OK, fine.
Maybe you just want to look. Or buy that limited edition book that you will not see anywhere else. We’ve already come across an out of print book that we’re picking up for our weekly giveaway.
Think about this though..in these economically challenged times, one of the best places to invest is in quality art. The real collectors have been jumping in with both feet. And with your knowledge of photography, you will be able to make an intelligent purchase. Or be guided by a reputable dealer.
This is not for the Hedge Fund folks who just want to come in, flip it, and get out. This is a buy and hold market.
But the joy you may get from seeing a quality photograph in your home, will probably surpass that on-line statement of whatever you have at this point.
We have found this to be true. And gratifying.

So all of that being said, this art fair has gathered, once again, a stellar group of world class dealers and photographs. Today we’ll be making one more round to select some photographers that have stood out to us in the past days, and then we’ll supply links so everyone can take a look.
Cool?

A few more images from yesterday:

[photopress:PF8_1095.jpg,full,centered] Artist Vee Speers and model. Her work is currently available from Jackson Fine Art Gallery.

[photopress:PF8_1072.jpg,full,centered] Photographer Bernard Demenge was on hand to present his work. He likes to make faces.

[photopress:PF8_1076.jpg,full,centered] Still time to pick up your books. Unless you go to Japan, you will not see this huge selection again.

[photopress:PF8_1112.jpg,full,centered] The crowds were finding their way through the thousands of images.

[photopress:PF8_1073.jpg,full,centered] Not everyone was content to look. Some had to create anew.

Lot’s more going on in Paris and photography, and we’re heading out to catch some more.

And regarding the above comments about buying a photograph; it’s not like we’re saying adopt a pet. We’re saying it’s an investment for you and your fellow artists and your financial future. Kinda of that ld wheel going around too, when you invest in a younger artist.
Someone had to buy Edward Weston’s first photos.
I’ll bet they didn’t pay that much, either.

Sure, Ladurée makes darn fine croissants, and the best macarons ever.
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But the fine delights for your palette are just smidgin of what you will see here at Paris-Photo, and all around Paris.

We took in the Patrick Demarchelier exhibit at the Petit Palais. The concept of organizing this master’s show is genius.
Admittedly, when you first enter the exhibit, the photos are displayed amongst antiquities from the museums collection. They are poorly lit, glarey and honestly a disappointment.
BUT………….

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Then you are hit with gestalt of the show in the first room: a massive, open air partial rotunda, with paintings from classical masters, surround with Demarcheiliers work.

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[photopress:PF8_0967.jpg,full,centered] Lady Di and her children are grouped with this tortured painting

It was a physical shock to the system at first, then you back up, get the full look, and then you go closer to see each image, then back up again as it snaps into clear view again.

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This goes on and on throughout the main floor as you weave into the wooden framed paintings, purposefully sprinkled with the photographs.

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OK, all well and good. However, for the purists, there is another entire gallery with straight prints also in groupings, to satiate your desire for a series.

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Along the halls leading up to the auditorium, you can stop for hours and check out all of the contact sheets that led to the show, and decide for yourself why an image choice was made.

I know, the shots here haven’t given you the detail of the images. Kind of the point, really. Something that truly has to be experienced.
However, Steidl, just put out an excellent compilation book of his work.

Honestly have never seen a museum try so hard to incorporate it’s DNA with that of a featured artist. It works, though.

That gut blast at first was jarring but then settled down as the viewing experience presented to us, became obvious. By the time the next section downstairs was met, the standard exhibit setting was like a downshift: still purring along, without the challenging high.
Truly, huge congratulations to all who produced this massive curatorial undertaking. Your brilliance is inspiring.

Anyway, if you’re in Paris by january 4th, you’ve got to check it out :

PETIT PALAIS, MUSEE DES BEAUX ARTS DE LA VILLE DE PARIS
Avenue Winston Churchill 75008 PARIS
Metro : Champs Elysées Clemenceau
tel: 01 53 43 40 00

And ,if you prefer your photo books signed, there are many artists putting ink to paper with perhaps your name inscribed at top, if you like, at Paris-Photo.
The range of work this year is not to be missed.
Yes, we will post a full photo gallery, and links to most of the artists represented.
And we did find a pretty special, unique artists work, that we will be giving away in our weekly giveway.

Oh, yeah, how about this: a FULL month of photo exhibits, events and more all of NOV., all over Paris. Sound good ? check this site for details. Way too many things to even approach listing.
By the way, all over Europe there are “Month Of Photography” celebrations and exhibits.
Vienna, Berlin, Bratislava, Luxembourg, Moscow, and Rome

Right, and the videos we have shot so far have some first looks at items for our readers.
Editing once we return of the Land Of LA though.
Someones got to see this work and eat those delights. Might as well be us. Sharing with you.

Nope, not the fact that RED is making a 3K modular, still and video camera that will take Canon and Nikon lenses, for under 3000.USD.
Not going there just yet.

We are at Paris-Photo and we are all about the photographs. Drumroll, please……

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Yao Lu Winner of the 2008 BMW – Paris Photo Prize

Launched in 2004 to support contemporary photography, the BMW–Paris Photo Prize has become an important landmark in the world of international photography.

A panel of prestigious international experts will selected the winner of this €12,000 prize from among the living artists represented by the Paris Photo 2008 participating galleries. The theme for 2008 is “Never Stand Still”. The short-listed works will be on view during Paris Photo and the awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 13, 2008.

The 2008 Jury : Marta Gili (director of Jeu de Paume), Vicki Goldberg (writer and lecturer), Stephen Shore (artist), Nicolas Wertans (CEO of BMW France), Eric de Riedmatten (director of communications, BMW France) , Anne Wilkes Tucker (curator, photography department, Houston Museum of Fine Arts), Michael Wilson (collector).

We showed you one of his images, from the press day screening (previous article), and were quite impressed.
Located in Beijing, this Professor of Art, impressed the BMW judges so much, he won the top award. And €12,000.

here is another one of his pieces.

[photopress:Yao_Lu1.jpg,full,centered]© Yao Lu

Congratulations Yao Lu and 798 PhotoGallery!

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The preview for this years Paris-Photo Art Fair, starting today at took off yesterday with a huge response from the ever passionate group of photography lovers.

[photopress:PF8_0773_2.jpg,full,centered]your credentials,please

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Japan is the honored and featured country this year, with the Japanese galleries seemed centered on one side, near the back quandrant, although work was still spread throughout.

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Plus there is additional section of Japanese publishers joined the main floor. we’ll get to those in more details in the days to come.

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After a quick 4 hour tour about the fair we scratched the surface, checking out some of the offerings from dealers around the world with an emphasis on the US.contingent.

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Sales seemed to be brisk for everyone, but almost each booth was hedging their bets as books were present at almost everyone. Perhaps the thinking was if the market was flat, at least people will pick up a book or two.

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We may be guilty of that as the day progress, although the thought of bringing a stack of new books home, makes my luggage ache.

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Nothing like the smiling face of Elliott Erwitt to set a tone.

Some views from the floor:

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Show and Sell

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Yaolu¡¯s new landscape Smoke-like Clouds at Zhongshan (Photographer: Yao Lu)
ed]
This amazing visual drew us in, as we realized the traditional painterly evocative landscapes had been created with photography and a little photoshop.

[photopress:PF8_0775_2.jpg,full,centered] Eikoh Hoseh

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A little booth grabber.

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Deep in conversation, but the photographs are omnipresent.

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[photopress:PF8_0850_2.jpg,full,centered] Big IS Good

By the time we were leaving at 8:30 there was a massive group trying to get in for the last 90 min., but the fire marshalls were keeping a pretty tight eye on the over capacity crowd.
Ah yes, we’re a passionate bunch for sure.

Before you enter the exhibit, you are treated to a film by Jean Cocteau, as he creates multiple personas of Lee Miller, in a rare 1930’s film.

You have been set-up to explore this sometimes tragic, many times married, model, photographer, who being inspired by the artists of her time, may have been responsible for some of images credited to them.

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She was their muse, sometimes their lover, who seemed to have complete control over her far reaching life.
The gravitas she brought Vogue of all magazines, with her coverage of WWII, including photographs and writings of the death camps of Dachau and Buchenwald, were unheard of for that kind of magazine, plus she was the only woman photojournalist of the war.
This, according to the wall printed biography, was part of what made up this intriguing, and mostly unknown artist. (note: her fame was perhaps more regarding her lifestyle and her work went mostly unappreciated. We apologize for inferring that she was unknown in any way)
She hung out with the great artists of her time, and in one series for Vogue, had them all working for her.
In a series called “Working Farm”, her friends from Saul Steinberg grappling with a hose, to Picasso taking care of her daughter, and even the founder of MOMA, slopping the pigs, ending with a photograph of her taking a nap on the couch, as her guests work the farm. Hilarious.

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[photopress:51JWhtbBHtL._SL500_AA240_.jpg,full,alignright] Now at the Jeu De Paume in Paris, through Jan. 4th, 2009
And if you can’t make it, pick up the book by her son. You’ll appreciate the perspective.

And when you discover her life and work, you’ll be amazed by the intensity with she lived and ponder the reasons she took those paths. Unlike many photographers, her personal life became so intertwined with her work, and perception thereof, that each book produced on her becomes a dual examination.
From the world class travels, to her last days on the Farley Farm House, where she had entertained the artistic luminaries of the day, she led a full life, taking a tragic start to a rich finish.
Miller died at Farley Farm House in Chiddingly, Sussex in 1977, aged 70. She was cremated, and her ashes spread through her herb garden at the farm.