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Having the opportunity to view Nina Berman's work was fun. However, I found the image quality on several prints disappointing. There could have been any number of causes - scan quality, print quality, etc. - but I was a little surprised.
I've come up in photography, being taught that pushing the envelope on my creativity and producing the highest quality output are necessary simultaneities. Over the years, that assumption has been challenged by my peers, which has forced me to believe that there are appropriate times to produce lower than possible final products. I believe appropriate times include lack of skill or the artist's vision, but laziness is no excuse.
What are your thoughts? I'm open to discussion.
Is there an appropriate time for lower than possible production quality? If so, when? What would that look like?
While in New York recently, I visited the Jen Bekman Gallery to see some prints from Nina Berman's Homeland. It was my first time to the gallery and found the space quite nice.
Stephen Alvarez's Earth From Below project is very interesting, considering I had my first cavern experience in Kentucky one week ago with my cousin. I hope he's able to find a publisher soon.
A very good read on the process of contact sheet editing in photography, via a link from Brian Ulrich. I highly recommend on being a photographer by David Hurn/Magnum in conversation with Bill Jay. It's a good read, and its lessons are practical and essential to my own process.
Illinois Art Coucil Funding
Last Summer, I committed to a research paper on public funding for the arts. My concentration was the effect the NEA's funding had/has on the arts and critics of arts funding. Amidst the research, I found a stability - or hope of it - in State funding over Federal funding.
In a blog post by Brian Ulrich, I was informed of a severe cut in State funding to the Illinois Art Concil. I decided to act and joined a petition by "personalizing" and [snail]mailing a letter to the parties listed on the petition site. My "personalization" piece is italicized.
Dear [Listed Parties]:
Significant reductions in funding for the arts in FY08 have threatened the stability and future of the arts sector in Illinois. State funding for the Illinois Arts Council was slashed from $19.7 million in FY07 to $15.2 million in FY08 ‑ a 23% cut unprecedented in the Arts Council's history.
As a voter and an arts supporter, I urge you to restore funding for the arts and support a $24 million appropriation to the Illinois Arts Council as part of the FY09 budget.
The cuts have already had a devastating impact not only directly on artists and arts organizations, but also on children, families, and communities statewide.
The Arts supply an alternative outlet to those who learn and interact in ways other than what is considered "typical." Although the regarded "typical" style of learning and interaction is being pushed universally in schools, it misrepresents the fact that every human being learns and interacts differently. Supplying funding to the arts and arts programs is necessary to raise our education standards ‑ standards that have fallen deeply below those found in most European countries. Right now, Illinois has the opportunity to lead its fellows states in public concern for the arts.
Support for the arts is widespread in Illinois. You and your colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly supported an increase in the Illinois Arts Council's budget to $23.1 million in FY08. Unfortunately, not only was this increase not enacted, state funding for the Arts Council was actually slashed by $4.5 million from the previous year.
Nationally, 45 states increased their investments in their state arts agencies in FY08. Illinois was one of only three states that decreased this investment, slashing arts funding by $4.5 million.
The arts are a smart investment in the social, educational, and economic growth of Illinois. We urge you to support a $24 million appropriation for the Illinois Arts Council in FY09 ‑ that is less than one tenth of one percent of the total state budget. $24 million is a modest investment, but it ensures all Illinois citizens can experience and participate in the arts.
With Sincere Regards
I'm happy to report that I received a response from Mr. Tom Cross, House Republican Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives. Although not exceedingly specific and/or candid, he agreed with Arts' value and committed to "do what [he] can to ensure funding for the arts."
Thank you for your recent letter regarding support of the Illinois Arts Council in the FY09 budget.
It is very unfortunate for the arts have been slashed in the last years. I am in complete agreements with you that the arts provide a vital role in our overall development. Please be assured that I will do what I can to ensure funding for the arts.
Thanks again for your letter. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.
It's likely the letter is somewhat "canned," I have hope that at least one politician will try to support the arts.
Don't give up, change can happen.
Update.
I've received a few questions about the lack of entries over the past several months. Well, I'm on an indefinite hiatus from the blogging world, working on other things in my life. Maybe I'll get back to the blog at some point. We'll see.
Vote!
Don't forget to vote in the Presidential Primaries (Texans too). Then, don't forget to vote for President in the fall!
The Bitter Photographer on Nina Berman
An interesting response to Nina Berman's work on Iraq War Veterans here. (Read comments and get to know the blog for clarification).
Austin's young arts magazine, Cantanker, had a nation-wide Call for Entries earlier this summer. The work I submitted was selected and published among only twenty other artists. You can find copies of the magazine around Austin.
Personal Maintenance
Updates.
This blog will see another hiatus for the next couple weeks. I'll be moving, installing a new kitchen, painting, and getting to work on other house repair/remodels.
I've been selected to be included in a juried art publication, and I'll release those details as I acquire the final information.
Cheers!
NYC Reconsiders Photo Ban
"Responding to an outcry that included a passionate Internet campaign and a satiric rap video, city officials yesterday backed off proposed new rules...In announcing the move, officials at the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting said they would redraft the rules, intended to apply to commercial film and photography productions, to address complaints that they could be too broadly applied. They will then release the revised rules for public comment." (NYTimes).
A step in the right direction, but the battle is not over.
I think Joerg's comments are very interesting, especially the tidbit about Dutch Landscapes, since I studied 17th Century Dutch Art while living in Amsterdam.
Since my interest in Dutch Art lead me to think about the shared characteristics, I realized a missing element: the photograph is taken from ground level. During the 17th Century, it was common to make landscapes from elevated points of view, which became a unique and "epic" detail of the era and style. Since painting techniques still required one to paint inside a studio, the "photo-realism" of the era becomes even more impressive.
Dutch photographer Hans van der Meer used this detail in his book European Fields, which is full of beautiful landscapes containing football matches.
After thinking about the aesthetic relationships of the image, an interesting question popped up. If the image was shot from a higher standpoint, would the viewer's reaction change?
Hey JC, I wouldn't mind discussing 17th Century Dutch Art with you sometime. I'm no expert, but we can pretend anyway. edited.
Events Update: Cantanker B&W Issue
Images from my Of What We See project have been selected for Cantanker Magazine's "Issue 3 1/2: The B&W Issue." I'll be alongside talented artists from Texas and other states whom are working in various media.
Dates and details are forthcoming.
Ban on Photography?
Update: Sign this very important petition. Hurry! The deadline is in a few days.
Photography has had a history of suspicion and general concern over privacy, "National Security," and countless other legal battles. As a photographer, I am offended and upset; I will discuss this after more information is gathered.
July Book Reviews
Update: Due to various circumstances, I have not found time to complete any reviews. Please accept my deepest apologies.
After a two month absence, I have an exciting announcement to make:
During the month of July, I will be house sitting for photographer Brent Humphreys, while he is in Europe working on Le Tour de France. During that time, I will have access to his extensive photo book collection, of which I will post reviews on this blog.
In other news, the Roomate Dave project will be posted to my website soon, and I will begin updating the blog with more photos of Dave.
Texas Arts Funding: Unbalanced?
Reported on the Newswire at Glasstire by Rainey Knudson, Austin receives substantially higher per capita - $5.50, compared to Dallas' $1.50 - funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts. The Dallas Morning News released a lengthy report by Emily Ramshaw on the issue about a month ago. Mentioning issues of private funding versus public and Austin's lack of the former, Knudson asks, "does that mean Austin merits so much more of the pittance of state art funding there is to go around?"
Jeanne Claire van Ryzin from the Austin American Statesman "pre-emptively" defends here with this 16 Dec 06 article. It's a detailed read, saturated with statistics, but it is interesting none-the-less.
Over the past couple months, I've put forth substantial efforts, researching public arts funding in the United States. I began the research with a focus on Texas, but quickly lead to the Federal Government and the NEA. Last month, I attended a very informative session with the City of Austin's Arts in Public Places (AIPP), which explained the process and history of Austin's public arts program. I am, however, not an expert in the field.
I'd like to shed light on some the concerns over the fairness of Austin's higher per capita public arts funding.
Author's note: The scope of this response is to exchange ideas about Austin's public funding, not to make definitive arguments for or against it. Many questions will be asked. Reader research and response is welcome and beneficial to this social discussion. If you have information to share, please do and include references.
First, the method all artists and arts organizations obtain grants is through application. A grant application will be accepted based on a variety of terms: financial need, apparency of ability to use the money towards art, applicant's credentials, impact of artist's community, and others. Many times, well known applicants have an advantage. In the case of an organization or individual with a large endowment - most large art museums - or high sales revenue - popular opera houses, financial need is far less. In asking whether or not Austin's $5.50 per capita funding is unbalanced, one needs to know if Austin has a negatively proportionate source of philanthropic funding.
Since I do not know the answer, playing devil's advocate, let's assume it does not. Let's also assume the suggestion that Austin's location as home to the Texas Commission on the Arts does not play a role in the grant process, since that is not something I feel can be answered definitively.
After making those assumptions, what reasons does Austin have for gaining so much public funding, as compared to Dallas and Houston?
Austin has been home to an unusual percentage of artists for many years. However, it has only recently become home to a burgeoning art scene. In a similar time frame, Austin has become home to a wealthy economy. As Knudson, Ramshaw, and van Ryzin mention, Austin's young economy is wealthy but has not placed much interest into its arts. Yet. With a lack of private philanthropic funding or buying of artworks, it would be difficult for Austin's new arts organizations to survive.
Knowing the arts play a major role in the nation's economy and arguably an even larger role in the culture of a community, Austin's expanding arts over the past 5 to 7 years have appeared to be a smart investment. Houston, Dallas, and even San Antonio, have long been recognized as the Texas art hubs, and adding Austin to that list could help raise Texas' somewhat low arts stature in the US.
At the end of the article in the Dallas Morning News, Ramshaw quotes Dallas Mayor Laura Miller,
Dallas has gotten so much international recognition for very high-end projects, for the performing arts center, for the Arts District, for the huge and generous donations made by Dallas families, But there are a lot of small organizations that are starved for money. It's a mistake to think that all of our small arts needs are being met.
Mayor Miller's statement draws concern to Dallas' smaller arts organizations. In the United States, arts funding is so scarce, many smaller organizations are left in the shadow of larger, more popular organizations. If Austin and Dallas contained the same number of small arts organizations, Dallas' $1.50 per capita funding would not be enough support if Austin's $5.50 were the bar of adequacy. It would be adequate, however, if private support of the arts in Dallas fills in the gap. Again, I do not know the answers.
State funding in the arts encompasses a wide range of art, including visual fine arts, dance, theater, symphony, opera, public arts, film (motion picture), and many others. The support granted to Austin also goes into its large, growing, and successful motion picture industry. Austin's motion picture industry has seen new public funds and an increasing rate of top projects. It is being discussed on the political and social levels as another area of public and economic investment. What portion of Austin's $5.50 per capita funding goes to other industries, such as motion picture, as compared to that of Dallas' $1.50 and Houston's $1.80?
If you have any questions or responses, feel free to post on this blog. I would like to keep open this discussion.
I consider myself a failed musician. After many years of trying to put my mind into music, I gave up and pursued photography full-time--versus the "here and there," as it were. Along the way, I was handed a John Vanderslice album, and the tone was exactly what I was missing. That was early 2001.
Since, I've been living vicariously as a musician through his records. Creepy? Wouldn't be a first. When his album Pixel Revolt was released in 2005, I waited until I returned to the US from Amsterdam in 2006 to buy it, because I wanted to avoid the 25 Euro pricetag. During my wait, I got hold of some songs, and instantly, it became the most anxiously awaited album I had ever wanted. It ended up being worth much, much more than 25 Euros.
Now, sitting on the cusp of his latest album's release, I can't wait. I was fortunate enough to attend his show in Austin on 6 May 2007 to hear some of Emerald City. The show was fantastic, and I was stoked about the new tracks. Soon as Barsuk Records began taking preorders for the album, due 24 June 2007, I jumped on the band wagon. As I was filling out the order form, I realized I don't know where I'll be living around the time it is ready to ship. It's a terrible situation to find myself. It's a shame I can't get my hands on one NOW--hint hint.
For now, listed to "White Dove" on Barsuk.com (right click and Save As if necessary). Then, buy all of his other albums, listed here.
Fielding Lecht Gallery: Final Show
Last night, I attended the final reception at the Fielding Lecht Gallery on Congress (Austin, TX). On display are photographs and artwork from Vance Holmes, Turk Pipkin, and Katie Pipkin. The show is a fundraising event for the Nobelity Project and a farewell to another gallery in Austin.
The Fielding Lecht Gallery has focused on contemporary Vietnamese art, occasionally showing other genres of art. The space is beautiful, only two doors down from Arthouse, and the gallerists are always friendly and excited to talk about the art. It's a shame this gallery must shut its doors. Although, with Austin's small art scene--yes, it is growing and shows promise--it is no surprise.
May Art in Austin, TX
Over on Jaime's blog, 'Bout What I Sees, a fairly comprehensive list of May art shows in Texas has been posted.
You should check it out and support the Texas arts community.
Brian Ulrich Leaves Austin
It was a good weekend with the super famous Brian Ulrich. Friday's lecture on his Copia series was very interesting, and the portfolio reviews on Saturday were very insightful.
You know, Mr. Ulrich is somewhat of a strange fella. As his work continues to gain notoriety, he's beginning to form a mythological Mysterious Rock Star persona. It doesn't help when he shows up to lecture like this either:
"Just Toweled Off" Courtesy of Notifbutwhen.com
Yeah, this might be Texas, and It might be hotter than Chicago. But is showing off your hot rock star bod necessary in a situation like that?
