American Portraits- Leon A. Borensztein

I saw quite a few books on my recent trip to NYC at Strand, Dashwood and MOMA, a good half dozen that I wanted to buy (more on each later), and of the whole lot, two that I actually bought (thank you Amex)- the two that affected me most viscerally, both of which must someday be added to a revised and expanded Best Photo Book of All Time listing.

American Portraits- Leon A. Borensztein

When I look at American Portraits, I immediately think Milton Rogovin meets Awkward Family Photos. And despite that seemingly incongruous hybrid analogy, the book cries classic from the moment you open it, that rare combination of art that effectively combines melancholy with humor in a package made from the heart.

This is what masterful, evocative portraiture is all about- modest in presentation, complex in the range of emotions and aesthetics that it both challenges and commands. Leon Borensztein knew he was in the presence of some particularly potent subject matter as he went about making commercial studio portraits of every day working class subjects in their homes. Upon completing the standard commercial fare, he then switched to B&W, and got serious, often going wide to reveal modest details of the subject's home life that the backdrop would obscure, and asking his subjects to dispense with the smiles (to which they often complied)- once "they removed their proverbial mask," the photographs came to life. I'm certainly not going to get into what portraits do and don't reveal- we should all be familiar with that territory by now. What is not that familiar (despite the billions of photos taken daily and the hundreds if not thousands of star photographers), are portraits of this calibre and presence.

Truth be told, when I first saw this book online, I was not all that impressed- this is not essentially new or revolutionary technique or subject matter we're talking about. Good, somewhat interesting, but... Most of us have by now hopefully learned not to judge the quality of a photograph by an online jpeg- and yet, it is only dawning on me that the same pertains exponentially to photographic books. Clearly, this is not the medium to see or appreciate the gorgeous reproductions this book presents- or the love it exudes.

A New York Frame Of Mind

After some years of not living in NYC, I emerge from the subway on 14st, luggage in hand and this klutz steps on my foot. I give him a look, and he fires one back saying neither "Sorry" nor "Excuse me," but, "You stepped in front of me!" And before I could even think of what to say or how to say it, my mouth already on voice activation mode, immediately blurted out, "You lying sack of shit, you walked up behind me!" 

0.2 seconds out of the subway, and I'm back in a NY frame of mind...

No Immediate Deadline...

Photo: S. Banos

There's been some talk about where photography's headed next, the next trend, the next new thing, the brand new cutting edge of where photography's going to take us and what we'll all be doing with our ever present, ever clicking cameras- as if we're talking about the next digital firmware update. And all of this at the same time that we remind ourselves that photography is, indeed, a most limited medium. 

There has been a general and long running insecurity that photography has absorbed from its critics and willingly bequeathed upon itself- as if apologizing for its very existence, while perpetually seeking out validation as a creative and legitimate counterpart to its more established, art world predecessors. Forty years ago photography couldn't compete with painting because print sizes were too small, the eighties put an end to that argument. And now, we've taken every supposed photo imaginable, eight times over, in every conceivable size and format. Only, painting got there first, as well... Is it also sweating how and when it will get to its next new thing?

Personally, I'm not all that concerned about this need for the new, or more exactly, I'm not concerned with the seeming rush to get there, as if what we have now is so utterly, totally inadequate, exhausted, or "perfected." Technology may be outpacing the creativity needed to master it, or more likely, like evolution itself- it leads us down many false or finite paths before the dust clears and we finally "arrive." Photography, as all other art forms, will evolve at its own particular and peculiar pace; it is not a particular style of music (dying or otherwise)- it is the music! And is the latter itself at a standstill? Forget jazz- rock and rap seem every bit the more tired than anything in photo land. Or am I just too old to hear the sound of the new golden age all around me? Another discussion perhaps.

Styles will always absorb, transcend and regenerate. One day technology may give us photographs that "open up" into interactive holograms. I may, or may not be around, and at any rate can certainly wait. For now, photography is, as it always has been, a medium so wonderfully and imperfectly suited to dealing with... the past.

I'm leaving for home (NYC)* this week- see the folks, catch a few exhibits and books, some pizza, bagels and egg creams. See yas in a couple of weeks... Peace, & Congratulations, Curiosity (BTW)!       * drop me a line if ya'd like to say hello...

Gun Reality In The USA

Let's make one thing clear- the reason The NRA is so utterly gun ho about guns is not because of their bullshit premise that the government is going to one day suddenly turn on them. Why, oh why, would a government run predominantly by Whites turn on the very White people who pay them off so handsomely every single election year? I'd respect the NRA a lot more if they simply stated their obvious goal- to make sure that there are more guns and ammo of each and every kind in the hands of whites, than in the hands of their fellow black and brown citizens who they so fervently fear and detest.

FACT.

  

And James Hansen also leaves little doubt. Whether it's rotting fish, dried up crops or your fried front lawn- how much longer are the brain dead going to deny the obvious? Answered my own question, didn't I?

The Idyllic Natural Beauty Of Faking It

Photo(s): Carlo Bevilacqua

Incredibly moving and beautiful imagery that really lends power and substance to its subject matter- until you discover that uhmm... some of these idyllic scenarios have been "altered." More than a tad ironic that Mr. Bevilacqua  chose to document and celebrate those who purposely prefer simplicity in their life- then deliberately chose technology to alter the very images of their chosen reality... Can "art" and intent be any more conflicted?

Photographic Immortality!

Photo: Larissa Leclair

That's right folks, the kid's been accepted (and so can you) into the hallowed and invulnerable halls of indie photobookdom at The Independent PhotoBook Library. Years hence, long after the approaching apocalypse, when nothing but ashes and a handful of random, rusted 35mm cameras remain... deep within the inner recesses of their impenetrable vaults- a small, brave band of indie photo books will survive and resurrect the sacred art of photography for the small, lost remainder of humanity to carry on...

Betrayal Of The American Dream...

The Lost Legend- Rodriguez

Walk down any city block in any given city, and depending on the size of that city, you'll automatically walk past dozens, hundreds, thousands of legends in their own minds. Now what is completely and genuinely rare is- how many legends have you heard of who aren't even aware of their own uniquely singular status? And how is it that a living legend of South Africa with his roots in the Sixties is "discovered" alive and anonymous in his native America of the 21st Century?

Such is the very bizarre and intriguing story of one Sixto Rodriguez now revealed in the new documentary Searching for Sugarman- the story of a (supposedly) dead legend whose music helped inspire a political (anti-apartheid) movement in a foreign country while he remained unknown in his own to the very day. Hearing his debut album Cold Fact, one is surprised to hear a work that still resonates with a voice and poetry eerily reminiscent of equal measures Dylan and Cohen.

Lucid Dreaming

Photo: Lisa Wood

Saw this on Valencia St. in SF and knew it would make a cool square format photo. Told the wife- and... Instagram!

Gore Vidal- RIP

The Auckland Project- John Gossage/ Alec Soth

Photo: John Gossage

John Gossage should have been banned a long time ago, for the sake of all the rest of us who ever think of picking up a camera and embarrassing ourselves, his vision is that consummate. Color, or B&W- format doesn't faze him either. The guy can take amazing photographs of absolutely nothing, absolutely anywhere. He's pretty much made a career of it.

The Auckland Project is a two part "collaboration" between Gossage and Alec Soth bound in a bright plastic sleeve. Although to be fair, the latter's contribution consists of a poster and a couple of snapshots. Not really quite sure what that's all about! The Gossage portion, called An Easy Guide to the Southern Stars (A Number of Photographs), consists of a hardbound book with excellent color reproductions and fold out enlargements at regular intervals. The pictures are of the most banal and mundane everyday objects and vistas that Mr. Gossage came upon during his promenades throughout suburban Auckland. Eggleston's subject matter looks like a Hollywood action movie complete with pyrotechnic explosions and car chases compared to ol' John's scenarios of drying paint. Regardless, the son of a bitch somehow, someway manages to fill them with a sense of mystery and make them shine.

We should all be so lucky, and talented. Most of us die trying on our own daily jaunts through the neighborhood (or whatever domain, foreign or domestic, we find ourselves privileged to roam) camera in hand- the one we have personally anointed for own specific needs and vision. And after a day's worth of time and effort, we're "supposed" to go home with our half dozen keepers. Of course, rare is the day; but that's the way it's "supposed" to work. Gossage does it regularly- in fact, after doing just that one day, he had Soth in a near depression.

Like many of Friedlander's projects, Gossage could have definitely gone with a tighter edit, the sheer number of similar images only serves to dilute the magic- still, amazing how many of the damn things work. Despite that plethora, this was the only decent jpeg I could find, and even more ironically, the picture that most represents the book online is Soth's one photo contribution- go figure. Anyway, though I can't fit it into my budget at the time, this one's worth the price (at $50, that is-  wouldn't pay what I'm seeing elsewhere)...

Update: And perhaps my proofreader should also be banned for originally misspelling Auckland. Thanks- JG!

Ai Wei Wei- Never Sorry

What manner of man is Ai Wei Wei... someone who can resurrect as lame and tired a gesture as giving the finger into a fresh and provocative symbol of both hope and defiance. I have to admit, I really didn't know shit about Ai Wei Wei before this movie and he's probably definitely the most important artist in the world today if only because he's inspiring an entire country (and audience worldwide) by directly challenging a corrupt, authoritarian  political system. And art could have no greater or more noble cause to validate and exclaim its very existence. What he makes clear is that you cannot separate the two, you cannot have one without the other, for art is the fullest expression of individual and collective freedom.

And he risks his life and safety in that very cause... 

Lost In San Francisco, Part...

Photos: Stan B.

Zero Accountability...

Happy Birthday!

 And welcome to the nostalgia of the new status quo!

Gun Lover's Paradise!!!

It's been interesting reading how gun enthusiasts salivate to make this a country where there aren't needless laws that restrict and hinder their god given right and freedom to own as many guns and weapons as they demand. Rejoice my gun loving brethren! That land of cordite, milk and honey (and countless guns and endless ammo) is already every bit as real as an AK-47 with an extended banana clip of armor piercing rounds. So why isn't The NRA a bit more enthusiastic about promoting tourism in Somalia?

Fun Fact: More settlers on The Oregon Trail died from accidental self inflicted gun shot wounds than from Indian attacks. Yee-ha!!!

Accountability in 2012!?

Yup! From Obama? Uh-uh. From Congress? Please. The Pope? You jest. But imagine if the latter- or any or the aforementioned did react to injustice like the NCAA? Bravo!!! 

Update: Or maybe NOT...

I Just Have This Feeling...

Was watching this interview on PBS where a senior citizen was asked if she supported Obama's new health care legislation. When she replied in the negative, she was then asked what exactly she didn't like about it. The response was immediate, "I don't know exactly what- I just have this feeling." Nothing more than...

Political Gun Advocates- Paid To Be Insane

Interestingly, Sen. Johnson is also a friend to pedophile priests.

We can have laws regulating safety restrictions concerning cars, food, drugs- you name it... But there is no way, no way in hell that we can ever tolerate any restrictions whatsoever on how many guns we can own and how lethal we can make them! Cause everyone knows that if every American had an assault rifle, an RPG, and a different handgun for every day of the week (along with limitless ammo on demand), we would all be infinitely safer! Every god fearing American above the age of two knows that this great country was forged on the backs of those brave citizens able and willing to purchase high capacity 100 round magazines for their automatic weapons!!!

PS- Not to worry, all the media attention (what little there is and won't be) about having fewer guns in our lives will be over in... two weeks. Guaranteed.

Good Day, Mr. Wiggins!

Photo: Bogdan Cristal/Reuters

And congratulations on that little bike race you just happened to win (and do so cleanly)- the first Brit to hold and keep the famed maillot juane! If (like I once was) you're not impressed, try riding up a hill on a bike one day. These guys ride race up mountains The Alps. And the "fun" lasts for three weeks...