Re: Must see Photography places in NYC

Doug, I'm a crank where taking time from my own work to go to galleries is
concerned, and therefore I trust you will take my advice advisedly (sorry
I can't offer my "museum" -- read "ready-for-the-compactor" site -- as I'm
on a crazed tear to finish about a year's work in time to get to the
printer in 3 weeks, while my computer senses my vulnerability and pulls a
new trick every day just to see me faint)...

That said, New York is a wonderful town, my favorite in case I haven't
mentioned that -- BUT it hasn't got much "alternative photography" and
except for the occasional star turn (eg Sally Mann uptown or John Coffer
in the East Village) most of the photography it does show is going to be
for instance Stephen Shore or Gursky or Struth or Wall, that is, LARGE
stuff, famous for being LARGE.

That said, I do recommend the Metropolitan Museum, the Metropolitan Museum
and the Metropolitan Museum... they even have interesting photography
shows from time to time, and the corridor leading to the photography
galleries for some reason ALWAYS seems to have a lovely show, prints and
early photographs outstanding among them. For some reason also, those
wall labels are well written and informative, not the usual graduate
silliness found in other temporary MM shows that can be very disruptive to
the equanimity of a crank...

But, and I've said this before, I think coming to New York for
*photography* is not your best use of time... at least most of what's
interesting in contemporary photography (to me, anyway) originated
elsewhere.

Nevertheless, I believe there's a show at MoMA now with one of those
legendary gum over platinums by Steichen that just sold at auction for $$$
with about 8 figures after the decimal point... and another show may still
be up, of John Szarkowski. I have the current issue of the Photo Review
Newsletter in front of me, listing shows by area... for NYC, I only marked
two (and I'm NOT going to get there). The first is Helen Levitt and Thomas
Roma, with "introductions by John Szarkowski" whatever that means, at
powerHouse, 68 Charlton Street.

Helen Levitt is, IMO, one of the most brilliant photographers of any time,
any place... Thomas Roma does not seem to me to be of that caliber (is
that tactful enough?) tho he does get Guggenheims....

I also marked and won't get to "Eric Renner and Nancy Spencer", "On Deaf
Ears," at Soho Photo until April 1. They're the couple who do the Pinhole
Jounal, which is full of great photography, & I assume their own work is
same caliber. The Soho Photo Gallery's "National Juried Krappy Kamera
Competition" is also on til April 1.

I remember something interesting at the NY Historical Society, but, sorry,
not what it was. If you get Friday's Times it has the gallery
listings, as does the New Yorker, and I suppose many online sources
including "Photography," which, last I heard had both hard copy and online
versions. Both "Photography" and "Gallery Guide" are often available free
in galleries, tho some galleries charge for them.

Think also about PS 1 in Queens for avant garde "mixed media", and the
Museum of the Moving Image, which I've never been to but manages quite
well without me... And a wealth of small museums, or kunst houses, one
for every religion and geography....

I doubt you'll find off the shelf "alt-photo" supplies -- or none that I
know of. For paper however, I'd visit upstairs at NY Central Artists
materials where David Aldera knows everything, and K&M on east east east
23 St used to sell some Light Impressions stuff, tho I haven't been there
in years. For conservation supplies TALAS on lower Broadway is good --
but all that I know of (except Philben for a gallon of gum arabic) is
easier by mail order...

& whatever you do, enjoy, enjoy,

Judy

On Mon, 6 Mar 2006, Douglas King wrote:

> I will be in NYC march 26-30th (my first visit. A search of the list
> archives revealed some great sources for info on galleries and
> exhibitions (picking which ones to see will be the problem, not
> finding galleries). If I wanted to spend a afternoon or a day
> browsing galleries is there a particular part of town folks would
> recommend.
>
> What about photo and alt-photo related business? Whats the best
> place(s) for old cameras or alt photo supplies. What would be your
> top 3 or 5 places to see?
>
> How about places with great opportunities for photography that I
> wouldn't find in a guide book.
>
> Anyone visiting Seattle I would be glad to return the favor.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Douglas King
>
>
Received on Tue Mar 7 10:23:29 2006