All Photos courtesy of Michael Wolf
Photographer and VERSUS Artist, Michael Wolf has a very interesting installation show in Amsterdam called, PARIS STREET VIEW.
Please see several installation photos of the show courtesy of Michael Wolf.
Showing posts with label VERSUS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label VERSUS. Show all posts
Friday, March 12, 2010
Paris Street View- Photographer Michael Wolf - Installation Show - Amsterdam
Photographer and VERSUS Artist, Michael Wolf has a very interesting installation show in Amsterdam called, PARIS STREET VIEW.
Please see several installation photos of the show courtesy of Michael Wolf.
Monday, February 8, 2010
VERSUS- Review @ Fraction Magazine by Mary Goodwin
Jen Davis vs. Eric Ogden
Many many thanks to Photographer David Bram and Mary Goodwin , Associate Director of Light Work for the great review of the show VERSUS. Fraction Magazine is fantastic publication and , I encourage all you readers to keep up with its great articles.
This made my morning! Thank you so much!
Here is the review by Mary Goodwin:
The exhibition versus should be on your short list of shows to visit in New York City between now and March 8. Curator/collector/artist/blogger Ruben Natal-San Miguel has assembled an eye-popping array of images by some of contemporary photography’s most intriguing artists. The list of 18 participating photographers is indeed impressive, including some well-known names, such as Zoe Strauss, Michael Wolf, Brian Ulrich, Mickalene Thomas, Eric Ogden, and Hank Willis Thomas, among others. More interestingly, San-Miguel has paired these more high-profile artists with those who may be a little less familiar to you, at least for now.
These pairings, from which the show garners its name, are a simple device that accomplishes a lot with elegant economy. In most cases, such as putting Mickalene Thomas’s work together with Nadine Rovner’s, the pairings amplify similarities in theme and approach, in this case, a retro seventies feel concerned with sleekness, glamour, and its impact on identity and narrative. When curator san-Miguel poses the question, “If it wasn’t Penelope Cruz peeking through the window, if it was Jane Doe, would the scene be as powerful, lush, and tantalizing?” about Ogden’s work, placing Jen Davis’s images next to Ogden’s answers with a resounding “Yes!” Sometimes the juxtapositions presented in versus are so refined that you may have to squint to tell where one photographer’s work stops and another’s begin, such as with Phil Toledano vs. Elizabeth Fleming.
Versus takes on additional complexity when work by “unpaired” photographers start to speak to each other from across the room. This synergy happens best when the deserted, signless storefront in Brian Ulrich’s Toys-R-Us reverberates with the erased-logo mints tin in Hank Willis Thomas’s Now That’s Funny; these connections between unpaired works form the connective tissue that holds the whole exhibition together as a survey.
Ultimately, versus is an exhibition about relationships both on the walls and beyond them. The backstory of how the show was conceived, put together, and promoted provides a great case in point. That versus was conceived of, organized, and then promoted on Andy Adam’s Flak Photo website in a matter of weeks is a testament to the strength of the connections among the many players. The quality and richness of versus is proof that hous projects and Ruben Natal-San Miguel really know how to put on a show.
Those who can’t visit versus in person can get a flavor of what it has to offer at the hous projects website.
—Mary Goodwin is the Associate Director at Light Work in Syracuse, New York. Light Work was founded in 1973 as a non-profit, artist-run organization. We provide direct support to artists working in the media of photography and digital imaging through residencies, publications, exhibitions, a community-access digital lab facility, and other related projects.
Many many thanks to Photographer David Bram and Mary Goodwin , Associate Director of Light Work for the great review of the show VERSUS. Fraction Magazine is fantastic publication and , I encourage all you readers to keep up with its great articles.
This made my morning! Thank you so much!
Here is the review by Mary Goodwin:
The exhibition versus should be on your short list of shows to visit in New York City between now and March 8. Curator/collector/artist/blogger Ruben Natal-San Miguel has assembled an eye-popping array of images by some of contemporary photography’s most intriguing artists. The list of 18 participating photographers is indeed impressive, including some well-known names, such as Zoe Strauss, Michael Wolf, Brian Ulrich, Mickalene Thomas, Eric Ogden, and Hank Willis Thomas, among others. More interestingly, San-Miguel has paired these more high-profile artists with those who may be a little less familiar to you, at least for now.
These pairings, from which the show garners its name, are a simple device that accomplishes a lot with elegant economy. In most cases, such as putting Mickalene Thomas’s work together with Nadine Rovner’s, the pairings amplify similarities in theme and approach, in this case, a retro seventies feel concerned with sleekness, glamour, and its impact on identity and narrative. When curator san-Miguel poses the question, “If it wasn’t Penelope Cruz peeking through the window, if it was Jane Doe, would the scene be as powerful, lush, and tantalizing?” about Ogden’s work, placing Jen Davis’s images next to Ogden’s answers with a resounding “Yes!” Sometimes the juxtapositions presented in versus are so refined that you may have to squint to tell where one photographer’s work stops and another’s begin, such as with Phil Toledano vs. Elizabeth Fleming.
Versus takes on additional complexity when work by “unpaired” photographers start to speak to each other from across the room. This synergy happens best when the deserted, signless storefront in Brian Ulrich’s Toys-R-Us reverberates with the erased-logo mints tin in Hank Willis Thomas’s Now That’s Funny; these connections between unpaired works form the connective tissue that holds the whole exhibition together as a survey.
Ultimately, versus is an exhibition about relationships both on the walls and beyond them. The backstory of how the show was conceived, put together, and promoted provides a great case in point. That versus was conceived of, organized, and then promoted on Andy Adam’s Flak Photo website in a matter of weeks is a testament to the strength of the connections among the many players. The quality and richness of versus is proof that hous projects and Ruben Natal-San Miguel really know how to put on a show.
Those who can’t visit versus in person can get a flavor of what it has to offer at the hous projects website.
—Mary Goodwin is the Associate Director at Light Work in Syracuse, New York. Light Work was founded in 1973 as a non-profit, artist-run organization. We provide direct support to artists working in the media of photography and digital imaging through residencies, publications, exhibitions, a community-access digital lab facility, and other related projects.
Here is the link of Fraction Magazine issue #11 that you should read!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Brian Ulrich- Talk & Book Signing-Friday Jan 29 @ VERSUS- Hous Projects
© Brian Ulrich
Please join us Friday January 29, 2010 from 5:30-7:00 PM @ Hous Projects Gallery for a talk and book signing with Photographer and 2009 Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Brain Ulrich.
The talk will be hosted by VERSUS curator, Ruben Natal-San Miguel and co hosted by Heather Huber of Hous Projects Gallery.
Much of this work is part of the larger project Copia for which Ulrich is currently working on a Guggenheim Fellowship and planning to continue across the country making pictures for a compilation of photographs to culminate in a book that examines 100 years of consumer culture in the US.
Besides talking about his current body of work, Brian, also will talk about the works in the show VERSUS and the perspective of the new generation of photographers.
See you all Friday!
Date:
Friday, January 29, 2010
Time:
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Location:
Hous Projects Gallery, 31 Howard St 2nd Flr,NY, NY 10013
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
FLAK PHOTO Teams up with VERSUS!
Back in the Big Apple from La La Land this morning after Red Eye flight. Lots to tell about PhotoLA but, first there are some events that, I need to caught up with besides my regular sleep (feeling fried).
I had the pleasure of meeting Andy Adams during PhotoLA and he had this wonderful idea of showing selected works from the VERSUS show. Thank you so much Andy for featuring the works of VERSUS in Flak Photo.
Flak Photo partners with curator Ruben Natal-San Miguel to feature 10 photographs from VERSUS, weekdays through FRI, JAN 29.
FLAK PHOTO FEATURES
Versus | A Group Exhibition at Hous Projects
Flak Photo kicks off its 2010 program by partnering with blogger/curator Ruben San-Natal Miguel to feature a selection of photographs from his current exhibition, VERSUS, on view at Hous Projects in New York City. From the curator's statement:
At the start of not only a new year, but also a new decade, it is imperative to reflect upon the themes of our times and celebrate humanity’s accomplishments and spirit...The exhibition is a cornucopia, yet the underlining tone is one that allows each of these strong voices to sing and praise the body as a whole whose refrain is socially relevant, neither mundane nor negative or shallow and is extremely timely. It is ever amazing how much courage it takes to live an ordinary life, but this exhibition hopes to cull and inspire in each viewer the motivation to embrace and own the good, usher it into their day to day and make the next year as well as decade one of positivity and strength.
In support of the exhibition, Flak Photo highlights work from ten photographers in the group show, weekdays through January 29, 2010 and includes images from Jen Davis, Molly Landreth, Eric Ogden, Gina LeVay, Kris Graves, Matthew Pillsbury, Mickalene Thomas, Nadine Rovner, Phil Toledano and Zoe Strauss.
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Ruben Natal-San Miguel's VERSUS is on view at Hous Projects from January 7 - March 8, 2010.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
THANK YOU!!
THANK YOU and BIG LOVE to you all for your support, kind words, press and presence for the opening of VERSUS.
Special thanks to all the art and photography community, the participating artists and Elizabeth Houston, John Housman, owners of Hous Projects and their lovely staff for allowing me to create this show. It was an eye opener experience to me in so many different levels that, will take me time to absorb it all. Again thank you!
Some of the works are already selling and The NEW YORKER already reserved two images from the show for press. More coming!
From here next stop is Los Angeles for PhotoLA! After brief hesitation, Am officially on board (on a plane on a few days) to experience having my own work in a fair again and collaborate with Hous Projects Gallery Booth.
Elizabeth and I decided to bring a selection VERSUS artists and, I curated a wall that is dedicated to women, calling it THE WOMEN OF VERSUS. The artists from the show participating are:
Eric Ogden
Gina LeVay
Molly Landreth
Elizabeth Fleming
Jen Davis
Phil Toledano
Cara Phillips
Ruben Natal-San Miguel
Things are happening quite fast and furious and at times I wonder, where all this is leading me to...for now all I can do, is go for the joy ride and not think and look back. Am afraid if I do, it all will disappeared or, I will turn into stone.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
IT IS SHOWTIME -VERSUS IS OPENING TODAY JANUARY 7
Ruben Natal- San Miguel, Pink Panther in Harlem
Digital C-print , 2008
CURATORIAL STATEMENT
At the start of not only a New Year, but also a new decade, it is imperative to reflect upon the themes of our times and celebrate humanity’s accomplishments and spirit. Through the work of 18 photographers both emerging and established, Versus’ aim point is to survey photography, guided by the hand of curator Ruben Natal San-Miguel, that does just this. Compared and contrasted, each artist dissects and highlights the other through juxtapositions of subject matter, composition, style, lighting and technique. The exhibition is a cornucopia, yet the underlining tone is one that allows each of these strong voices to sing and praise the body as a whole whose refrain is socially relevant, neither mundane nor negative or shallow and is extremely timely. It is ever amazing how much courage it takes to live an ordinary life, but this exhibition hopes to cull and inspire in each viewer the motivation to embrace and own the good, usher it into their day to day and make the next year as well as decade one of positivity and strength.
Brian Ulrich vs. Alex Leme
Both Brian Ulrich and Alex Leme search and explore the content of billboards and signs while driving aimlessly through America , from the Bible Belt to the sidewalks of South Beach.Brian does the Dark Stores, Thrift and Copia series for which he showcases, gone out of business empty store fronts demonstrating, reflecting and signaling our current state of the economy. Alex uses subtext of his images demonstrate how far some fundamentalist religious institutions are willing to go to recruit new members and to warn their followers of the lure of the adult entertainment industry which threatens their faith.
Mickalene Thomas vs. Nadine Rovner
A retro, seventies atmosphere dominates the work of Mickalene Thomas and Nadine Rovner. Whereas Rovner captures a suburban world in a painterly, romantic fashion, Thomas takes a more urban look. She utilizes the female members of her family to revisit the black exploitation movement in an urban, sassy, yet endearing manner.
Hank Willis Thomas vs. Cara Phillips
Hank Willis Thomas uses race and social politics via iconic, tongue in cheek imagery. He is able to make fun in an enlightening manner. Thomas’ work is dominated by skin’s surface impressions, which directly contrasts Cara Phillips’ Ultraviolet Beauties. Phillips literally gets under the skin of her subjects and exposes them for what lurks beneath. Each individual is pictured in their current state, but with the exercise of ultraviolet violet on them she shows the skin beneath and reveals the traces of what will be visible on the surface as they age.
Amy Elkins vs. Molly Landreth
Amy Elkins’ Wallflower series addresses and brings out the vulnerable, and at times feminine, factor in male portraiture. Molly Landreth travels across America and encounters along the way gay, lesbian and transgender living at times flamboyant and at times quite pedestrian in the most remote and conservative regions of America.
Matthew Pillsbury vs. Kris Graves
Matthew’s sensibility travels from the most mundane and ordinary to the opulent and results in sublime imagery, great composition and surreal lighting effects. The human figure is at times present in the form of an insinuated shadow or silhouette, a reflection of how fast paced and of the moment everyday life can be to most of us. Kris Grave’s spaces suggest emptiness, at times decay, solitude, absence and the former and no longer present existence of human figures in a space.
Phil Toledano vs. Elizabeth Fleming
Phil Toledano’s Days with my Father series deals with family dynamics, the relationship between him and his father, aging and the last days of his father’s existence. Elizabeth Fleming’s Family matters deals with the life endearing facts of raising a child of her own.
Zoe Strauss vs. Ruben Natal-San Miguel
Zoe Strauss’ beat is mostly the streets of Philadelphia and America . There she chooses to photograph the harsh, raw and very real times of the underprivileged and poor. This is life as it really happens. The underbelly that few want to dive into, but most be on the forefront of the collective conscious. Yet, as dark as streets such as these can be, Ruben Natal-San Miguel finds the brighter moments. In a parallel socioeconomic area in upper Manhattan, he finds children playing, laughter, community and pride.
Jen Davis vs. Eric Ogden
Eric Ogden’s phenomenally beautiful work is populated by celebrity, glamour and the grand lifestyle in staged settings that the common man will never know, yet somehow you can see yourself there and if it was not Penelope Cruz peeking through the window, if it was Jane Doe, the scene would be as powerful, lush and tantalizing. Converse in subject, but on par in beauty and sentiment, Jen Davis utilizes self-portraits in domestic, humble, everyday settings
Michael Wolf vs. Gina Levay
It does not get more distinctly opposite then when looking at Michael Wolf and Gina LeVay. Wolf quite literally captures the lives of those living and working in the air. Suspended high above ground level, they are wrapped in air, sky and light. LeVay takes her camera underground in her Sandhogs series and brings to the surface an occupation that is a way of life. Sandhogs are miners who work 800 feet below the streets of Manhattan, tunneling bedrock to create the largest capital project in New York City’s history, the 60 mile City Water Tunnel #3. While Wolf’s subjects are in the middle of weather systems, LeVay’s might have no idea at all what is happening in the world above them.
Digital C-print , 2008
It is showtime!
The show looks great!
See you tonight!
At the start of not only a New Year, but also a new decade, it is imperative to reflect upon the themes of our times and celebrate humanity’s accomplishments and spirit. Through the work of 18 photographers both emerging and established, Versus’ aim point is to survey photography, guided by the hand of curator Ruben Natal San-Miguel, that does just this. Compared and contrasted, each artist dissects and highlights the other through juxtapositions of subject matter, composition, style, lighting and technique. The exhibition is a cornucopia, yet the underlining tone is one that allows each of these strong voices to sing and praise the body as a whole whose refrain is socially relevant, neither mundane nor negative or shallow and is extremely timely. It is ever amazing how much courage it takes to live an ordinary life, but this exhibition hopes to cull and inspire in each viewer the motivation to embrace and own the good, usher it into their day to day and make the next year as well as decade one of positivity and strength.
Brian Ulrich vs. Alex Leme
Both Brian Ulrich and Alex Leme search and explore the content of billboards and signs while driving aimlessly through America , from the Bible Belt to the sidewalks of South Beach.Brian does the Dark Stores, Thrift and Copia series for which he showcases, gone out of business empty store fronts demonstrating, reflecting and signaling our current state of the economy. Alex uses subtext of his images demonstrate how far some fundamentalist religious institutions are willing to go to recruit new members and to warn their followers of the lure of the adult entertainment industry which threatens their faith.
Mickalene Thomas vs. Nadine Rovner
A retro, seventies atmosphere dominates the work of Mickalene Thomas and Nadine Rovner. Whereas Rovner captures a suburban world in a painterly, romantic fashion, Thomas takes a more urban look. She utilizes the female members of her family to revisit the black exploitation movement in an urban, sassy, yet endearing manner.
Hank Willis Thomas vs. Cara Phillips
Hank Willis Thomas uses race and social politics via iconic, tongue in cheek imagery. He is able to make fun in an enlightening manner. Thomas’ work is dominated by skin’s surface impressions, which directly contrasts Cara Phillips’ Ultraviolet Beauties. Phillips literally gets under the skin of her subjects and exposes them for what lurks beneath. Each individual is pictured in their current state, but with the exercise of ultraviolet violet on them she shows the skin beneath and reveals the traces of what will be visible on the surface as they age.
Amy Elkins vs. Molly Landreth
Amy Elkins’ Wallflower series addresses and brings out the vulnerable, and at times feminine, factor in male portraiture. Molly Landreth travels across America and encounters along the way gay, lesbian and transgender living at times flamboyant and at times quite pedestrian in the most remote and conservative regions of America.
Matthew Pillsbury vs. Kris Graves
Matthew’s sensibility travels from the most mundane and ordinary to the opulent and results in sublime imagery, great composition and surreal lighting effects. The human figure is at times present in the form of an insinuated shadow or silhouette, a reflection of how fast paced and of the moment everyday life can be to most of us. Kris Grave’s spaces suggest emptiness, at times decay, solitude, absence and the former and no longer present existence of human figures in a space.
Phil Toledano vs. Elizabeth Fleming
Phil Toledano’s Days with my Father series deals with family dynamics, the relationship between him and his father, aging and the last days of his father’s existence. Elizabeth Fleming’s Family matters deals with the life endearing facts of raising a child of her own.
Zoe Strauss vs. Ruben Natal-San Miguel
Zoe Strauss’ beat is mostly the streets of Philadelphia and America . There she chooses to photograph the harsh, raw and very real times of the underprivileged and poor. This is life as it really happens. The underbelly that few want to dive into, but most be on the forefront of the collective conscious. Yet, as dark as streets such as these can be, Ruben Natal-San Miguel finds the brighter moments. In a parallel socioeconomic area in upper Manhattan, he finds children playing, laughter, community and pride.
Jen Davis vs. Eric Ogden
Eric Ogden’s phenomenally beautiful work is populated by celebrity, glamour and the grand lifestyle in staged settings that the common man will never know, yet somehow you can see yourself there and if it was not Penelope Cruz peeking through the window, if it was Jane Doe, the scene would be as powerful, lush and tantalizing. Converse in subject, but on par in beauty and sentiment, Jen Davis utilizes self-portraits in domestic, humble, everyday settings
Michael Wolf vs. Gina Levay
It does not get more distinctly opposite then when looking at Michael Wolf and Gina LeVay. Wolf quite literally captures the lives of those living and working in the air. Suspended high above ground level, they are wrapped in air, sky and light. LeVay takes her camera underground in her Sandhogs series and brings to the surface an occupation that is a way of life. Sandhogs are miners who work 800 feet below the streets of Manhattan, tunneling bedrock to create the largest capital project in New York City’s history, the 60 mile City Water Tunnel #3. While Wolf’s subjects are in the middle of weather systems, LeVay’s might have no idea at all what is happening in the world above them.
Friday, January 1, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010 !
Goodbye 2009!
Alex Leme, ADULTERY, 2009
Matthew Pillsbury-Names Withheld, HBO's Rome, Thursday Oct 13th 2005, 12 - 12:50am, 2005
Eric Ogden, Gents
archival pigment print , 2009
Jen Davis, untitled
Chromogenic Print , 2005
The New Year 2010 already started on a high note.
Alex Leme, ADULTERY, 2009
1. The Culture Hall show titled 2010: A New Year with Photographs curated by Ruben Natal-San Miguel is up and looks terrific. Go and check out the intersting works of Alex Leme, Gina LeVay, Matthew Pillsbury and Carlo van Der Roer.
Matthew Pillsbury-Names Withheld, HBO's Rome, Thursday Oct 13th 2005, 12 - 12:50am, 2005
You can see it here: http://culturehall.com/index.html
2. On January 7, 2010, is the grand opening of VERSUS @ Hous Projects also curated by us truly. The works of 18 great photographers!
Don't miss it. The Opening night hours will be extended till 10:30 PM, yes folks so, you all have time to see, look compare, meet the artists and be able to discuss the show while you sip your glass of wine without having people trying to kick you out! A real NYC opening not , the standard nonsense of closing at 8:PM.
Eric Ogden, Gents
archival pigment print , 2009
************************************VERSUS************************************
Jen Davis, untitled
Chromogenic Print , 2005
3. Then it comes PhotoLA January 14-17. Hous Projects will be showing works of some of the artists from VERSUS . Nadine Rovner, Jen Davis, Eric Ogden, Gina LeVay, Mickalene Thomas, Cara Phillips and Ruben Natal San Miguel will be part of the art fair. The part of the curated booth will be titled WOMEN of VERSUS. The idea behind it it is to promote the VERSUS show on the West Coast and the opening of the new Hous Projects Los Angeles gallery.
I might hop on the plane and go too to start the NEW YEAR with some milage!
Ruben Natal-San Miguel- It's Glamour Break 2, Harlem USA, 2009
C-Print
I will be very busy for the next weeks but, I wanted to take time to wish you all a very prosperous , healthy, full of sustained fabulousness HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Looking forward a New Year full of new Photography Art!
Big love!!!
Ruben
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Feliz Navidad!
There is a lot to be thankful for and wanted to take a moment to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I had been very very busy lately working on and for new great things happening in 2010!
Starting the year there is two shows that us truly is curating.
One is for Culture Hall featuring photographers Gina LeVay, Phil Toledano, Matthew Pillsbury and Carlo van Der Roer. This is the January 2010 feature. Thanks David and Tema Stauffer for asking me.http://culturehall.com
Two is VERSUS @ Hous Projects Opening January 7, 2010 and running till March 8, 2010. This a monster show with some of the most talented photographers of this time, who I love to collect their work and whose photographs are making a mark and are very influential in the current history of Contemporary Photography. Special thanks to Elizabeth Houston and John Housman for the oportunity!
I can stop pinching myself of how fortunate Am of this opportunity of showing all these amazing work and artists. During the 2 month show duration, they will be artists talks and book signings so, stay tuned for more info,Please read the kind words from Brian Ulrich, one of the VERSUS artists wrote about me and the show. http://notifbutwhen.com/2009/12/versus/
I can stop pinching myself of how fortunate Am of this opportunity of showing all these amazing work and artists. During the 2 month show duration, they will be artists talks and book signings so, stay tuned for more info,Please read the kind words from Brian Ulrich, one of the VERSUS artists wrote about me and the show. http://notifbutwhen.com/2009/12/versus/
Thank you Brian!
Also , following the opening of VERSUS , VISUAL AIDS, Postcards From The EDGE, January 8-10, 2010. I donated a photograph of my own ...go and get it! I also always volunteered for the event so if you see me , say hello! It is a great cause!
For only $75.00 you get a one of the kind original piece of art and if you are good at guessing and know artists signature work you might go home with a good trophy!
Gia the Cat and I wish you all a Feliz Navidad, Buon Natale Merry Christmas
Happy Holidays! Thank you for all your support!
Best wishes & lots of love,
Ruben and Gia the Cat
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