But cheer up.... Unicorns live free and happy once again!

The Broken Dream

After looking around the Severed Unicorn Head Superstore site from the sticker on the sign in Leigh's post, I found this sad but beautiful image. And as the semester is coming to an end, and we're all crying because we wish it would go on longer, I thought I would just bring us down even more.

more public unicorn commentary

found this on my way home from the co-op...

Larry Sultan Dies At 63

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/arts/14sultan.html

ARTS

Larry Sultan, California Photographer, Dies at 63

By RANDY KENNEDY

Published: December 14, 2009

Mr. Sultan was a highly influential California photographer whose 1977 collaboration, “Evidence” became a watershed in the history of art photography.

revenge and chocolate bunny

Revenge from Lernert & Sander on Vimeo.

Chocolate Bunny from Lernert & Sander on Vimeo.

Lisa Kellner

Lisa Kellner

http://www.lisakellner.com/home

This is an interesting artist showing now at UICA's gallery in Grand Rapids. It is not photography but I find it very inspiring with all of the pins and sculptural shapes attached directly to the wall. UICA is a great gallery. If you ever are in GR, you should stop by.

Mama says look at these photos

 http://www.nadavkander.com/

MetroTimes Photographer Self-Portraits

The current issue of MetroTimes (Dec 2-Dec 8) includes a feature on local photographers who were asked to contribute self-portraits. Some fun creative choices. Here's one I liked (by Joe Gall):













If you can't find the print version, see it online here.

If you wish for good advice...

Jeremy Geddes

Jeremy Geddes

Painting and prints.

I heart Fancesca Woodman

Butterfly Installation

I saw this awhile ago and it was one of the inspirations for the butterfly display case. Thought I would share it. Scroll down and watch the video. The butterflies are magnetized to make them move. No I am not "eventually planning on" making my butterflies move! Butterfly Installation.

100 eyes magazine

100 eyes magazine site

Click on the virtual magazine when you enter the site. Flip the pages just like a paper copy. This is a great publication.

find the hidden photographer. no photoshop, no camera tricks just paint. see more awesome pictures like this one at http://v1kram.posterous.com/liu-bolinthe-invisible-man

Ovation TV photography programs

Well, it is almost over, but if you get Ovation TV in your cable/DirectTV package, you can catch the final night of FRAMED, Ovation's week of photography-themed programing. The network apparently has been running specials on David LaChapelle, Sally Mann, and Cindy Sherman, as well as a variety of photo shows.

Tonight there's supposed to be the complete run of "Picture This," a photography-competition reality show (kind of like "Top Chef," but with cameras???). See the program listing here.

10 must see art documentaries

http://www.artdesignschools.com/careers/ten-must-see-art-documentaries/

Live from Jerusalem

Hey everybody, I made (barely) it to Israel safely! We had our flight delayed out of Detroit, which led to a close call that forced us to sprint across the Philly airport with all of our baggage. Jenna, the person whose project this is, will be updating this (http://jenjeru.wordpress.com/) blog with pictures, video, and experiences that we have over the next week. With that, there are some interviews that she has done, research, and overall insight into her project, which is an exploration of the implications of religious upbringing both on one’s sense of self identity and identity within a community. If this particular subject interests you, she would love to hear comments, feedback, etc!

See you guys on Thursday! Have a good break!

For Danny..maybe

http://www.katekirkwood.com/

for her it is cows, not corn..but something about this made me think of Danny's work.

Also for Alan

My friend Austin from Oxford has been working on a project about the housing crisis in Michigan that got him on NPR. He incorporates a quick interview with the people he photographs and he's been shooting it all on 4x5. Some of his work can be seen on his portfolio here.

Nikon vs. Canon

http://bit.ly/5rbvSM 

Artist Stacey Arezou Mehrfar

http://stacymehrfar.com/#/one/american%20palimpsests/1

A gift for Alan.

These seem appropriate to look at...

Rita Maas

Signs

Worth a watch? I think so.

Teen Photography Contest entries

We had a photo contest for teens at my library this Fall. I put the entires on our Flickr page. So if you're wondering what the kids are into these days, take a look here.
We let our Teen Advisory Committee pick the winners, and I think some of the winners were not necessarily the best pics, but oh well.

I fixed my lens

It took an hour and a half and completely disassembling the body, but I fixed my Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens. I dropped it last week and didn't think anything of it, but the next day when I went to take a picture, it wouldn't focus closer than 3 meters. Luckily I found this nice article online and a lot of photos through the linked forums. I did some bending with pliers and had to deal with a little dust. Overall good experience and it works like new!

Ypsilanti Art in the Park

I forgot to mention in class that I will be participating in this artist market this weekend. It is a fundraiser for the senior center in my neighborhood located in Recreation Park on Congress. If you are around and in need of some crafty wares for the holidays please stop by. I go by the business name of Ursula's Moon. Maybe I will see you there. Food and kids activities will be available.

Best Photos of '09 Gallery Show, Lansing, thru Dec 31

It's not right next door, but if you're in the Lansing area, the Mid-Michigan Photography Club, the Mid-Michigan Art Guild, and the Eaton Rapids Photography Club are having a joint gallery show at the Delta Township District Library, going on now through December 31.

http://www.akindofmagic.eu
these are soap bubbles photographed by Bogdan Chesaru, there are some even more amazing images on his website check it out.

Steven Assael Lecture

In non-photo news, there will be a guest lecturer on campus Tuesday after class. Steven Assael works strictly with the figure and has a lot of great work. This lecture is free, and hearing working artists talk about their work is a great way to get inspiration and learn more about art. Hope to see you there!



http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139120061980&ref=mf

Shameless self-promotion

Two of my photos made it into the Livonia Fine Arts Exhibition (on display in Livonia's Fine Arts Gallery), and one of them -- that Alan and Leigh will remember -- was awarded the EMU Sponsor ribbon (Eastern, as it turns out, was one of the sponsors of the event).

The exhibit as a whole is great, with photography, painting, drawing, and sculpture all represented. If anyone knows Caryn from painting, she has some watercolor work in the show as well.

Charles McGee Exhibition

Hey all,

I just wanted to remind everyone that the Charles McGee Exhibit, "Energy - Charles McGee at Eight-Five" will have an opening Monday, 4-7pm in the University Gallery. There will be a discussion with him at 5pm. It's curated by Julia Myers and I've been hearing really good things from numerous professors about it. I got to meet him tonight when he and Jen Locke were arranging some works in Ford Gallery. Pretty cool guy and his work is fantastic. Also, it's expected there will be a ton of people coming in to see his work, as he's a world renowned artist.

Extra: Here's a photo of my cat, trying to sabotage my blog post.

Inspiration

this documentary demonstrates how staying committed to your work can pay off in the long run.

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2667184921/

powerful work

Photographer Lu Guanghas done some really moving and disturbing images of pollution in China.

http://www.chinahush.com/2009/10/21/amazing-pictures-pollution-in-china/

Bathroom Stall Unicorn Statements

I found these in the ladie's room at the Corner Brewery. I couldn't resist. Ha!

Cellar Roots now accepting submissions

Cellar Roots, an annual literary/arts publication produced by EMU students, is now accepting submissions (photography and other visual art, prose, and poetry) for the 39th (2010) edition. The theme is "change."

Submission guidellines are listed here.

Submission deadline is: December 24, 2009.

Holding Yourself Accountable

I was running through Hudson Mills park yesterday evening and had some thoughts I'd like to share. 

The leaves are at the peak of their autumn color and the smell in the air was amazing. As I was running around the park I began to think about photography and running simultaneously. I have been slacking a wee bit when it comes to my running routine. In the past few weeks I've been making it out three, two, and one week, I only made it out once. This inconsistency has led me to some moments of personal bashing and self-doubt. 

Why have I been letting myself down? I've always been very motivated and running is an important part my life. 

My friend shared an experience recently about holding herself accountable. She said she would do her workout at the gym if she had to report back to her physical therapist, but if not, she slacked. I was thinking about this last night while running in relationship to my own slacking. At this present moment, the only one holding me accountable for running is me. Isn't that the person that matters? Why is it that I'll let myself down but  do anything in my power to avoid letting a friend, family member, or in the past, a running coach, down? 

The light was brilliant last night. It illuminated the trees and darkened the shadows in a way that made the forest glow. Since I didn't have my camera, I took in a few deep breaths and tried to soak in the moment. All of my senses were completely satisfied and in that moment I made a promise to myself. I promised to stop making plans for tomorrow and start doing today. 

This has been a not-so-subtle inspirational moment.

Open Call

http://www.thebecafoundation.org/global/calls-to-artists.html

 http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/photomicrography/all/1  I really like these Microphotography images. They are so beautiful.

Horror photography by Joshua Hoffine

Since we're going to be talking about digital techniques soon, and as Halloween is just around the corner, here's some horror photography with an obvious digital touch by Joshua Hoffine:

http://www.joshuahoffine.com/

His images range from unsettling to just gross, but they're all interesting. He clearly is able to tap into what creeps people out.

a sleep video

http://www.youtube.com/user/jpatrich#p/u/10/vdij8ECnXBM


I watched this several times. Call me a sissy, but I find this to be super cute. This isn't where I am going with my project, but it gave me motivation to shoot some couples. Any takers?

A couple recent photo exhibits

Two recent photo exhibits, one local, one sort of local:

Smoke and Mirrors (an exhibit by Detroit artist Mitch Cope)
Paint Creek Center for the Arts (407 Pine St. Rochester; 248-651-4110)
Now through Nov. 7, 2009; artist reception Oct 9, 7:00 pm

The Lens of Impressionism: Photography and Painting Along the Normandy Coast, 1850-1874
U-M Museum of Art (525 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-764-0395)
Free exhibit Oct 10, 2009-Jan 3, 2010
More details here.

When thinking of Leigh's work.

I thought of this, when I was considering Leigh's work. -Kristen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_HXUhShhmY

Irving Penn dies at 92

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/arts/design/08penn.html

ARTS / ART & DESIGN

Irving Penn, Fashion Photographer, Is Dead at 92

By ANDY GRUNDBERG

Published: October 8, 2009

Mr. Penn’s blend of elegance and minimalism made him one of the most influential photographers of the century.

One of my photography instructors years ago told me her working method was to take her idea so far that it became ridiculous and then she would step backwards from there. Can't say I have ever worked this way but I think it is good advice.  Oh, photo not related, I just thought it made a nice addition to PUR.  

Robert & Shana Parke Harrison @ The Michigan Theater

Lecture will be held at The Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty Street, Thursday, November 12th from 5:10pm - 6:30pm.

"Photographers Robert and Shana Parke Harrison continue to pursue, with absorbing psychological and sensory effect, the ever-bleakening relationship linking humans, technology, and nature. At once formally arresting and immeasurably loaded with sensations—the work has a powerful impact both visually and viscerally. The Parke Harrison’s Stamps lecture is complemented by an exhibition of their work in the School of Art & Design’s Slusser Gallery October 16- November 13."

Facebook page for event.

Call for artists

"Call for Artists, Creative Photography Deadline for submission is October 31, 2009, no fee, 35% commission. Email jpgs, size, and medium to lindadimitroff@graffiagallery.com, or send pics (will be returned with enclosed postage) with same information to Graffia Gallery. Accepted Work must be received by October 26-31, 2009, no exceptions."

From John Cynar

Leigh has an exhibit!

Our classmate Leigh has an exhibit at the Civic Center Library in Livonia:

Make a big deal about it and embarrass the heck out of her.

The Look...The Feel...Of Cotton

A preview of things to come on critique day:

Looking at fetishes, trying to bring the viewer into feeling like s/he is there with the fetishist (or is the fetishist, maybe?).