Martin Parr, from ‘The Last Resort‘
I know, it’s been days since I’ve had time to post… Things have been really crazy around here. I promise, I’m saving up a lot to show you guys and discuss. At any rate, to tide you over, here’s a link to an article on Martin Parr that appeared in the London Times. It’s nothing new (most of the information here appeared in the intro to Parr’s Phaidon monograph), but is a fairly good summary anyways.
Robert Frank, from ‘The Americans’
And 2point8 weighs in on the Steidl reissued ‘Americans’…
So it’s September, and here in Paris the 6 month winter has apparently already begun. We’re virtually guaranteed the grey, pissing skies present today until April, unless Summer somehow effects a Lazarus like return from the dead.
It’s not all bad, though: September also marks the rentré, when all of France returns to work. That means lots and lots of stuff going on, as all of the work and events that would have happened in August are crammed into the first couple of weeks of the month of September.
Included in that are two special events I want to draw your attention to. First, Le Garage, the exhibition project I was involved in in Arles this year, will be showing again in Toulouse at the venerable Chateau d’Eau gallery, opening September 24th. If you’re around, be sure to check it out. The Le Garage site is due for an update with details of the show – when that happens, I’ll be sure to mention it here.
And here in Paris (or its environs), Laurence Vecten, of LOZ fame, has gotten together with Laurent Champoussin to present PIY / Publish It Yourself, ‘an exhibition of self-published photobooks.’
The show is next week-end, saturday 11th and sunday 12th, at Maison d’art Bernard Anthonioz, in Nogent sur Marne (16, rue Charles VII, Nogent sur Marne ; 12.00 am until 6.00 pm).
In our selection of books, you may find names you have already seen on LOZ.
Our idea is to show different range of books : monographs, posters, zines, boxes, different types of printing, and of course impulsive choices.
I’ll be checking it out on Sunday if anyone cares to join me…
NEXT UP: All of the links I’ve been saving for you and never had a chance to share. I’m wading through the folder today, so I should have a nice round up in the next couple of days.
