Photography shows?

[David Spivak-Focus Magazine]

I know most of you attend shows like PhotoPlus Expo and other tech shows geared to photographers, but what about photography art shows dedicated to the collector such as AIPAD, Photo NY, LA, SF and Miami?

[roteague]

I know most of you attend shows like PhotoPlus Expo and other tech shows geared to photographers, but what about photography art shows dedicated to the collector such as AIPAD, Photo NY, LA, SF and Miami?

A good idea, a very good idea.

[David Spivak-Focus Magazine]

A good idea, a very good idea.

What is?

[claudiocambon]

The Grumpus view:

I have been to Photo LA a few times, and I am not a huge fan. One should go if one wants a sense of what is selling now, but not necessarily what is being made these days. I can't say I have ever been wowed by new work there, only happy to see some familiar faces of some of my favorite images. The dissonance of all the work hanging mumbo jumbo, Cartier Bresson next to George Tice next to a bright color picture of a cala lilly next to a Michael Kenna look alike, gives me a headache. I went one year with a friend who buys more than a little bit, and he confirmed my impression that the gallerists were very often curt, summarily sizing people up as either full of money (which my friend actually is), or as mere lollygaggers (which I suppose I am, albeit in a discreet way) when asked questions about pieces. A few years ago they stopped letting the non-profits such as MoPA and Carmel Center for Photographic Art set up booths, which further took the spirit out of it for me. I have never made it to the lectures, which are however supposed to be good.

I guess the event is directed at collectors, and for them it is a big flea market; for them it is probably a good way to see a lot of work all in one place. For a maker it feels like a joyless meat market.

[paulr]

Claudiocambon's headache sounds a lot like mine.

I've been to AIPAD a couple of times. I've also been to photoplus expo in nyc, and to some of the other art fairs (armory art show, etc.).

AIPAD was mostly interesting to see what's trendy in the photo blue chip world. Photoplus had a more down in the trenches feel ... got to see a better variety of things in a smaller setting. The big art expos are exhausting, and packed with a lot of predictable crowd-pleasing stuff (pleasing to a crowd seeking thrills and pretentions of newness) but i found i had to dig deep to find really interesting stuff (like some of the painting coming out of berlin, etc.).

I'd recommend shows that have a lot of non blue chip galleries (ones that might actually be looking for new work) to people seeking representation. They don't want to talk to you at the show (or even within the few weeks afterwards when they're busy) but you can make a list of galleries that seem worth approaching based on what they show. It's also interesting to see what's going on in the world once in a while, even it means braving a circus atmosphere.

[Michael Gordon]

I've been to PhotoLA about five times, and photography aside, my biggest beef is the extraordinarily rising entry cost in addition to criminal parking fees (it's difficult to find street parking around the Santa Monica Civic). If the hall wasn't so jam-packed with people and it wasn't so difficult to navigate through all the trendy people on their cell phones, I wouldnt mind paying $30 for the outing. As fairness to attendees, I think Cohen needs to find a more suitable venue for the increasing popualarity of this show.

[D. Bryant]

I know most of you attend shows like PhotoPlus Expo and other tech shows geared to photographers, but what about photography art shows dedicated to the collector such as AIPAD, Photo NY, LA, SF and Miami?

These shows are irrelevant for most of us that do not live in NY, LA, or Miami.

I suppose it is geared to appeal to the collector class, but I imagine most photographers would enjoy seeing the work on display.

Never the less, it's a world most of us will not visit or live in.

Don Bryant

[roteague]

These shows are irrelevant for most of us that do not live in NY, LA, or Miami.

I suppose it is geared to appeal to the collector class, but I imagine most photographers would enjoy seeing the work on display.

Never the less, it's a world most of us will not visit or live in.

Don Bryant

I think it is a good idea to go to something like this, to see what collectors are looking for. However, it is a long haul from Hawaii, and just not in the budget for me.

[alec4444]

PhotoPlus Expo, sadly, isn't as interesting as it was about 5 years ago. Very little film-based stuff anymore.

[paulr]

PhotoPlus Expo, sadly, isn't as interesting as it was about 5 years ago. Very little film-based stuff anymore.

I went 2 years ago and thought it was pretty cool. There was a roundtable discussion with people from the publishing industry, and a lot of big and small book publishers there ... not the kind of thing you see at aipad.

Does work really have to be made with film to be interesting?? better stay away from art museums. I hear they have some really dull paintings and sculptures there, none of them film-based