Killed: Rejected Images of the Farm Security Administration

There is a recently released photobook that deserves some attention, it is titled "Killed: Rejected Images of the Farm Security Administration." It is 157 images from the Farm Security Administration that have been "killed" by Roy Stryker. The images were compiled by a William E. Jones, and seem to show a side to main stream life that was intentionally "killed" from the public. My copy of the book is in the mail, in which I will comment on the essays prefacing the photographs, but as of right now descriptions are stating that what is shown is photographic evidence of a mainstream homosexual culture in America during the days of the Depression. A statement from the book by Jones says, “Many (perhaps even most) viewers would find in the archive not a trace of homosexuality, but I refused to believe that it was completely absent from the visual record of the Great Depression. An historical queer presence must have been documented, if only unconsciously or accidentally, by the photographers of the FSA.” Jones also speaks about the current status of the American economy today, suggesting that we wont ever accept that we are in a depression until a picture proves it to us. I'm not sure that it's quite that bad, but he does make some valid points about the relationship photography has to the acceptance of reality. Anyways, there is only 1000 copies in this first edition, so get your hands on it if you see it! More to come once the book gets here......

"Notorious and Notable: 20th Century Women of Style" at the Museum of the City of New York

I think most people are suckers for a great fashion exhibit, especially myself. New York has seen its fair share of great fashion exhibits this summer, from the Brooklyn Museum to the Met, there were some amazing women's fashions on show in the past few months. But the Museum of the City of New York has taken an different spin on their fashion exhibit of the year, first of all, the fabulous outfits are organized by color, not period, and are shown as though walking down a runway. Second, most of the dresses you get to see have been worn by one of New York's fabulous females, from the likes of Jackie O to Lauren Bacall to Barbara Walters.A total of 80 women of New York's society, art, and politics were represented in the fashions shown.

...I think a good stroll in a fantastic fashion exhibit is just as good as a chick flick on a friday night..... check it out if you get the chance!!

worn by Rosamund Bernier

worn by Bernice Chrysler Garbisch

worn by Ethel Scull

worn by Gypsy Rose Lee

worn by Isadora Duncan

JR's new project Trailer, "Women are Heroes"

TRAILER " WOMEN ARE HEROES" from SOCIAL ANIMALS on Vimeo.

Artist/Photographer JR wins 2011 TED Prize!

The fabulous "guerilla" street artist JR has been awarded the 2011 TED prize, winning $100,000! JR goes into then slums in cities such as Paris, as well as parts of the Middle East and Africa and takes photographs of the local people, in which he blows up to billboard size that get put up around the city. He focuses on images of women in some of the cities in Africa, and on the struggle between Palestinians and Israeli's within the Middle East, and by doing so is highlighting the "local hero"within those neighborhoods. The images are incredibly moving as is the project as a whole, and really show the power that photography can have within a public space. I love it!!  Check out an interview/video on the artist on the TED blog here: http://blog.ted.com/2010/10/20/meet-jr/

Simone Lueck

These photographs are being shown in Los Angeles, CA at the Kopeikin Gallery. 

I am new to this photographer, however after reading the premise to the works, she reminds me of a cross between Alex Prager and Katy Grannan, which can make for some interesting images. I think my favorite might be the woman on the Tiger rug.... 

"The artist placed ads on Craigslist and in newspapers in various US cities soliciting older woman to pose as glamorous movie stars. The pictures are collaborations: Each participant is asked to provide her own makeup, hair and wardrobe. As active players in the affair, the women are able to shape their individual portrayal. The shows are fantasies, and the performance reflects each woman's perception of glamour."

Alison Rossiter at Yossi Milo Gallery

Photograms at their best! At first I walked in thinking there was a painting exhibition going on, but as I walked up to the first piece you could see the corners of the photo paper curling and the beautiful tones on the edges of the exposure lines.They were created on expired vintage photo paper, and she pours the developer onto the paper, as though forming a painting in the darkroom. 

 I'm new to this photographer, but I'm going to find out more, absolutely stunning work, a wonderful Chelsea find! 

Alison Rossiter, Reduction 

September 23, 2010–October 30, 2010

Laura Letinsky at Yancey Richardson Gallery

Tradition and Modernity in flux: Visual Binaries in Contemporary Iranian Photography {A series of Dissertation Images}

Shadi Ghadirian, Qajar Series 

Shirin Aliabadi, Miss Hybrid 

Shirin Aliabadi, Miss Hybrid 

Shadi Ghadirian, Qajar Series 

Shadi Ghadirian, Qajar Series 

Shadi Ghadirian, Qajar Series

Houra Yaghoubi, Who is my generation?

Houra Yaghoubi, Who is my generation?

Katayoun Karami , The Other side 

Katayoun Karami, The other side

Shadi Ghadirian, Like Everyday Series

Shirin Neshat, Fervor

Shirin Neshat, Fervor

Shirin Neshat, Women of Allah 

Shirin Neshat, Women of Allah 

Shirin Neshat, Women of Allah 

Shirin Neshat, Women of Allah

Shirin Neshat, Fervor

Shirin Neshat, Fervor 

Shirin Neshat, The Last Word 

Shirin Neshat, The Last Word 

Roya Falahi 

Roya Falahi 

Roya Falahi

Houra Yagoubi, Who is my generation?