A busy gig
January Surprises and Exciting Projects
January is usually a quiet month in the art and framing industry. There might be a small bump in business due to some Christmas follow-up framing, but that trickles away pretty quickly.
This January was an exception. Several projects came in the door because of fiscal calendar years that started on January 1st. Another major Catholic Charities project was delivered, this time for a Centennial Leadership Summit in San Jose, CA. This was the largest venue so far (the 4th), and it will move across the United States every month until September, where hopefully it will exhibit at the White House. I love working on this project because it leverages the power of photography, and it is an absolute adrenaline rush to meet the tight deadlines. In this business, this is known as a 'good gig'.
We also had our first order from Turkmenistan, specifically Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. This is a former Soviet Union republic that declared independence in 1991. It was a nice-sized order of 10 large-format mounted images and one extremely large canvas print. There is a sense of satisfaction in knowing your handiwork is on the job in some remote part of the world.
On an unrelated note, Downtown Mainstreet agreed to co-sponsor a photography competition with Red Wing Framing & Fine Art Printing. It's always fun to have too much to do.
And finally, if nothing else, I learned a long time ago to surround myself with very smart people. Or at least stand close to them.
I am uber-excited about a new project that some very smart people I have come to know are advising me on. This is on a six-month timetable, so the details will roll out over time.
How to commit art murder, or, "I ruined a masterpiece, but saved on the framing"
A Close Call for a Marc Chagall Masterpiece
This is a tragic tale, but thank goodness a good samaritan rescued the art.
An original Marc Chagall lithograph had been donated to the local library. Many years ago, someone decided to frame this irreplaceable piece using the cheapest solution available. This included a low-quality MDF frame with standard glass and paper mats. To further insult the art, it was glued to the back of the mat.
Let's summarize how this art was nearly ruined:
The frame was made from a cheap MDF material that out-gasses formaldehyde, effectively dissolving the art over time.
The glass provided no UV protection, making fading inevitable.
The mat was a cheap paper mat with acids that leeched into the art, and foxing (bacteria) was growing on the paper.
The glue—oh, the glue. Don't even get me started on the glue.
A biological, chemical, and radioactive attack on the art—a true WMD from an art standpoint.
Friends don't let friends frame drunk.
Despite all this, the artwork itself is a stunning piece of creativity. Chagall, a Jewish Russian-French artist who lived from 1887 to 1985, was a giant in the art world and an early innovator of Modernism. His work is truly inspiring to examine.
We are now working on a new and completely archival frame design for this piece. I will post updates when the project is finished.
Ode to my Honda Element
Admittedly, it might seem odd to write a haiku to a vehicle, but I feel I owe it at least that, especially since I am about 2,000 miles behind my scheduled oil change.
The 2006 Honda Element has been a beast for me (in a good way). It is the perfect art transport vehicle. Once the rear seats are removed, there is almost 73 cubic feet of very rectangular space, which is perfect for hauling art upright. It is very dependable and practical. On the downside, it is a bit cold-blooded, and the passenger ride is somewhat upright.
So, in lieu of an oil change (maybe next week) and in the tradition of 5-7-5 haiku rhythm:
Ode to Element
A square can roll round
Even in winter
Happy New Year!
Next stop: The Newseum
The Newseum: Celebrating the First Amendment
The Newseum, an interactive museum of news and journalism in Washington D.C., is dedicated to educating the public about the value of a free press in a free society. The museum tells the stories of the world's significant events in unique and engaging ways. Located just off Pennsylvania Avenue near the U.S. Capitol, it occupies a high-profile spot in a high-profile city.
As part of our ongoing collaboration with the AmericanPoverty.org photojournalism exhibit, we produced several large (48”x72”) mounted prints for a reception at the Newseum later this week. The images needed to be substantial because the reception hall is spacious, and visual impact is crucial. This exhibit aims to create momentum for the AmericanPoverty.org campaign moving forward.
These images feature a beautiful platinum print finish. Platinum prints, sometimes called platinotypes, are one of the oldest photographic processing techniques, offering the greatest tonal range of any printing method using wet chemistry development. In the digital age, platinum prints are replicated on the computer, yet they do an excellent job of recreating the original look.
2010 promises to see an acceleration of activity with Catholic Charities and AmericanPoverty.org.
Hard Boiled Art exhibit
Hard Boiled Art: Original Pulp Magazine Cover Art Exhibit
Details have been finalized for our next original art exhibit. "Hard Boiled Art" presents original pulp magazine cover art from the 1930s to the 1960s. The exhibit will run from November 5th to December 6th, 2009, with a reception date still to be determined.
This is a unique art form. Pulp magazine covers were very sensational and were considered the most important aspect of the sales of any particular pulp series. The socially acceptable boundaries were often tested, and the topics reflected the popular culture of the time.
The covers were typically machismo in nature, with elements of evil or danger and at least one hero. The 1930s had strong detective and science-fiction followings, while the 1960s were all about the 'Red Scare' of the communists.
Regardless of the threat, the damsels in distress typically had a torn blouse. :)
Come and enjoy the exhibit. This is a rare opportunity to see the original art used to create the published covers. It's fun and an absolute snapshot of an industry that hardly exists any longer.
Why don't you take a picture? It will last longer.
Capturing Moments Before They Disappear
For the humor-deprived, the title might seem borderline inappropriate, but it's actually quite fitting.
Photographers have a duty to document the world as it is. Many iconic pieces of our existence are vanishing, and once they're gone, they're gone forever. A drive-in movie theater, for example, lasts only as long as the economics of local development allow. Once the land becomes more valuable for another purpose, adios drive-in movie theater.
Pay attention to everything and take nothing for granted. Don't tell yourself that you'll take a certain photo someday. Take it today.
AmericanPoverty.org
AmericanPoverty.org Exhibit Kicks Off at Catholic Charities USA Annual Conference
Last week, Catholic Charities USA kicked off their annual conference in Portland, Oregon, with the large format photojournalism exhibit produced by the In Our Own Backyard photojournalism team. Entitled AmericanPoverty.org, this exhibit aims to raise awareness of people living in poverty in the United States. Catholic Charities has set an ambitious goal to reduce poverty in the United States by 50 percent by the year 2020. They understand that the only way to meet such an aggressive goal is to set the bar very high.
In Our Own Backyard is a team of skilled and seasoned photojournalists who have witnessed firsthand the struggles of extreme poverty in the United States. This team includes talented photojournalists such as Steve Liss, Jon Lowenstein, Brenda Ann Kenneally, and Eli Reed. They have crisscrossed the United States, capturing exactly what it means to be poor.
It has been a delight to be involved in this project. The deadlines were tight, and God bless overnight delivery. There are at least six more cities that will be hosting this exhibit over the next year, so we look forward to future involvement. Learn more about this large format photojournalism project at AmericanPoverty.org.