Wednesday This & That

Things to read & look at:

"Best Western" Vince Aletti's brief review of "Into the Sunset: Photography's Image of the American West" (@ MOMA through June 8, 2009) for The New Yorker.
The (catalog of the) exhibit is also worth a look and showcases work by Joel Sternfeld, Larry Sultan, Justine Kurland, Adam Bartos and others.

Philip Gefter's "Photography After Frank" published by Aperture.

Cara Philips essay for Lay Flat titled "The Secessionists Revisited: Artist Collectives in the Age of the Blog"

Amy Stein's blog post "Age Appropriate"?

Joerg Colberg's post "When does a shtick become a shtick?".
And Emily Shur's blog response/reflection "Shtick Shift".

And at last something simply magnificent to look at Arthur Meyerson's image "White Stallion, Mexico" which was PDN's Photo of the Day April 3, 2009.
And while we are on the topic of horses, some amazing images can be found in Tim Flach's monogram "Equus", which I acquired as used copy at the Strand today.

The above list very much reflects my current private discourse about curating, collaboration, itching for a visit out West, why I photograph horses, how to depict horses, getting older and how all of this fits together.

I'm Still Here

Lunch at Souen Organic Ramen © Eli Stein

I am still here, just busier than usual.
However on Sunday I took a short break to have lunch with my ivy-bound nephew (so proud of you E!) and the husband (after they finished their bass guitar shopping) at Souen's new noodle place.
Souen Organic Ramen is located at 326 East 6th Street and is quite good. We really enjoyed the food and the service was outstanding. The decor is pleasant too.

D. & I were so happy living on the cusp of Soho & Chinatown that we kept it extremely local. Now that we live "Uptown" I venture out a bit further and have re-discovered the East Village. I probably would not want to live there, but I like living close by. Visually it's great and I love all the small businesses and the many great restaurants.

Nymphoto Call for Submissions Extended

Nymphoto Presents @ Sasha Wolf- Group Show Call for Submissions deadline has been extended until Tuesday April 7, 2009 11:59 PM EST.

Find out more about the Call for Entries at www.nymphoto.com .

Kristen Ashburn: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE

from I AM BECAUSE WE ARE, photographs by Kristen Ashburn, published by powerHouse Books

Fellow NYU Alumni Kristen Ashburn's Book "I AM BECAUSE WE ARE" launches today. The book is a companion piece to the documentary film by the same title by Madonna & Nathan Rissman.
I have always admired Kristen's strength and dedication to her work. I have seen a press-preview of the book and it confirms what an outstanding photographer Kristen is. The book not only shows work commissioned for the film but also shows Kristen's previous efforts in documenting & raising awareness of the AIDS crisis in Africa.

You can find out more about the book (the exhibit & the movie & the cause) by visiting: www.powerhousebooks.com or www.iambecauseweare.com.