Review over at Dodge & Burn

Selina Roman over at the blog Dodge & Burn wrote a review about photo MIAMI 2009 which features Light Work and former Light Work Artist-in-Residence Carrie Mae Weems. Click here to see the review as well as other recent posts including interviews with Neelakshi Vidyalankara and María Fernanda Hubeaut.

Light Work Collection grows

This week 2009 Artist-in-Residence Yolanda del Amo sent us a gorgeous digital c-print of her image Winfried, Brigitte, 2006, for the Light Work Collection, which currently contains almost 3,500 pieces. The collection is comprised mainly of gifts, such as del Amo’s, from the hundreds of artists who have spent time at Light Work since we began our residency program in 1976. The collection also features the archive of Rita Hammond’s work, which was donated upon her death in 1999.

You can view each piece in our collection online. Each image is accompanied by detailed information about the photograph and the artist who made it. The My Favorites feature of the online database is a wonderful tool for teachers and students. This feature allows you to group images together onscreen, making is a fun and effective way to learn about curating. Researching in our online collection is free, and you can access it 24 hours a day. Check it out and curate a show of your own.

Welcome Priya Kambli

Our December Artist-in-Residence, Priya Kambli, has arrived just in time for the first major snowfall of the year in Syracuse. Good thing that Priya plans on spending most of her time indoors at Community Darkrooms making multiple editions of prints from her series Color Falls Down.

The series takes its name from a popular Hindi movie song, which speaks to the artist’s ultimate goal with the work: to bring together her roots in India with her life in America. Priya uses digital collage to combine the different cultures, generations, and identities that inform her life and work.

At right, the photographer keeps close tabs on various iterations of proofs as she works with Digital Lab Manager John Mannion to perfect her prints. Today the first full-scale print rolled off the 9900 in the new digital service area, with many more to come soon.

Miss Florida, art lover, at photo MIAMI

Miss Florida Rachael Todd dropped in at the Light Work booth at photo MIAMI. A collector, who had just purchased the Hank Willis Thomas platinum print Branded Chest, asked Rachel to pose with the print, and she obliged.

Call Light Work to check the availability of Branded Chest for your collection. We only have a handful left of this beautiful print.

Light Work at photo MIAMI 2009

We’re pleased to post this week from photo MIAMI, which features 25 exhibitors from around the world, from Syracuse to Beijing. Things got off to a strong start with a bustling press and VIP preview this evening. Hundreds attended the six-hour preview, with most of those folks making their way through the Light Work booth.

We have prints on sale from our 2009 Subscription Program, including images by Elijah Gowin, Doug DuBois, Stanley Greenberg, and Suzanne Opton, as well as a host of other images from our Fine Print Program and Master Editions. Also attracting considerable attention at our booth were the signed books Maggie, …all the days and nights, Pitch Blackness, and On the Sixth Day.

Among those who stopped by to say hello at our booth was former Light Work Artist-in-Residence Peggy Nolan, who lives in the area. A blogger from Dodge and Burn dropped in to interview us about Light Work’s residency program, exhibitions, and Contact Sheet.

photo MIAMI opens to the public tomorrow at 11am when we’ll have more news.

Two days with the experts at Light Work

Last Thursday and Friday, Light Work hosted a widely anticipated Professional Practices seminar with photographic consultant Mary Virginia Swanson and internationally recognized artist Susan kae Grant. The Thursday night lecture featured two parts. First, Swanson delivered (in her well-known rapid fire style) a taste of the latest and best ideas in getting work out into the market and in front of the right eyes. Then Grant and Swanson spoke about the many phases of Grant’s project Night Journey. Rarely do viewers get such a detailed look at an artist’s process, and it is especially rare to hear the whole story of such a complex project as Night Journey, which Grant has been developing over the past decade. Together Swanson and Grant flooded the room with 1,000 ideas for making and marketing photography creatively.
On Friday morning, Swanson and Grant met with Syracuse University students starting with a lecture geared to making the most of a photographic education. Following, Swanson and Grant held portfolio reviews. It was the students’ chance to show the experts how well they had listened to their advice on making the most of a 20-minute portfolio review.

Above, right: Susan kae Grant, installation view of Night Journey
Left: Mary Virginia Swanson meets with Syracuse University graduate student Shimpei Shirafuji

Deana Lawson is today's Flak Photo

Andy Adams over at Flak Photo has chosen Sharon, 2007, by Deana Lawson, as today’s featured image. It couldn’t be better timing – the reception for Deana Lawson: Corporeal is tonight at Light Work from 5-8pm.

Flak Photo has a reputation as one of the best places online to enjoy exciting new photography. The site connects international audiences to online art experiences and promotes the discovery of photographers from around the world. Produced by Andy Adams, Flak Photo provides unique opportunities for artists and photo organizations to share new work, book projects, gallery exhibitions, and event updates with a global photography audience.

Check out Flak Photo’s daily updates, and definitely stop by the Corporeal reception tonight if you’re in the area.

Roy DeCarava, 1919-2009

Roy DeCarava died on October 27, 2009, at the age of 89. During his long career he photographed Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, and other jazz greats. He was, as well, a master at capturing beauty and grace in everyday life. The obituary in The New York Times said, “His books, like ‘The Sweet Flypaper of Life,’ a best-selling 1955 collaboration with Langston Hughes, and his most famous photographs were hugely influential, paving the way for younger photographers like Beuford Smith and Carrie Mae Weems.”

Apply for a Light Work Residency

Starting in 1976, Light Work has built a reputation for having one of the most beneficial and productive residencies in the art world. Some very familiar names have passed through our four-week residency program, including Carrie Mae Weems, Cindy Sherman, and Andres Serrano. Our residents count among today’s most driven and talented artists.

Residents receive a $4,000 stipend, ample staff support, 24-hour access to our state-of-the-art facility, and a free apartment for the duration of the residency. We also offer a $500 printing credit in our digital lab to encourage experimentation. Yes, it’s that kind of place.

Applying for a residency is easy and straightforward. We have a rolling deadline, so please submit your application as soon as you feel you’re ready.

At right, Dean Kessmann, 2009 Light Work Artist-in-Residence.

Polaroid One-Step set for a comeback in 2010

This may be proof that miracles really can happen. The Summit Global Group, which bought the licensing to the Polaroid brand two years ago, announced last week that it will revive manufacture of the very popular Polaroid One-Step camera. They plan to resurrect the film version of the camera, and, for those who prefer a bit of the new-fangled with their nostalgia, also to produce a digital version.

But what’s a Polaroid camera without a bit of film to shake? The folks at The Impossible Project have been brought on to produce a limited edition of Polaroid branded instant films.

Both the camera and film have a projected release date of mid-2010, much to the delight of Polaroid shooters everywhere.