10/28/10 Thursday

In Dog We Trust

Stories of dogs and cats and other animals that live in our homes. Exactly how much are they caught up in everyday family dynamics? We answer this question and others.

Prologue.

Heather and her girlfriend lived with a cat named Sid. The girlfriend showed all sorts of affection toward Sid that she never showed toward Heather. And at some point, against her better judgment, Heather started to become jealous.

Act One. The Youth In Asia.

When a pet dies, to what degree can it be replaced by another? And to what degree can pets replace people in our lives? David Sedaris tells this story of cats and dogs and other animals.


Song: "A Dog Is a Man's Best Friend"

Act Two. If Cats Ran Hollywood.

What do cats want to see on television? Steve Malarky, creator of the world's best-selling home video for cats, tells all.

And—in the interest of equal time—a cashier who works at a chain store that sells pet products rants about the absurdity of the items she's ringing up every day: St. John's Wort for dogs, CDs for pets, spinach-flavored bones.


Song: "Serenade to a Poodle", Slim Gaillard

Act Three. Resurrection.

Writer Brady Udall with another story about what animals can take the place of, in our lives and in our homes—this one involving an armadillo.

This work of fiction originally appeared in the Autumn 1999 issue of Story magazine.

Song: "Gonna Buy Me a Dog", The Monkees

Sedaris, David. Me Talk Pretty One Day. Back Bay Books. New York, 2000.

"Due to their size, Great Danes generally don't live very long. There are cheeses with a longer shelf life. At the age of 12, gray bearded and teetering. Melina was a wonder of science. My father massaged her arthritic legs, carried her up the stairs, and lifted her in and out of bed. He treated her the way that men in movies treat their ailing wives, the way he might have treated my mother had she allowed such naked displays of helplessness and affection. Melina's era spanned the final dozen years of his married life. The dog had ridden in the family's last station wagon, attended my father's retirement party, and celebrated the elections of two Republican presidents. She grew weaker and lost her appetite, but against all advice, my father simply could not bear to let her go. The youth in Asia begged him to end her life. 'I can't,' he said. 'This is too hard for me.'"

10/25/10 Monday

Fawn Dreams

Noel With An Osprey

Golden Eagle in the Medroom

Cottontail Going to Heaven

Annie Marie Musselman

http://www.anniemusselman.com/

She may be sentimental/romantic/idealistic in her approach and intent. But I love that about her. Her work is sensitive, personal, honest and genuine. The art world isn't big on her style and attitude I don't think. Its refreshing to see work that isn't sarcastic, cynical, domineering or pessimistic.

Bio:
Annie Marie was born south of Seattle in a quiet town surrounded by deep forests and cold water. As a child, she trailed behind her father as he captured the landscape in sumo inks and watercolors.

She majored in studio art at a small Midwestern college, and spent a year studying photography in Marseilles, France.

Her first personal project, Finding Trust, started 6 years ago at a wildlife sanctuary near Seattle. It has been featured in several magazines and exhibitions, “I strive to confront the destructive side of human impact on the survival of all wild creatures.”

Currently she is working on a project photographing animals in specific sanctuaries around the world to raise awareness of the fragility and beauty of endangered/indicator species – animals which if saved, would save countless other species as well.

Annie’s work can be seen in American Photography 25, Outside, National Geographic Adventure, Harper Collins, Elle, Travel + Leisure, The New York Times and Newsweek among others. Her work is currently in the Changing Earth exhibition at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Nappa Valley, CA.

Awards:

2010 Getty Grant For Good, Recipient
4Culture Grant, Recipient
PDN Photo Annual, For The Innocent
Art Wolfe Environmental Photography Invitational 2nd Place

2009 American Photography 25, 5 selected images
Hey Hot Shot honorable mention, Jen Bekman Gallery NYC
PDN Photo of the Day

2008 PDN Exposures "Annie and the Wild Animals"
Blue Earth Alliance Project Photographer Award
Lost at E Minor, Interview

2007 PDN Photo Annual, Personal Projects
Environmental Photography Invitational, First Place
4 Culture Individual Artist Grant

2006 American Photography 22, 4 selected images
Print Sponsorship program, Photographic Center NW

Solo Exhibitions:

2009 Finding Trust, The Sarvey Wildlife Project, Alice Austin House, NYC
2006 Finding Trust, The Sarvey Wildlife Project, Seattle Public Library, Seattle, WA

Selected Exhibitions:

2010 Environmental Photography Invitational, The Burke Museum, Seattle
2009 Changing Earth, Ansel Adams Gallery/Mumm Napa Gallery, Napa Valley CA
2008 Bird Studies, The Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
Kibale Wood Project, Uganda, Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA
My Dad and Me, Working Together, GinoMai Studio, Seattle, WA
2007 A Delicate Balance, The Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
2006 Environmental Photography Invitational, Art Wolfe Gallery, Seattle, WA
2001 Beneath the Surface, The Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
2000 Life of the City, Museum of Modern Art, NYC

Lectures:

2010 Lecture: Finding Trust, My Discoveries at a small wildlife sanctuary, The Frye Art Museum, Seattle, WA

Statement:

"The work I produce documents the delicate union that exists between humans and animals. The series Finding Trust documents the infirmed animals’ recovery at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center in the Cascade Mountains near Seattle with a sense of wonder as they heal, hoping to return to the wild forests of the Northwest."

"Looking for truth after my mother passed away in 2002 I found the Sarvey Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Located in the foothills of the beautiful Cascade mountains, it's a place where injured, wild creatures come to finish their journeys or start new ones, where I've seen love, trust and intuition that equals that of a mother and child, a home where a few humans have come together to save the lives of many precious creatures."

She was recently published in Marie Claire China, National Geographic, and Outside Magazine...
http://www.anniemusselman.com/index.php?/blog/

http://photolucidapdx.blogspot.com/2010/08/and-finalists-are.html

Donkey Basketball

Yes, this is a real thing. How it got started? I have no idea. But my guess is alcohol was originally involved. Nothing surprises me anymore.







I can see why this is illegal in some states...

Pet Costumes

Pet Costumes

10/21/10 Thursday

Stories about the animalness of animals, the irreducible ways in which they are not human.

Samantha Martin trains raccoons to play basketball and rats to bowl. She says that what we want from animals is for them to imitate humans. (5 minutes)

Act One. Food Chain In A New York Apartment.

Paul Tough visits Catherine Chalmers. She raises small animals and insects in her apartment, feeds them to each other, and photographs them eating each other. (20 minutes)

Song: "Insect Collector", Shonen Knife

Act Two. More Animals Eating Other Animals.

An original radio drama called "Kathleen on the Carpet," in which animals talk and hold their own "animal court." It's a comedy by David Sedaris, starring our own radio theater company, the Pinetree Gang. (14 minutes)

Song: "Rocky Raccoon", Lena Horne

Act Three. The Moment Humans Stopped Being Animals.

Anthropologists agree that humans stopped being animals when they started walking upright, on two legs. But scientists don't agree on why our ancestors did this. Ten years ago, Scott Carrier decided to do his own research on the subject. Scott is the author of Running After Antelope. (13 minutes)

Song: "I Wanna Be Like You", Disney's The Jungle Book

Carrier, Scott. Running After Antelope. Washington, D.C. Counterpoint, 2001.

Chalmers, Catherine. Food Chain: Encounters Between Between Mates, Predators and Prey. Aperture. 2000.

Interesting comments by Alec Soth and David Hilliard

Michael Werner:

In your opinion and experience, how can emerging photographers evaluate themselves as ready to start promoting their works and seek broader exposure for their photographs? What is one vital action you would recommend photographers undertake to find their audience, be included in exhibitions, and gain professional representation?


Alec Soth:

What I like about this question is that you acknowledge that emerging photographers often aren’t ready to start promoting themselves. I find it aggravating that so many young photographers busy themselves with self-promotion when they should just be taking pictures. Let’s use the analogy of the young novelist. When you are writing your first novel, you don’t try to get it published based on a single chapter. First you need to write the book. Too many photographers are shopping for galleries and publishers with unfinished portfolios.

It is a long process getting the first project together. And it often leads to failure. Not only does the novelist need to finish the first book, she might need to write two or three before she hits the target. But here is the thing – when the work is good, you will know it. And when you believe in the work, you can promote it. In the end, good work will find an audience.

Michael Werner:

How did it come about that you achieved the status of successful, professional photographer? What steps were involved in reaching your level of success?


David Hilliard:

Work, lots of energy and a blind faith that what I was making mattered not only to myself but to others as well. I knew that I had to get the work out there. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do; make my imagery and make a living doing it. I worked, and continue to work very hard. I make, I fail, I make, I succeed. It’s a kind of battle. But through it all I’m learning and finding inspiration. And I might also suggest building a large skill set. Make fine art, commercial art, editorial art, teach, assist, etc, etc. Do it all. It keeps you going and in the end I truly believe that it can inform aspects of your work.

Monday 10/18/10

Tema Stauffer

I like the Dog Show series for its access into a secret, private society. It allows us entry into a world behind closed doors. It reminds me a lot of the movie, Best In Show.



Bio:

Tema Stauffer was born in 1973 and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She currently lives in Brooklyn and teaches at The School of the International Center of Photography and William Paterson University. Her work is represented by Daniel Cooney Fine Art Gallery in New York City.

Tema graduated from Oberlin College in 1995 and received a Master's Degree in Photography from The University of Illinois at Chicago in 1998. She received CAAP grants for projects in 1999 and 2000 and also contributed a series of photographs shot on ride-alongs with police officers to the CITY2000, an archive of photographs examining the city of Chicago in the year 2000.

In 2001, Tema moved to Minneapolis. She collaborated on projects with a minimalist music ensemble called Smattering, including a fusion of digital photography, drawing, and sound at the Cowles Conservatory of The Walker Art Center in July 2002. A large body of her work was shown in an exhibition with The Minnesota Center for Photography at The Katherine E. Nash Gallery at The University of Minnesota, and in a solo exhibition at The Rochester Art Center in 2004.

She has participated in seven group shows at Jen Bekman Gallery and her solo show, “American Stills”, opened in October 2004. Fifteen images from this body of work were selected by The Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College in Chicago for the Midwest Photographers Project. Her work has also been exhibited at Fotofest 2010 Biennial in Houston, The Chicago Cultural Center, The Terra Museum of American Art, The Musee Departmental d' Art Contemporain de Rouchechourt, The Hyde Park Art Center, The Detroit Contemporary, The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, The 3rd Ward Brooklyn, Tyler School of Art, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Adrian College Gallery, Central Lakes College Gallery, The Joymore Gallery, The Butcher Shop Gallery, The Gallery 400, The Icebox Gallery, Heaven Gallery, David Allen Gallery, Jon Oulman Gallery, The Lyceum Theatre Gallery, Dean Jenson Gallery, Moti Hasson Gallery, Randall Scott Gallery and Sasha Wolf Gallery.

Tema has shot for The Chicago Reader, The City Pages, The Rake Magazine, Lavender Magazine, The Village Voice, and W Magazine. She has contributed to online publications including Ausgang, A Field Guide to the North American Family and Humble Arts Foundation’s Group Show. Tema was a finalist for the McKnight Photography Fellowship in 2005 and was nominated for the KLM Paul Huf Award in 2008. She is also currently a curator for Culturehall, an online resource for contemporary art.

Solo Exhibitions:

Tyler School of Art, Elkins Hall Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, Selected Works, 2008
Jen Bekman Gallery, New York, NY, American Stills, 2004
AvroKO/PUBLIC Gallery, New York, New York, Photo installation in project space, 2004
Minnesota Center for Photography at The Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Un. of MN, Minneapolis, MN, Heart Land, 2004
Minnesota Center for Photography at Jon Oulman Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, Dog Show, 2004
The Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN, American Stills, Emerging Artist Series, 2004
Central Lakes College Gallery, Brainerd, MN, Seven Scenes, 2004

Group Exhibitions:

Randall Scott Gallery, Washington D.C., 8: Eight Photographers, 2008
Dean Jenson Gallery, Milwaukee, WI, Big, Big Bangs/ Small, Small Bucks, 2008
Jen Bekman Gallery, New York, NY
* The Girl’s Room: By The Drier Project, 2006
* Meditations in an Emergency, 2006
* Best Midwestern: Photography from the Heartland, 2004
* The Pin-up Show, 2004
* Home (for the Holidays), 2004
* 8.5 x 11: Perspectives on the Everyday, 2003
* Inaugural Exhibition, 2003
The School of the International Center of Photography, New York, NY
Faculty Exhibition: About This, 2007, Faculty Exhibition, 2006
G2 Gallery of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, You’re in my space, 2007
Moti Hasson Gallery, New York, NY, HIV Law Project Benefit Exhibition, 2007 and 2008
Lyceum Theatre Gallery, San Diego, CA, The Art of Photography Show, 2007
Gallery at 3rd Ward, Brooklyn, NY, Strange Instrument, 2006
David Allen Gallery, New York, NY, Nymphoto: Filtered, 2004
Heaven Gallery, Chicago, IL, A Great Midwestern, 2004
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL Exhibition of American Art: People In Motion, 2004
Icebox Gallery Minneapolis, MN, SKIN 2003, 2003
Warren St. Loft, New York, NY, Nymphoto: Women’s Collective Art Show, 2002
Cowles Conservatory, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
Collaboration of digital photographic imagery, drawing and sound with visual artist, David Hamlow, and minimalist music ensemble, Smattering, 2003
Midwest Warehouse, Minneapolis, MN, Warehouse: A Decade of work/Work, 2002
Chicago-Ashland Space, Chicago, IL, Curious Terrors, 2002
Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL, You Are Here: Chicago in the year 2000, (City 2000), 2000
Joymore Gallery, Chicago, IL, Heavy Petting, 2000
The Butcher Shop Gallery, Chicago, IL, On the Prowl, 2000
Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, IL, Homegrown: annual exhibition of faculty and student artwork, 1999, 2000, 2005-2007
Musee Departemental d’ Art Contemporain de Rouchechoart, France, Propositions II, 1998
Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago, IL, 1998: New Artists in Chicago: exhibition of 39 selected Chicago-area graduate students, 1998
Gallery 400, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, MFA exhibition of 23 color photographs, 1998

Grants, Awards, Collections:

Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago, IL, Midwest Photographers Project, fifteen images selected for project in 2005
McKnight Photography Fellowship, MN, Finalist, 2005
Minnesota Museum of American Art, Myron James Czarniecki III Photography Collection
The Comer Archive of Chicago in the Year 2000, Chicago, IL
Documentary photographer for photographic archive of Chicago in the year 2000 – photographed scenes from ride-alongs with Chicago police officers, 2000
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, Honorable Mention, “Exhibition of American Art: People in Motion”, 2004
Department of Cultural Affairs, Chicago, IL, CAAP grants for Dog Show Photography Project, 1999 and 2000
The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, The Robert Stiegler Award – annual scholarship given to a graduate student in photography, 1998
San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA, Second Prize Winner of the national 1997 Visions of Excellence Photography Contest
Battle Creek Art Museum, Battle Creek, MI, People’s Choice Award, “Focus ‘94”, 1994

Education:

University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL Master of Fine Arts in Photography, 1998
Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH Bachelor of Arts, May 1995
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL Color photography, film and advanced independent study in photography, winter semester, 1994



Mexican Hairless 1998


Breeder 1998


Black Poodle 1998


Dog Art 1999

Interview:
http://2waylens.blogspot.com/2010/02/tema-stauffer.html

Gallery:
http://www.danielcooneyfineart.com/stauffer_photography.html

Website:
http://www.temastauffer.com/