Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Ode to Keiren
A fellow photographer friend, Keiren, is working on a futuristic photo project about people and bikes merging. As I was riding my bike home on my short commute from work the other night, I realized that even if not literally merging with my bike, this year I've comfortably been using my bike as a main source of transportation. My bike has become a good, reliable friend. Thank you, Keiren, for helping me realize this bonding between my bike and myself.
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Influenced by our environment
Charles Johnstone
Little Red Car, 2006
© Charles Johnstone
Kunsthandel Jörg Maaß
Rankestr. 24
10789 Berlin
Germany
Rankestr. 24
10789 Berlin
Germany
13 Nov - 22 Dec 2009
Johnstone intentionally leaves people out of his photographs. We are forced to form our own opinions of Havana from his series based on environmental factors. I am attracted to this photograph because of the very boxy, aquatic blue architectural building in the background with harsh shadows. It juxtaposes well with the petite, rounded, bright red car parked in front of it. Those composition choices nearly give the little red car a personality, one which I will probably continue to think about and dream about tonight in my sleep.
Silvia Noferi
Moments de la photographie contemporaine italienne II
Centre d'art Nei Liicht
Galeries Dudelange
25, rue Dominique Lang
3401 Dudelange
Luxembourg
Galeries Dudelange
25, rue Dominique Lang
3401 Dudelange
Luxembourg
31 Oct - 05 Dec 2009
Nofari's imagery was chosen for this contemporary Italian photographic exhibition because of her artistic and political thought in the midst of current Italian culture. This image provides such mystery and at the same time is so deep with understanding. Even though we may not be able to see the model's face, her posture in the chair provides an 'drunk with thought' body language. She gazes into the sunlight that floods in from the door in front of her. What beauty and somberness. The room that she sits in only enhances this drunken thoughtfulness. Mmm, mystery and narration.
Kader Attia
Rochers Carrés, 2009
© Courtesy Kader Attia and Christian Nagel Gallery
8th Bamako Encounters, Biennial of African Photography- Borders
Maison Africaine de la Photographie
Direction des Rencontres africaines de la photographie de Bamako
Bibliothèque nationale, Zone ACI 2000
BP 4075 Bamako
Mali
Direction des Rencontres africaines de la photographie de Bamako
Bibliothèque nationale, Zone ACI 2000
BP 4075 Bamako
Mali
November 7 through December 7, 2009
What a wonderful composition and choice of scenery. There is a contemplation and distance in the model's body language. Similar to Nofari's image, I enjoy how much the body plays the role in emotional capacity without relying on facial expressions. And plus, those sculptural elements he is sitting on do the composition and photo some justice.
World AIDS Day
The Auraria Campus Library has a World AIDS Day art exhibition each year in their gallery space. HIV/AIDS awareness is something I strongly advocate and there is still a lot of work to be done in that realm. I will be submitting this triptych this week for that exhibition. I've recently loved playing with night photography and light writing (writing with a flashlight at night time with those long, fun exposure times) and I may look like a fool when I'm out there doing it but I've technically gotten pretty good at it. I thought that light writing in the dark of night would be a great way to get my message across. It's a bit on the blatant political side, especially concerning those living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. Hopefully we can make some necessary changes.
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
A smattering
Please remind me of who I am, 2009
© Lorna Simpson
Courtesy Salon94, New York
1133 Avenue of the Americas
at 43rd Street
New York, NY 1003
at 43rd Street
New York, NY 1003
October 2, 2009–January 17, 2010
What a sweet display about identity! Lorna Simpson acquired vintage photo booth images of African American subjects from the 1940s to '70s. There is a voyeuristic element, as the subjects were thought to be alone behind the photo booth curtain. In addition, I am quite intrigued by the placement and random looking nature of the placement of images. This would be quite the installation to see in person.
FEATHERED EDGE: A NEW INSTALLATION
Photo by Brian Forrest
152 N Central Ave
Glendale, CA 91203
July 26-November 15, 2009
This photo looks a bit like the rainbow is raining into the MOCA Design Center gallery space. I know, rainbows raining, right? On this blog, I haven't showed much other than photography but this installation was too good to pass up. It reminded me a bit of other textile and thread installations I've seen recently. It's amazing how it changes the spaces and becomes a factor in the environment, not to mention how aesthetically pleasing it is!
David Wojnarowics
Untitled, 1988
Synthetic polymer on two chromogenic prints
11 x 13 1/4 in. (27.9 x 33.7 cm)
Madison Ave at 75th Street
New York, NY
September 25, 2009–January 3, 2010
It took me a while to find an image of this work that was larger than a thumbnail. Glad I found it finally because it is a dynamic image. I love how the contact sheets are integrated into the final work. Maybe that's a photo-geek thing. The digital image of this (like the other works from this week) doesn't do it justice. It would be wonderful to see the small bits of information to relate the contact sheet images to the larger kissing silhouettes. What a beautiful representation of bodies. Did someone say theory concerning the body?!
Taking it out with the trash
It might have been that I was up way too early the day after Halloween but found a few things a bit interesting on my trip around the side of the house to the garbage can. I thought that they were worth the document.
© Jonah Wright
Beer bottles everywhere. I'm glad folks enjoyed their Halloween but four beer bottles littering the corner around the outside of my house wasn't so enjoyable. At least the morning light in the snow of this photo was worthwhile.
© Jonah Wright
I can't think of a better way for someone to fix a fence. Go team.
© Jonah Wright
Poor. Piggy. He used to be be so shiny and new. Now he's just so empty and... blue. R.I.P., Piggy!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Someone missing: the still life
This week's post is inspired by an old friend of mine, Corey Seeholzer. All three of the exhibitors' work remind me of Corey's photography. Check out his photo blog
He has an amazing, quirky style. Whether he includes models (by the way, wonnnnderful lighting skills!) or takes photos of environments void of people, his images provide a depth of storytelling and mystery. These artists provide the same feeling of wonderment with their still lives.
Untitled
36 Gosbell Street . Paddington
NSW 2021 Sydney
Australia
28 Oct - 28 Nov 2009
This is such a simple still life and is so beautiful. The dark green/blue walls and the cords with the singular suitcase makes me giggle with enjoyment of the unknown. Questioning the intent and who may have previously been in the environment is such a beautiful mystery to try and decipher. This work reminds me a lot of Corey's environmental still lives, mentioned above. Kudos, everyone!
Laura Letinsky
Untitled #1, 2009
Via dei Tre Orologi, 6A
00197 Rome, Italy
23 OCTOBER – 13 DECEMBER 2009
Here is a prime example of the still life after everyone has left the party. Letinsky is a Canadian artist who was commissioned to photograph tabletops in historic Roman Palazzi during one month this past spring. Each photograph in the series provides a different, interesting story and is wonderfully photographed. I love wanting to know more and I find myself continuing to look at these photographs to decipher the information that has been provided so that I can learn more of the mystery.
Light on the Folding Bed, 2009
C-Print. 100cm x 130cm, Edition of 6.
RC. Shanghai
14 Nov - 15 Jan 2010
Beaaautiful! This still life's mirrors bring amazing visual interest to an otherwise empty room, notwithstanding the cot. The reflections of light on the wall remind me of snow falling. Well, maybe snow, maybe glitter. Either way, there is a dreamlike quality to the image-sans people.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Somethin' missing...
I've become a huge fan of night photography. In all of the following photographs, I'm physically in them, for at least a little bit of time but because they're about 30 second exposure times, I'm not in them the whole time. Even in the last one, check out the transparent nature of my legs.
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
'Cuz trees are terrrrrific
Sure, so maybe I thought that 'trees are terrrrrific' was a fun blast from the past. It was also ironic that there are three of them. Thankfully the title wasn't "t(h)rees are terrific." Heaven knows I enjoy using excess punctuation. Anyway, I like trees; okay, I love trees. A regular ol' tree-hugger, even. This week, I'd love if we were all able to take a little bit of time to reflect on our friends, the trees and at least a few of their visual and symbolic referents.
Central Park, north of the Obelisk, behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, May 1993
C-Print, AP 3/3, Ed. 7
On this Site
Charlottenstr. 13/7510969 Berlin
Germany
18 Sep - 07 Nov 2009
This is such a beautiful, encompassing tree and the warm (probably sunset) lighting does wonders for it. The encompassing tree is juxtaposed by the reasoning of this photo locale. "In this sobering collection, Joel Sternfeld looks at places where violence has stained the American Landscape. Arriving long after news photographers have gone, he presents us with the landscape that is left behind, the ordinary site that remains after the tragedy." "I went to Central Park to find the place behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art where Jennifer Levin had been killed. It was bewildering to find a scene so beautiful... to see the same sunlight pour down indifferently on the earth." I know, quite the juxtaposition, right? The mixed feelings of the beauty integrated with the knowledge of the slain individuals are apparent in each of Sternfeld's photographs.
PINS PARASOL A CANNES, 2007
Digitally printed color photograph on Japanese paper, Ed. of 10
20 x 30 in. 50.8 x 76.2 cm.
20 x 30 in. 50.8 x 76.2 cm.
07 Oct - 07 Nov 2009
Sonneman's diptychs are a bit on the lighter side, presenting sequence shots of leisure time. She "explores the notion of the landscape as witness to the passage of time." The silhouetted trees do a great job providing for the visual landscape and that relaxed leisure quality.
Flatiron Building, Study 2, New York City, USA, 2003
New York + New Works
75014 Paris
France
14 Oct - 28 Nov 2009
Falling for fall
I'm not saying that I enjoy the cold (because I don't!) but all of those leaves that are sacrificing their lives as they fall off the trees in the cold make for pretty natural design. Thanks, leaves. Here are a few shots from my deck on a blasted overcast day (can we say muted tones?).
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
More of our 'other' kids
Our furry friends (and I don't just mean the bears) deserve their time in front of the camera. Here are a few examples of current exhibitions somewhere in the world that include our non-human family and friends.
Beauty and the Best l'Uomo Vogue 1996
Retrospective
41 rue d'Artois
75008 Paris
France
07 Sep - 30 Oct 2009
This looks a bit more like a fashion photograph to me but I love it. The expressions of the models are wonderful in relation to the setting. And the print quality looks extremely well done. I was trying to find more information about what kind of print this is. I would be extremely impressed if it was silver gelatin and not a digital print.
Untitled (Mask), 2009
Paradis
Foam_Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam
Keizersgracht 609
1017 DS Amsterdam
Netherlands
1017 DS Amsterdam
Netherlands
04 Sep - 22 Nov 2009
Dumas has a special talent with her portraits of animals. Just look at the attention and personality that she was able to catch in that photo. The lighting of the dog compared to the rich blue background creates a wonderful contrast of color. Kudos!
Portraits
Okay, so maybe this isn't someone's household friend but maybe it is. Either way, what a beautiful, vibrantly colored photograph and headshot. And look at those eyes!
Puppy Love
Yes, more love this week... this time I dedicate it to our 'other' family members, our pets. Just yesterday I was sitting on the couch and the morning light hit my Lola so well that I had to snap a few pictures of her. I'm starting to think after six years that she doesn't love her daddy pointing a random black box in her face. Imagine: my little girl not loving the camera?! Even if she doesn't love me waving the camera near her, the girl takes a good picture. Exhibits (a), (b) and (c):
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Speaking of laughter
I went to the MCA Denver last weekend with a friend to check out their current exhibitions. As we walked down a hallway, I'm sure we had a confused, perplexed look as we entered a gallery with strange noises coming from it. Jim Green's installation made us laugh and laugh. It was something to be experienced. If you are here in Denver (or find yourself in Denver), check it out before the exhibition closes at the end of October. It was a hearty reminder to me as to how difficult humor can be in art. Sometimes we have a tendency to take ourselves a bit serious as artists. I appreciate those that can pull off some humor in art. The following photographs put a smile on my face.
Grand Paris Texas, 2008
05 Sep - 08 Nov 2009
I can't decide if it is the sculpture, the photograph or both that make me giggle a little bit. Talk about a great juxtaposition. This sculpture is in Paris, Texas. This photo is actually a still from a video piece about the intertwining of the folks in that little Texas town. That red cowboy hat atop the pseudo Eiffel Tower is a winner.
Tim Roda
The Centaur, 2009
18 Sep - 31 Oct 2009
What a beautiful photograph! There is a playfulness in Roda's photographs and this very dreamlike image incites memories and contains a bit of enjoyable humor. Oh, and of course the tonal range in the print is wonderful!
Rudi Weissenstein
Fisherman at the street, Tel Aviv, 1952
01 Oct - 07 Nov 2009
Humor, you ask? I know, I know, it may not seem that this photograph contains that much humor unless you were me. The first time I saw it, I totally thought that the man was wearing wings, like angel wings. Look at it again... doesn't it look like those are angel wings?! It might have just been me but I laughed pretty hard when I realized that was a big fish on his back and not angel wings. It takes special people, okay?!
The best medicine
I love photographing people mid-laugh. There is something so genuine, comfortable and real about capturing people in the middle of a funny story or good times. Here are a few I've captured this past summer.
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Double-double-take
Now on for some other photographer's photos that made me make a double take. Oh, get ready!
Sascha Weidner
Grounded II, 2007.
C-Print, Diasec mount. 90 x 90 cm. Edition of 5
28 Aug - 31 Oct 2009
Galerie Zur Stockeregg
Stockerstr. 33
8022 Zürich
Switzerland
Stockerstr. 33
8022 Zürich
Switzerland
Woah, buddy. This photograph is intense. It makes me feel calm and uncomfortable because of the familiar, the eerie and the dissociation all at the same time. The reverse horizon line, the ambiguity of the models and the relaxed nature of their hands makes me stare. True art, if you ask me.
Sarah Pickering
Abduction, 2007.
Speaking of having a lot of information to deal with, this photo by Yi takes the cake. His photographs are based on dreams that he had about his hometown and the residents living under water before it was flooded. The light/water gleaming through is beautiful and the situation is so calming yet full in it's impending destruction.
Abduction, 2007.
C-Print, 120 x 96 cm, Courtesy the artist and Meessen De Clercq, Brussels
25 Sep - 17 Jan 2010
Manipulating Reality
Centro di Cultura Contemporanea Strozzina - CCCS
Piazza Strozzi
50123 Firenze
Italy
Piazza Strozzi
50123 Firenze
Italy
Within a show of 23 international artists, Pickering's work draws my attention and makes me want to dissect each element included in the photo. The show's title, Manipulating Reality, draws me in even more as I wonder how little or how much the photograph has been manipulated. That fire is extremely well captured in addition to the situation.
YANG YI
"Uprooted #12: Old Town of Kaixian, The Ring Road" (2007) C-Print. 100cm x 70cm, Edition of 12; 150cm x 105cm - Edition of 6. © YANG Yi. Courtesy of m97 Gallery.
5 Sep - 31 Oct 2009
m97 Gallery
97 Moganshan road, 2nd floor.
200060 Shanghai
China
97 Moganshan road, 2nd floor.
200060 Shanghai
China
Speaking of having a lot of information to deal with, this photo by Yi takes the cake. His photographs are based on dreams that he had about his hometown and the residents living under water before it was flooded. The light/water gleaming through is beautiful and the situation is so calming yet full in it's impending destruction.
Double-take
I love photographs that make me take a double-take. If I need to scan over a photograph a couple of times to try to soak up all of the information, all the better. Here are a few photographs that made me do just that.
© Jonah Wright
Let's call this one 'home improvement project gone bad.' The expression on her face, the theatre-looking lighting, oh, and the ceiling fan cradled in her arms... I just can't argue with all of that.
© Jonah Wright
Flying? Riding a hydrofoil bull? Gimmie-gimmie some of that stop-action! Talent and beauty in his sport make me happy.
© Jonah Wright
Between the dark of night, the fire and the folks watching it, this photograph is rich with information. I love the brightness, the darkness and the long exposure. It does my eyes good to soak it all in!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Different Kind of Love
By a different kind of love, I mean not in the 'food is love' sense from the last post that contained my images. There is a certain relationship that photographers have with those they are photographing and a different relationship that those being pictured have with each other (when there is more than one person in the photograph). I kept those relationships in mind as I chose the following exhibition photographs. Feel free to enjoy this dynamical relationship with me...
Sally Mann
Candy Cigarette
1989, gelatin silver print, 66 x 76 cm; courtesy Gagosian Gallery
The Family and The Land
26 September 2009 - 10 January 2010
Stadhouderslaan 43
2517 HV Den HaagNetherlands
Yes, you caught me. I'm so much of a Sally Mann junkie that I'm using her exhibitions two weeks in a row. But keep in mind that these are two different Mann exhibitions in two different parts of the world... not to mention my different intentions. Who knows, maybe I'll find yet another Sally Mann exhibition in a few weeks. Quick story: a coworker at my new job asked me a get-to-know-you question, wondering if I could hang out with anyone at all, who would it be. He looked at me all sorts of oddly when I replied 'Sally Mann' and explained who she is. I know, I know. And of course I had a little battle in my head as to whether I should have said Sally Mann or John Dugdale. In actuality, it's a big toss up because I *heart* John Dugdale and his work. If you don't know of him, I dare you to check out his website, his work and read his biography. He is worth the time, I promise! Woah, anyway, Sally Mann became very well known largely because of photographs of her children. Her kids are beautiful and always seem to have extremely visually striking expressions. This photograph, Candy Cigarette, is well known in her portfolio and is quite wonderful. The relationship between Sally as the photographer, her daughter facing the camera and her other daughter facing away from the camera is so rich in content!
Lydia Panas
Private Spaces
00-071 Warszawa
Uhhh... awkward? I love the tension in this photograph as well as the softness in the color. Panas photographed mostly family and friends in this series about the complex process of growing up and maturing. Mmmm, nothing like being able to cut the air with a knife. The relationship of these four individuals is interesting through their body language and facial expressions in addition to their relation with the photographer. It almost looks like they have that expression of "if you dare point that camera at me one more time..." I love (spectating) awkward tension. Brilliant!
Fazal Sheikh
Fehan Noor Ahmed and her daughter Rhesh, Somali refugee camp, Mandera, Kenya
5 Sep - 29 Nov 2009
Real Love
A couple months ago, I found myself out with some friends. We may have been imbibing. Enter: two sisters who lived with one another. A foodie conversation gone wrong led to one sister's emotions welling. It was quite the reminder to all of us that while one sister just thought of food only as the taste of food, food really means love. From those that take the time and energy to prepare the nourishment for us to being able to meet with friends to enjoy a meal, food clearly means love. I just got back from a friend's house a bit ago. The girl knows that she prepares a mean, tasty meal. Beyond the food itself, I clearly understand that she invites me over for meals because she loves me. Maybe it's true that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. If not just through my stomach, another way to my heart is through photography. I find myself click-click-clicking away, even as the camera rests on the table during lunch with friends. Here's a little bit of that food-time love to share with y'all...
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
© Jonah Wright
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