Off Photography. Curated by Jon Feinstein

Photos by Amy Elkins, Matthew Schenning, Brea Souders, Chad States, Alejandra Laviada and David Shoerner. 


The past few years have seen greater attention to self-referential or "process oriented" photography that blurs the distinction between "photo-based" work and other media. From the MOMA's annual "New Photography" exhibition, to Art News' March, 2011 feature on "The New Photography" much of the photographic community is reexamining its original struggle to distinguish its place in the larger art world. With that in mind, I've placed these images with attention to their reference to traditions in painting, sculpture, art history and other media outside the literal scope of photography.



Amy Elkins: Elegant Violence

Arturo (Flyhalf), New Haven, CT, 2010

Dillon (Open Side Flanker), Princeton, NJ. 2010


Matthew Schenning: Wallrides






Brea Souders: New Work

Colors of Napoleon, 2010

Madame Marcotte and I, 2010

Burnt Sienna Universe


Chad States

John S

Lou


Rich

Alejandra Laviada



Totem, 2011

Color Blind Rainbow, 2008

Red Totem, 2011

David Shoerner: After Betty



Linda (After Gerhard Richter, Betty, 1988), 2009

Martynka (After Gerhard Richter, Betty, 1988) , 2009

Sherri (After Gerhard Richter, Betty, 1988) , 2009   

Holidays N Da Hood-2011 - Photography series and curated by © Ruben Natal-San Miguel



''Holidays N Da Hood''
I wanted to explore how some most inner city areas of NYC mostly, Upper Manhattan were celebrating the holidays during the hard economic times we are facing today. From a extensive search of a Black Santa who led me to Brooklyn, to the Mexican Immigrants in East Harlem celebrating the Holiday ''Posadas'', to the building lit up fire escapes, the traditional brownstones, to the most humble apt, homes, buildings businesses and housing projects entryways, ''Holidays N Da Hood '' series intents to highlight how endearing, rich, full of tradition, the sense of community, family and love still prevails no matter how hard the economic situation might be.People flock from all over the world every year to places such like The Rockefeller Center and, I think that the beauty here it is so much more heartfelt and symbolic!

It seems like most of the habitats of these communities had hit of of every single 99 cent store and similar businesses in the city to decorate, beautify and temporary enhance such a harsh environment and living conditions . To me the final effect is beyond words. It is a very low budget enterprise and operation but, with striking , highly creative, at times humorous but at the end with greatly visual impact results. Every single of most housing projects entrance in most NYC areas is decorated with a different flavor and at times a very strong message about peace , love, hope and happiness.

In overall, I found a colorful, cheerful spirit, live music, parties, welcoming and very strong souls. This is just another great example of New Yorkers who possess such a strong sense of vitality, strength, individuality, creativity and a sense of self expression for which are  legendary wordwide known for . Talk about making lemonade out of lemons ...with a smile.

Happy Holidays!

Ruben Natal- San Miguel

Picture Black Friday

Picture Black Friday | Window Shopping
Don't be a Grinch.

Group show of selected images from past PBF submissions

Begin viewing video and please expand and enjoy the music.



Christmastime is here and it begins earlier and earlier every year. Marked by BLACK FRIDAY, a day of unbridled sales to feed the consumer, the true tinge of the seasons will be piped in like a noxious gas onto our everyday psyche, and we will love it or hate it, but accept it as an American Way and rite of passage into our holidays.


The mission of Picture Black Friday is to give photographers an opportunity to document with their lens this day on their own terms - an open assignment if you will. I was given that same opportunity by founder John Saponara and Photo Gallerino founder Ruben Natal-San Miguel to curate the first PBF exhibition online and at a gallery space - on my own terms.


So with the same excitement, joy and sincere glee, I have created a short video with images from past PBF participants and have added music to accompany my selections. In addition, I've added a few video clips of some of my favorite holiday songs and/or movies. My point is to find the joy in these images. To present to the viewer the anticipation, thrill and heartbreak one feels around this time of year. In essence holidays can be a big let down because of the human condition to consume. This year as we face harsh economic downturns, with little solutions on the horizon, we still have family, friends and community. It is around these sentiments that I look away from the cynical views and try to find some triumph of the human spirit.


You see, to be fair, I LOVE Christmas and I have been one of these people in the photographs - camping in line before the sun is up or waging war with other drivers trying to park at the mall. I have also been the sales clerk, up before the sun, preparing myself and my staff for the longest and most cruel day of the year in retail. Funny, but most everything I learned was taught to me working behind the cash wrap at the GAP on BLACK FRIDAY. In the end, we all want to be part of something and make our loved ones happy. Purchases and gifts will never truly satiate what we are really after, but just like a character out of a holiday movie, we hope our heart grows 3x that day or it will end with a glorious sing-a-long.


I will admit to having fallen out of love with window shopping and I don't go out on BLACK FRIDAY. I have found shopping online during CyberMonday to be more my style. To me though, Thanksgiving Day and the days there after, signal more times with friends, family and a longing to see the world as a community that shares in the meaning of Christmas - on its own terms.


Picture Black Friday, Window Shopping - Don't Be A Grinch is a bittersweet homage to BLACK FRIDAY. And like Will Ferrel's character in the movie Elf, I can't wait for Santa to arrive!

Christmas Cuts:

ELF


Charlie Brown Christmas


Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas





Picture Black Friday | Window Shopping
November 18-22, 2011, Opening Reception, Friday, November 18, 2011, 7-9pm
547 West 27th Street, 6th Floor, Room 628, Chelsea, NYC 10001
For submissions and more information, please visit: www.pictureblackfriday.org

IN THE WATER I AM BEAUTIFUL

 ONLINE ONLY here at Photo Gallerino opens October 4


While peering into an alternate universe, such as Kim Keever has created using a 200 gallon glass tank filled with water, it's easy to get lost in the hidden chasms of his landscapes. Bruce Checefsky's flower scans embed themselves so naturally inside Kim's photographs you would think their works are a collaborative effort. Traversing from the macro to the micro and then back again, these artists work in non-traditional photography. Keever's process begins with the tank while bursts of paint languorously form into clouds filling crevasses of miniature flora and fauna. If you zoom in even closer you can imagine Checefsky's garden full of luscious color and sublime movement created by a scanner mounted to a tripod, sometimes catching a petal moving it at will. When your eyes wander through the landscape, simultaneously stopping where the flowers are nestled, it's as if this world does exist somewhere and how special that place would be.

-Savannah Spirit

2001-2011: A Decade of Photography in the Aftermath of 9/11 Exhibition

Curator Statement:

I always had a very strong relationship and life history with the World Trade Center. It goes back from my early teens when, I first visited NYC for its very first time. I was so inspired by the design and the structure that, decided that same day that  wanted to become an Architect and, I did so. 

A few years later , I ended up relocating to NYC to continue my Architectural studies and my very first summer job was as a bicycle messenger was at the World Trade Center. While in college went to a national Architectural convention and its reception was at Windows of the World. Never forget that evening, felt like on top of the world. 

In late 2000, started working as a Financial Controller just barely 2 blocks away from WTC. Then it happened.

My life changed, everything became and off the moment and a highly visual experience. I was already collecting photography and felt the need to do more. I started photographing and documenting areas and people in NYC that had been ignored by most. Photography became my life, my healing, my addiction and my savior. 

10 years later , I am standing here with work on the walls , published editorial photographs and articles, talks about photography,great collaborations and business development for artists, galleries and organizations. I wanted to have a true purpose in life and be able to give and provide to others. 

Now instead of doing messenger delivery service on a bicycle for the WTC, I do find my photography by riding my bicycle with the WTC always in my mind as a true inspiration.

Today , I stand tall and proud as an American and New Yorker like the WTC once stood and will like to celebrate life and photography with you all.
This is a selection of photographic images and its derivatives from the last decade to demonstrate and commemorate the 10-year anniversary and showcase how photography, as an art medium and derivative works, have changed the face of America and the World.
It is a demonstration of how our life, a worldly vision manifested through the use of the photographer’s lens and accompanied by all the technological advances, has evolved since right after 9/11 until today. It will reflect the new sensibilities in this art medium, created by the war, the economy and the advances in the technological landscapes.

Many thanks to all the artists willing to participate, to Raymond Adams for all his efforts helping me put this presentation together, My art dealers Elizabeth Barragan and Kathleen  Mahoney - Cobb of Finch and Ada for their support, to the Greenwich Music House for housing this event and to the sponsors, Heineken, ADORAMA and Wink Initiative .

I like to dedicate this presentation to the victims, the families and the survivors of the 2001 September 11 attacks, The City of NY and to you.

This from my heart to you.



A Decade of Photography in the Aftermath of 9/11 from Raymond Adams on Vimeo.
For better viewing please hit full screen.

Welcome To Photo Gallerino!

Señorita's Roach Killers 2011, East Harlem, NYC
Ruben Natal-San Miguel


Welcome to Photo Gallerino!, the new brainchild of Ruben Natal-San Miguel, an Architect, Photographer, Curator and Editor in Chief of ARTmosfierce Art Blog. 


With this new World Wide Web generated Gallery you will experience virtual photography shows curated by Ruben Natal- San Miguel and various exclusively selected guest curators that are re-defining the constant and vibrant new world of today's Photography.

About Me

Manhattan, New York City, NY, United States

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