My Commentary Published in En Foco's "Nueva Luz" Photographic Journal

Nueva Luz Vol. 16, No. 3 published by En Foco (2012)

Writing is another aspect of my art practice and my MFA experience has further emphasized how vital written criticism is to understanding works of art. I enjoy writing about my own work and equally, the work of others. So I'm pleased to announce the recent commentary that I've written for Nueva Luz Vol. 16 No. 3, the journal of En Foco.

My commentary is titled "Creating New Visual Canons". In it I talk about the work of three photographers who may also consider themselves visual artists considering the way they redefine the photographic image to create new ways of seeing their subjects.

Jowhara AlSaud's mixed-media approach critiques government-enforced censorship within Saudi society while Noelle Theard's documentary work on her family's country of Haiti is seen through her own empathetic eyes and South Korean June Yong Lee's digitally flattened torso series illuminates the hidden stories found within an individual's skin.

En Foco is a non-profit organization that nurtures and supports contemporary fine art and documentary photographers of diverse cultures, primarily U.S. residents of Latino, African and Asian heritage, and Native Peoples of the Americas and the Pacific.

I highly recommend subscribing to En Foco's Nueva Luz photographic journal or giving it as a gift and if your local educational institution or library doesn't have it then kindly suggest they get it. Please support this unique organization and their efforts towards culturally diversifying photography history.

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URGENT: Donate to Documentary on African American Photography History

Please consider donating to this important film about how African Americans have contributed to shaping their own image within photography history. There are only 15 days left to support Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People. Click here to securely donate via the USA Projects website.

Produced by Thomas Allen Harris in collaboration with photo historian Deborah Willis, this documentary features many of my own heroes of photography like Renee Cox, Carla Williams, Chester Higgins, Dawoud Bey, Lorna Simpson and many, many more. Check out a short promotional video about the project below.

Not to sound like a public television telethon but it's true, every single dollar counts! Your tax-deductible donation will go towards final editing sound mixing and archival licensing of the completion of this 8-year project. So far they have raised slightly over $33K of the $100K goal but the project will not be funded unless the goal is reached by July 27, 2012.

So if this subject is important to you, please contribute, tell your friends and family, tell any celebrities you may know, blog about it, post a badge on your website... tell the world!



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African-American Photographer Alvin Baltrop Exhibit at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

Alvin Baltrop, "Three Navy Sailors," 1969–72. Gelatin silver print, 8½ × 12¾ inches.
Collection Morteza Barharloo, Houston.

Perspectives 179
Alvin Baltrop: Dreams Into GlassRead more on the Read more on the 

July 20–October 21, 2012
Contemporary Art Museum Houston


I just recently learned about Baltrop's work in my "Photoconceptualism" history class this past year of my MFA at ICP-Bard College. This exhibit seems long overdue but among other urban works, it promises to be a comprehensive survey of the work of this Black photographer's exclusive look at the homosexual community both in the U.S. Navy where he served as well as in New York City's infamous West Side piers.


The following is an excerpt from the museum:


The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is pleased to present Perspectives 179–Alvin Baltrop: Dreams Into Glass, the first major solo museum survey of work by this African-American photographer. Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1948, Baltrop died from cancer in 2004 at the age of fifty-five. This exhibition serves to introduce audiences to Baltrop's visionary talent as a photographer, one who captured the beauty and decay of some of this country's most iconic urban landscapes as well as the pivotal moments of a society in transition. The survey features both vintage photographs and recent prints created by the artist over a thirty-five year period, including work from the mid-1960s to the early 2000s, a slide presentation of images shot by the artist that were not printed, and a sound collage taken from the artist's many phone conversations and interviews, as well as rare archival and ephemeral material lent by the artist's Trust.


Read more and see select images from the Alvin Baltrop show at the Contemporary Art Museum Houston.


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GuatePhoto Festival 2012 Open Call

Although Latin America has a rich and complex photography history, there are few photography festivals held in the region. So it is with much excitement and anticipation that I announce the open call for GuatePhoto 2012, running from November 7th through the 25th this year. 

GuatePhoto opens a call for proposals to photographers around the world interested in presenting their work. The works presented participate in a selection process in which 15 finalists will be elected. The works of the finalists of the Open Call will be exhibited in one of the main exhibitions of GuatePhoto 2012.

The choice of subject matter is free and the call for proposals is open to all photographers and photography collectives of any nationality. 

The OPEN CALL winner will receive: $3,000 in cash, a solo exhibition in the new gallery of La Fototeca, an all-expenses-paid trip to Guatemala to attend the inauguration of the festival and a seven-page spread published in RARA magazine.

Jurors include photographers Luis Gonzalez Palma, Jaime Permuth (previously interviewed on Dodge & Burn), plus directors of La Fototeca and RARA magazine.

Support photography in Latin American and apply to the GuatePhoto 2012 Open Call today!

Submission deadline is August 31, 2012.

DISCOVER TALENT
See all photographer interviews on Dodge & Burn.

STAY IN TOUCH
Get updates on new photographer interviews plus news on contests, art shows and informed commentary on what's happening with diversity in photography. Subscribe to Dodge & Burn Photography Blog: Diversity in Photography by Email.

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