The Chicago River 1999-2010 Exhibit

[Daniel Grenier]

If you're nearby, don't miss it.

I am not "nearby", and can't make this show but I have seen Richard's work first-hand in Pennsylvania several years back.

Really solid photography, this. Go see it.

[Henry Ambrose]

I very likely will be in Chicago this summer and I will make it a point to see your show.

[Kirk Gittings]

Until September 2. Will you be here this summer?

I'm teaching there every other summer these days-being away two months is getting too hard on my wife. But I am going out there to pick up a 7600. I will give you a call.

[chris_4622]

Richard,

My gf showed me the announcement in the paper over the weekend, we will be going to see it soon.

Congratulations.

chris

[John Jarosz]

Took a walk to the Library to see your exhibit. Nicely done.

My only complaint is that the images would benefit from better lighting.

Did you print these yourself? What kind are they?

Will your book contain additional images?

john

[Richard Wasserman]

Took a walk to the Library to see your exhibit. Nicely done.

My only complaint is that the images would benefit from better lighting.

Did you print these yourself? What kind are they?

Will your book contain additional images?

john

John,

I'm glad you were able to stop by. I agree about the lighting... The prints are inkjets that the library did themselves using scans I provided. I was hoping that I would be able to have my own prints made, but I could not convince them to spend the money. This is the first exhibit they have done using material that is not from their own collections, and they seem to be feeling their way.

My book which will be out very early next year will have over 100 images in it. It will also have quite an interesting essay written by a woman who is an archivist here in Chicago who has written a couple books of her own.

[John Jarosz]

These kinds of photos are important documents in the history of an area. I know many photographers feel the HABS/HAER work is rigid and boring but how else does anyone visually document a location for use by others?

Richard, you, myself, and my Dad probably stood at the same location to take the photo of Wolf Point with the Kinzie railroad bridge. My Dad's photo was taken around 1978 and the change in the area is amazing. I found it going thru his stuff. Searching on the net, I cannot find any vintage images of this view, yet it's historically a famous Chicago location. The 'feel' of a location can only come from an image. That's why collections like yours are so cool, because it's easy to step into the environment. Future observers will be indebted to your (and others like you) efforts at documenting the urban scene.

john

[Richard Wasserman]

John,

Thank you for your kind words. The changes that have taken place along the river, and elsewhere in Chicago are astounding. They are one of the principal reasons I began this project. I have always had a great deal of interest and affection for the city before it became gentrified—it was brawny and dirtier, its rough edges were much more visible, and was full of possibilities. I wanted, actually needed, to document it before all the vestiges of this past disappeared and were covered up by a shiny new city.

These kinds of photos are important documents in the history of an area. I know many photographers feel the HABS/HAER work is rigid and boring but how else does anyone visually document a location for use by others?

Richard, you, myself, and my Dad probably stood at the same location to take the photo of Wolf Point with the Kinzie railroad bridge. My Dad's photo was taken around 1978 and the change in the area is amazing. I found it going thru his stuff. Searching on the net, I cannot find any vintage images of this view, yet it's historically a famous Chicago location. The 'feel' of a location can only come from an image. That's why collections like yours are so cool, because it's easy to step into the environment. Future observers will be indebted to your (and others like you) efforts at documenting the urban scene.

john