Sunday, June 28, 2015

The Greatest Photo Book Of All Time

Yeah, I know- an utterly ridiculous statement. So why not just take it as fact and be done with it? I can't prove it, you can't disprove it. Satisfied? Doesn't matter- I'm going with it...

First off, you must simply dispense your personal beliefs and preferences and accept the fact that photography reached it's intellectual and artistic zenith with B&W in the early/mid seventies, and went completely downhill after that color revolution thing of the same decade. With me so far? OK, so I lost maybe... 97.5% of the entire photo audience. Again, doesn't matter.

The book itself is relatively thin, but on the large side- I could tell it wasn't gonna be cheap, and when I opened it and saw the reproductions, I immediately thought three figures. And when I saw the box that held it... Uh-oh. Yeah, it costs $250.

Photo: John Divola

But it's a goddamn gorgeous $250! The lusciously reproduced B&W photos contained in John Divola's San Fernando Valley are deceptively quiet, contemplative- the subtle quirks and nuanced details all hint at the resident's inner lives (when they're not openly broadcasting them with direct views into the camera's lens). The newly settled residents of Bill Owens' Suburbia were gradually affixing themselves into their emerging community; these guys are already settled, they're comfortable in their own skin. After introducing its residents, Mr. Divola's photos then go on to further explore the neighborhood's flora and architecture; and it's all good- exactly what you'd expect from the world's greatest photo book (of all time).

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PS-  Did I get it? Sadly, no. A little too rich for this boy's blood, but I did not return completely empty handed- I was quite happy to get Robert Voit's amazingly beautiful New Trees- a more than worthy typology of uniquely disguised cell phone towers. Ya see, this was supposed to be my now annual report from NYC, but having to address the growing needs of elderly parents, there was not much time to view (or attempt the making of) much photography while there. New York goes on as always, the poor struggle to house and feed themselves, while the rich revel in their own.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Why (oh why) Isn't The Media...

Calling Dylann Roof a terrorist??? Could it be because he's Whi... aw shucks, u know where I'm going with this...

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Photography Is The New Graffiti (pass it on)...

Don't remember where I saw it, but damn... if that don't encapsulate a few dozen lectures and symposiums on the state of photography today- I don't know what does...

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

SB on B...

I "discovered" Blake Andrews a few years back. Two things you realize right off: the guy's good (that's rare enough), and... he's also funny. Lord knows most comedians are painful to watch or listen to- the great ones are not only rare, but extremely observant and often insightful. And successfully translating some modicum of humor into photography on a consistent basis (which B does) is an extremely rare achievement! But enough about him...

Actually, the man has been kind enough to interview your humble servant on his own home turf @ B...

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

RIP- Kalief Browder

Kalief Browder, 1993-2015.    PHOTO: ZACH GROSS

An innocent kid left to rot in jail for three years with no evidence against him other than that he was Black. Beaten, abused, imprisoned for a goddamn backpack he didn't even take. A budding life needlessly stolen and lost without apology issued or responsibility taken. All committed under the perversion we now call justice.