May 2009 Archives

Remember the Photo Booth at the bus station where you took goofy pics of you and/or your friend/BFF or whatever its called now-a-days? Well there is no reason to inhale bus fumes for the sake of that treasured photo strip when you can get the same darned thang at Photo Lottery. You heard right, for a limited time only , from 6-9ish o-clock May 30th at Photo Lottery you can get a photo strip for $10. The AS220 Darkroom's co-founder Pam Murray is opening her photo studio and making it a Photo Booth for Ya'll. See her on the second floor, with fabulous Photo Lottery photography on the walls to boot. As always, the Photo Lottery is free to attend, but only people who buy tickets will win artwork. Check out our online gallery at www.as220.org/photolottery to see more donated artwork and buy a ticket online. Tickets are also available at the AS220 Bar and the night of Photo Lottery, which is TOMORROW YO.

www.as220.org/photolottery

Growing up on the mean sidewalks of suburban/rural Massachusetts in the 1980's art meant a lot to me. It was a way out of where I found myself. While I have never imitated Keith Haring's art it was known to me as beacon of a life I could attain, if I could get myself outta Podunk Mass. My Mom used to sing in community choral groups and after a performance she and my Dad told me of a new " gay cancer " that the conductor had. This was before AIDS had a name. As I matured and got my semi bad self into Boston I felt a chill in the art scene. It seemed that sex, drugs and rock and roll had taken a chill pill, as AIDS was affecting the art community just a few short generational years ahead of me. Keith Haring was one who left us so young. Yet in this photo he is doing his thing, with the exuberance that made a kid hundreds of miles away think there is a life I want. Every photograph is a moment in time, and a moment of someone's life. It makes me so happy to see Stewart Martin's photo of Keith Haring.

Changing gears to Photo Lottery speak, this and 149 other photographs can be seen and won on May 30th , at the AS220 Darkroom's Photo Lottery of course. Tickets can be bought online ( www.AS220.org/photolottery) or at the AS220 Bar, and of course at the night of the show. During the show we will gladly accept checks and cash but are not geared for credit cards. To see other great images, including original photos of Deborah Harry circa 1977 ( I saw her on SOLID GOLD Yo! ) and fab photos of the one and only Tom Waits. Check out our growning online gallery at www.AS220.org/photolottery.

I've known of Mona Kuhn's work for some time now, through my friend Marlaine Noel who has turned me on to many great photographers. However when trying to describe her work I looked for help from google and found the phrase " Nude but not Naked" jump out as the only English in a German article about Mona's photography. It seemed fitting, as does this text from a review on her web site " The Naturist community portrayed by Mona Kuhn- Brazilian born artist living in California- is shown through skillful photographic compositions made of precise points of focus and arranging of poses, planes, lines and tones. The languages of bodies and faces, though, also convey a distinct sense of nudity as a natural condition, not as a source of allusion. We feel that the affective relations, not the sensual ones, are what really matter".

Once again we are lucky to have a photo donated by Mona, and 149 others. See her work and the entire show this Saturday from 6-9pm. You can see more work and buy tickets at our Photo Lottery website www.as220.org/photolottery and the AS220 Bar

All jokiness aside , Jock Sturges donated this photograph with an image size of 40x50". We have been fortunate to have Jock donate photos to three of our four Photo Lotteries.

The online site "Fine Art Photography Gallery Forum" says of Jock's work, " Jock Sturges sensual black-and-white photographs ( and in our case color ) have been featured in museums throughout the world. His subjects include women, men and children who live in communities where nudity is part of the accepted lifestyle. Jock usually spends weeks or months with his subjects , and they feel like his collaborators. Sturges accomplishes in his open-ended projects the continuing investigation into the engagement between public and private life, between tack and frankness, childhood and adolescence, male and female, artist and model . These stately images reflect self-revelation, trust, admiration, and the inevitable passage from adolescence to adulthood. " Check out some of the other work donated to Photo Lottery at www.as220.org/photolottery.

Tickets that are guaranteed to win art work can be purchased for $100 at the Photo Lottery web site, the AS220 Bar or by good ole check. The Photo Lottery is always free to come to, and is happening this Saturday May 30 from 6-9pm! Contact Scott Lapham at 401-225-8490 for more info.

Way back in 2007 a 16 year old Jesse McFadden donated a great print to the Photo Lottery. Two years later he is not only donating but volunteering 75hrs of his senior teenage years to making the 2009 Photo Lottery a success. He knows all our dark behind the scenes secrets and has seen all the donated art work coming in. His sophisticated taste has chosen his top 5 favorites from which he hopes to win one with his Photo Lottery ticket. They are............

1. Corliss Steam Engine ( taken in 1876 and printed in 2009 from the original glass negatives in the AS220 Darkroom!)

2. Peter Gemei ( either of his two donated photos)

3. Henry Horenstein

4. Denny Moers

5. Bill Gallery

He hopes not to win photos by

1. Himself ( we will not allow that to happen with any artist who donates & buys a ticket.)

2. His Father George McFadden

3. His Uncle Stephen McFadden

Check out our growing web gallery of Photo Lottery donations, where most of Jesse's favs can be seen. Find your own favs and buy a ticket online at our website, at the AS220 Bar or by arranging a check drop off by calling Scott Lapham @ 401-225-8490!

Check us out at www.as220.org/photolottery

Why am I hiding behind this incredible photograph of the historic Corliss Steam engine invented in Providence RI? Clearly it is because I can't compete! This photograph was contact printed from the original 20x24" glass negatives loaned to the AS220 Darkroom from the special collection of the Providence Public Library. There will be more about this exciting collaboration soon. The 2009 Photo Lottery will have numerous photographs produced from the glass negatives from this collection. See what Providence looked like 100 years ago. Who was being photographed and what were they wearing? For your chance to win one of these three photographs of the Corliss Steam engine, and 147 other fantastic photographs buy tickets at www.as220.org/photolottery or at the AS220 Bar.

Danny Lyon just informed us he will be donating this print to the 2009 Darkroom's Photo Lottery! This series of bikers from which this photo was selected was very influential when it was first produced and has clearly withstood the test of time. Danny's photography has continued to inspire but don't take my word for , google him. See the growing list of donated images by checking out our online Photo Lottery Gallery. While you're at it, buy a ticket and a chance to win fantastic photography and support the programs and facilities of the AS220 Darkroom.

www.as220.org/photolottery

Miguel Rosario began working with Photographic Memory, AS220 Darkroom's Youth Photography Program about two years ago. One of the first things Miguel photographed was this self portrait with a pinhole camera he made from cardboard, a tin can and some tape. Despite a move to central Massachusetts and Miguel's challenging work schedule we were able to keep in touch and continue his photographic education. One month ago Miguel photographed his first paid wedding. He will be missing the 2009 Photo Lottery when he photographs his second wedding. This is the work that the AS220 Darkroom loves to facilitate, and the work that the 2009 Photo Lottery will help support. Check out our Photo Lottery web site and get your ticket now!