Our own show?

[cyrus]

So waaayyyy back in 2007, and with much thanks to Frank Petrino who did most of the actual work, we members of this forum published a book of our photographs called "A Larger View (http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/257631)." If you remember, each of you sent me 2 photos, and I collected them and forwarded them to Frank who prepared them for book publication.

So here's another idea: why don't we have a showing of our work, organized by ourselves? It can't be so expensive to hire out a large-ish floor space somewhere (probably in a big city like NYC, ideally) and I think that would be the biggest expense. Photographers will be assigned a place to set up their displays, which will be entirely their own affair, and they'll pay a fee to cover the cost renting the facility. Then open the doors to the public and see what happens.

Yes yes I'm sure lots of people can come up with potential pitfalls. So instead lets talk about how it CAN be made to work.

[Jeff Dexheimer]

So waaayyyy back in 2007, and with much thanks to Frank Petrino who did most of the actual work, we members of this forum published a book of our photographs called "A Larger View (http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/257631)." If you remember, each of you sent me 2 photos, and I collected them and forwarded them to Frank who prepared them for book publication.

So here's another idea: why don't we have a showing of our work, organized by ourselves? It can't be so expensive to hire out a large-ish floor space somewhere (probably in a big city like NYC, ideally) and I think that would be the biggest expense. Photographers will be assigned a place to set up their displays, which will be entirely their own affair, and they'll pay a fee to cover the cost renting the facility. Then open the doors to the public and see what happens.

Yes yes I'm sure lots of people can come up with potential pitfalls. So instead lets talk about how it CAN be made to work.
I love the idea.

[Scott Walker]

I think the idea has excellent potential and I would be interested in participating.
I imagine the first steps would be to find out how much interest there is which would give you a better indication of what would be required for space.
Would this be open to members who would not be able to attend personally. A trip to NYC to set up a couple of prints and another to remove them would likely be a deal breaker for most.
I assume rental frames would be the way to go.

[Sean Galbraith]

Sounds like fun

[jp]

Sounds like fun, but I likely wouldn't be able to travel there.

In addition to renting, you'd have to hire someone to operate the space (lock, unlock, monitor, retail, chitchat, etc...)

Perhaps if it were promoted right, an existing compatible local institution(s) could host it for their own promotion.

[cyrus]

Well, I suppose some people could attend themselves, and they can bring & set up their friend's stuff...
Anyway, think of it as a vacation!

[jnantz]

there is always the agora gallery ..
but that is like 6$K upfront ..

[Scott Davis]

There are some spaces here in DC that accept curatorial proposals on an annual or in some cases quarterly basis. If a decent proposal could be put together, it could be made to work at one of those spaces at little more than the cost of shipping the work to and from the gallery. The time frame would be most likely sometime in 2013, at a minimum. I can investigate further if there is interest.

[cyrus]

there is always the agora gallery ..
but that is like 6$K upfront ..

divided by, say, 20 people? How about a garage? or a parking lot?

[Scott Walker]

there is always the agora gallery ..
but that is like 6$K upfront ..



divided by, say, 20 people? How about a garage? or a parking lot?


$300.00 each is a whole lot cheaper than two trips to NYC

[cyrus]

$300.00 each is a whole lot cheaper than two trips to NYC

Awww! But I'd like to meet some folks on this board in person!

[jnantz]

i have been marketed by agora a few times over the years ...
from what i remember, you have to pass-jury by them,
and once you are in, i think agora does all the marketing/pr
( with their client list ) for the shows as well ...
and that sounds like it is worth its weight in gold ... pr and mailings
are as important as the space ... and a retail space with insurance
and a track record is always better than a garage ;)

[Greg Blank]

NYC is drivable for me, or a train or bus & 300 is also doable at some point further into the new year. So I would say at least I am interested.

[Frank Petronio]

Do it all in a bar.

[cyrus]

Do it all in a bar.

I'll drink to that and much more.

[sepstein17]

I'm in! D.C. or NY -- with all the folks we already know it should be a snap organizing it. How about at a university SVA/NYU/Pratt as examples, and invite their "graduate photo students" to display also -- could be teachable moments.

[Bill Burk]

This sounds great! Even if I can't participate 'cause I'm west coast, I think it's a great idea. Maybe it could be an east/west show. Or maybe we could organize three of them (one in Colorado?)...

[Tom J McDonald]

I'd be up for one in Sydney.

[Greg Blank]

2 votes for an east-west show, but show the west coast photgraphers six months on the east coast and the east coast photographers six months on the west coast. Do it in 2013 or across later 2012- into mid 2013. $600 to participate. Everyone ships thier work and limit the print size to say 16x20 matted at?

[Scott Walker]

2 votes for an east-west show, but show the west coast photgraphers six months on the east coast and the east coast photographers six months on the west coast. Do it in 2013 or across later 2012- into mid 2013. $600 to participate. Everyone ships thier work and limit the print size to say 16x20 matted at?

I like that idea

[Terry Hayden]

I'm in for either coast or both !
I am on the left coast now, but I'm always looking
for excuses to go back east ( from whence I came ).

[rdenney]

What would the rules be? Print sizes, allowable technologies, mounting requirements, etc.

I'd be interested...it might actually motivate me to do some new work that's worth a damn.

But I also have some older work.

There may be others like me who've never contemplated something like this, and for whom this would be a growth experience. Might be nice for some of the experienced folks who have shown their works to be willing to provide a bit of mentoring to those who haven't. It's hard for people like me to get an honest appraisal of our work (including our display prints) and I'm a lousy judge of my own stuff.

Rick "who could use a goal right now" Denney

[Chuck Kimmerle]

Instead of going for a large and expensive venue such as in NY or LA, why not consider a gallery is a smaller city? The best group exhibit in which I was included was Triple Exposure (http://www.taubemuseum.org/press_release.htm) at the Taube Museum of Art in Minot, ND last year. It included Bruce Barnbaum, Bob Herbst, Adam Jahiel, Tillman Crane, Kerik Kouklis, Sandy King, David Fokos, Michael Smith, Paula Chamlee, Dan Smith, Ray McSavaney, Don Kirby, and a couple others I forget. It was truly, except for my possibly myself, an amazing exhibit and a great selection of contemporary landscape photographers. And it was all done in lil ol' North Dakota.

I know that a gallery in a smaller city limits potential sales (even in a large city the potential for sales is low), but that is offset by the small, if any, fee for the venue. And, as small cities are much more affordable than major metros, there would be a greater chance for folks getting together.

Just a thought.

[jp]

Instead of going for a large and expensive venue such as in NY or LA, why not consider a gallery is a smaller city? The best group exhibit in which I was included was Triple Exposure (http://www.taubemuseum.org/press_release.htm) at the Taube Museum of Art in Minot, ND last year. It included Bruce Barnbaum, Bob Herbst, Adam Jahiel, Tillman Crane, Kerik Kouklis, Sandy King, David Fokos, Michael Smith, Paula Chamlee, Dan Smith, Ray McSavaney, Don Kirby, and a couple others I forget. It was truly, except for my possibly myself, an amazing exhibit and a great selection of contemporary landscape photographers. And it was all done in lil ol' North Dakota.

Just a thought.

That's a nice group of artists to be exhibiting with. I've met a couple and seen their skill. That would transcend location anytime.

[cyrus]

What would the rules be? Print sizes, allowable technologies, mounting requirements, etc.

I'd be interested...it might actually motivate me to do some new work that's worth a damn.

But I also have some older work.

There may be others like me who've never contemplated something like this, and for whom this would be a growth experience. Might be nice for some of the experienced folks who have shown their works to be willing to provide a bit of mentoring to those who haven't. It's hard for people like me to get an honest appraisal of our work (including our display prints) and I'm a lousy judge of my own stuff.

Rick "who could use a goal right now" Denney

I think the only "rule" would that you can fit it into your assigned space.

[Greg Blank]

I would chose NYC, LA or SF. This should be a way of getting attention to your work and furthering your career, not a pat on the back to feel good. Two galleries on both sides of the country would be interesting to a lot of artminded people- maybe getting some relivent media coverage. There should be fifteen to twenty photographers maybe more if space is limited to one image per photographer, the cost needs to be doable at 300 per location. At 600 it will seperate those that have confidence they can sell work for more than 600, as opposed those that have doubts. Doing one image per photographer will make the show seemingly more exclusive.

There should also be a hanging fee included of say 25 dollar per locate to insure its done well. There should be an impartial adminstrator someone from the group that is liked and trusted "A Ken Lee for example- maybe Cyrus if he/or she was a bit better known :) Athough each photographer should chose his work perhaps having all the other photographers vote about a photographers selections would or could provide additional help for those uncertain. The money should be handled through the selected galleries and overseen by the adminstrator and maybe an elected second agent or panel. Just my 2 cents of additional thoughts.

[cyrus]

I would chose NYC, LA or SF. This should be a way of getting attention to your work and furthering your career, not a pat on the back to feel good. Two galleries on both sides of the country would be interesting to a lot of artminded people- maybe getting some relivent media coverage. There should be fifteen to twenty photographers maybe more if space is limited to one image per photographer, the cost needs to be doable at 300 per location. At 600 it will seperate those that have confidence they can sell work for more than 600, as opposed those that have doubts. Doing one image per photographer will make the show seemingly more exclusive.

There should also be a hanging fee included of say 25 dollar per locate to insure its done well. There should be an impartial adminstrator someone from the group that is liked and trusted "A Ken Lee for example- maybe Cyrus if he/or she was a bit better known :) Athough each photographer should chose his work perhaps having all the other photographers vote about a photographers selections would or could provide additional help for those uncertain. The money should be handled through the selected galleries and overseen by the adminstrator and maybe an elected second agent or panel. Just my 2 cents of additional thoughts.

No way man! I am a neophyte LF photographer, and furthermore I DO NOT do well in hierarchical situations of any sort! I'm more for the "whatever floats your boat, man, it's all cool" school of photography and life in general so I'm not going to administrate to anyone. Bring yer photos, hang em up, kick back. The Dude Abides.

[Frank Petronio]

A $600 threshold would eliminate a lot of the beginners and less-than-hardcore... leaving how many participants? Would it be more than three? It's well past my comfort level for participating in a new, unproven venue.

I guess you need to decide whether it will be inclusive like the book, with images all over the place -- or classy and exclusive? My hunch is that this forum is more the latter.

It should probably grow organically, from a low-key social gathering to, if it gains momentum and the numbers increase, growing into a juried, well-done exhibit.

If everyone submitted work to guidelines and Cyrus wants to crate and ship, then each city could host the traveling exhibit for the cost of shipping, publicity, and space.

But Cyrus brought this up, let's get some work out of him ;-P

[cosmicexplosion]

would i be able to ship a print from australia?

but one print per artist divided by actual costs sounds fair,

so does a certain space allocation, and do what ever you want.

creative limitations are good, like a theme or only black and white, or certain size.

shows what ya got.

but i think the first one should be manned by volunteers, so it actually happens with no fighting over money/pay.

I am pretty sure there are people who also need something to do.

i think its a great idea to bring every one together, and also have some cameras on display so the public get an idea, and we may even get some recruits into the cult.;)

[Edward (Halifax,NS)]

Thanks for the mention of A Larger View. After looking into it I added it to my Christmas list. I have enjoyed flipping through the pictures today.

Edward


So waaayyyy back in 2007, and with much thanks to Frank Petrino who did most of the actual work, we members of this forum published a book of our photographs called "A Larger View (http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/257631)." If you remember, each of you sent me 2 photos, and I collected them and forwarded them to Frank who prepared them for book publication.

So here's another idea: why don't we have a showing of our work, organized by ourselves? It can't be so expensive to hire out a large-ish floor space somewhere (probably in a big city like NYC, ideally) and I think that would be the biggest expense. Photographers will be assigned a place to set up their displays, which will be entirely their own affair, and they'll pay a fee to cover the cost renting the facility. Then open the doors to the public and see what happens.

Yes yes I'm sure lots of people can come up with potential pitfalls. So instead lets talk about how it CAN be made to work.

[Andrew O'Neill]

What a coincidence! I was just looking at that book last night while waiting for a carbon print to expose. I'd be all for a show but NY is just too far away and with all my son's hockey tournaments money would be a big issue. What about two shows? San Francisco would be more manageable for some of us out in the west.

[madmax12]

I like the san Francisco Idea . Two shows

[cyrus]

would i be able to ship a print from australia?

but one print per artist divided by actual costs sounds fair,

so does a certain space allocation, and do what ever you want.

creative limitations are good, like a theme or only black and white, or certain size.

shows what ya got.

but i think the first one should be manned by volunteers, so it actually happens with no fighting over money/pay.

I am pretty sure there are people who also need something to do.

i think its a great idea to bring every one together, and also have some cameras on display so the public get an idea, and we may even get some recruits into the cult.;)

My instinct is: send your prints to a friend who can take responsibility for them and hang them up for you - I'm sure if everyone decides to help out, lots of people from overseas can participate. and my second instinct is that whatever pay arrangements you make with them is your own business, if any. I would not encourage anyone to think of this as a serious money-making venture of any sort but as an experiment that may make some money a few shows from now

[cyrus]

I like the san Francisco Idea . Two shows

Cool - why not?

[cyrus]

As for assigning spaces - some spaces will be better than others so would logically cost more. Some way of encouraging participation and coughing up the dough would be nice - maybe first-come, first pick of space. It has to be some way that doesn't leave a lot of room for bickering over space as no one would want to have to act as any sort of arbiter. Anyway I guess the first step is to get an idea of costs for different sorts of spaces. Any suggestions?

[cosmicexplosion]

what about a traveling show, that can snow ball, collecting some and shedding some?

bickering in my experience from being a gallery manager is best avoided by using a curator, or some one person who decides what goes where, not based on $$$ but on the flow of works.

every artists wants the best spots, but the best works may sit better in a shady corner, that draws you away from the crowds, into contemplation.

[John Kasaian]

Kodak probably has some vacant floor space in Rochester!

[John Kasaian]

San Francisco is an excellent location on the west coast, but Freestyle has a gallery space in thier Hollywood store, and since most of us are customers, I wonder if they could be approached?

[Drew Bedo]

Anybody in the Houston area?

What about the Houston Center for Photography?

[cosmicexplosion]

being an idea born on this forum, i feel strongly that it should not be a u.s resident centered event,
but an L>F forum event, which implies the international community. I am sorry if that conflicts with your world view.

[John Kasaian]

being an idea born on this forum, i feel strongly that it should not be a u.s resident centered event,
but an L>F forum event, which implies the international community. I am sorry if that conflicts with your world view.

Ibeza is nice this time of year:D