shapeshifters tag feed: photography

what to do???

jaysoncarpenter — thu, 24 apr 2008 19:14:32 +0000

Today my life has been changed for a lifetime. I dont really know for the good or the bad yet, but life certainly is different. For the past three days Ive been working with Make-A-Wish Bombay, these tireless workers spend long days doing what ever they can to grant the wish of a sick child. I feel honored to work along side these amazing men and women in an attempt to document their remarkable deeds. Working with the Bombay chapter has been a real eye opener, weve been documenting children with all kinds of ailments including Aids, Cancer and Tumors in Bombays Government Hospitals. These are free for the most poor and most needy people of India. Im really having a lot of mixed emotions about the whole experience, on one hand we really did do some good, I was able to document some astoundingly happy children that really have nothing more than what we brought them. Just the look on there face was enough to bring tears to my eyes. On more than one occasion I had to do everything I could to hold it back the tears and keep shooting. But on the other appalled, by the amount of filth and conditions that these hospitals had. I witnessed some unbelievable events and feel ashamed in repeating them because their was nothing I could do.

Upon entering the hospitals immediately I was greeted with security, I got the feeling that photographers generally are not welcome and their job was more to keep people like me (photographers) out than keep the peace. Government hospitals in India have quite a reputation.

We made our way down a dark hallway the smell was my sense greeted to things not being quite right. The smell of urine in a hot confined space is unmistakable as my eyes adjusted to the darkness and my nose to the foul stench I realized that this was not going to be what I expected. The dirt on the floor was so thick you could make out where the traffic of peoples bare feet had been flowing in the edges litter and debris mixed in with the filth guiding your journey deeper inside. As we approached our first corner thick red spit called pan painted the walls. It would be Americas version of chewing tobacco, but in a red form. I was confused, this couldnt possibly be.

As we reach the pediatric ward I was feeling a bit uneasy of what may be in store for me. But after entering the ward one by one smile after smile we were greeted. Even through all of the pain these childrens endured their day was made by the small token of a gift. Their smiles were genuine, honest without greed or strings pure to the core.

One child was lying alone, in the corner next to a window with oxygen flowing through a make shift housing. It was an old plastic round ice cream container with a neck hole cut out and a tube with oxygen attached at the top. My heart broke, He couldnt have been for than three, his small chest rose and fell rapidly in the heat. It was very clear he was dieing. I think it disturbed me the most that he was along no one was with him. While this child lay unconscious we made the wishes of two other child that were positive for HIV. in the bed next to him.

Torn on one hand Im their to make Make-A-Wish look good with happy children but on the other feeling like I must document what I was seeing to share with the world in the name of change. For the most part my images are of happy children sprinkled with a bit of truth. The images I chose to post here are the truth as I saw it.. Very different than the happy images I delivered to make a wish..

It so many ways this is the embodiment of India, the good and the bad, the rich and the poor, the evil and the sublime all rolled up in one big ball of wax. Even as I was appalled by the conditions in the hospital I realize that with out this institution, these souls would have no where to go and surely no chance of survival. It seems that the world isnt always black and white but a constant changing of grays..

Here's the link...

http://www.jaysoncarpenter.com/proofs/children

75

binary1 — sat, 05 apr 2008 09:58:37 +0000

75, http://75.co.za , is collaborative photographic project --- you might find inspiration, ;-)

*shameless plug --- but sharing is caring right?

All African Image Library

ericpoe — sun, 30 mar 2008 22:10:34 +0000

http://www.africanpictures.net is the only online marketplace I know of that features exclusively African photographers. I have found amazing work on their site. Here is what they say about themselves in their mission statement: "AfricanPictures has a vision to enable picture buyers and photographers to have access to each other so that African photographers can tell Africa´s story on the international stage."

Location Scout in NYC

ericpoe — sun, 30 mar 2008 21:59:32 +0000

Carla Houde is a location scout in New York. This is her US phone number just in case you need local help to find amazing places:+1 917 749 1599. I got to know her as a great photographer and do know that she has great spaces in her portfolio.

design indaba contact?

flofo — mon, 01 oct 2007 18:56:57 +0000

hi,

i think the conference desdign indaba in cap town would be a perfect place to present my last photoproject ( http://evolutionlab.net/gods.htm there some of the pictures).
do anyone know somebody there, i could contact?

thanks,
florian

Exhibition in Public Space

flofo — thu, 06 sep 2007 09:08:11 +0000

YOU ARE GODS is a photo-project I have produced earlier this year in Ghana. It is a series of portraits and deals with western asserted values and sanctimoniousness. Part of the idea is that it has to be shown on public places, on billboards etc, to get a discussion going.
You will understand why when you see the pictures, I have put some of them in here:
http://evolutionlab.net/gods.htm

I am not experienced in organising thinks like this, neither in getting sponsors or checking the places, getting the permits, partners and so on.
So I'm asking for someone who could help me with these things.

Every western city would be good for this project!
(Peters place in front of the Vatican would be perfect, but that might be asked too much)

The whole set consists of 80 portraits, respectively 25 different text-boards.
Not all of them has to be shown, but 25 would be great.

It would be great if anyone likes the idea and would like to help to realise it.

florian fossel

Here is a text Stefan Ortis wrote on the project:

At first glance this serial of portraits seems to be a random compilation of people of all ages, social classes and different ethnics. There is not even a prevalent mood to be seen in their facial expression. They appear serious or smiling, some doubting or shy and others looking offensive or even hostile.
However, what serves as a link between them all are those gaudily painted signs. We recognise quotes from the New Testament but they seem modified, somehow manipulated. Some arrangements correlate perfectly with the content while others seem to be totally out of sense. Some do have a nice calligraphy while others are giving us the impression of having been done on computers long outdated. Is there a connection between the attendees and the signs they are holding? We are compelled to look for a link between the face we see and the message we read. In a few cases the expression is corresponding with the lines. But in others what we might see are the innocent eyes of a child heralding hell on earth.

What the artist is showing us is an ironic perspective on the ambivalence of our existence. Islamic leaders interpret the Koran and manipulate its suras in order to drive their disciples into a holy war. The leader of the mightiest Christian nation generalizes the word of Jesus when saying Who that is not with us, is against us in order to start a worldwide conflict beyond compare. But we dont seem to notice this schizophrenia within our civilisations. The pope is on best terms with that American warlord. Together they spread salvation and so called western values in their Christian terminology.

In Ghana in West Africa anyone who has his own little shop puts a bible quote in front of it. God will provide Supermarket. Higher Authority Beauty Parlour, Holy Spirit in Charge Communication Centre, Innocent Blood - Chop Bar. What becomes obvious is the omnipresence of Christian terminology in everyday life. But the gap between words and action cannot be neglected. So we may find a devote churchman unscrupulously having sex with his neighbours wife. May he be the one holding the sign, Love thy neighbour as thyself? This is when the present work turns into a bewildering dialogue of contradiction.

This serial of photos can therefore be seen as highly amalgamated impression of one country. Beyond that, seen in the artists ironical way however, it is a metaphysical depiction of the world we live in.

ortis

Netherland and Austria

aliceramos — wed, 25 jul 2007 16:31:09 +0000

At 29 july I am going to Netherland and in 10, 11 and 12 of august I will be at Austria and would love to meet other Shapeshifters! I am on tourism but will take my portifolio with me to contact with galleries. If you could help me with names of people, places and galleries that I should know, please, write me!

If you want to know more about my work, please, visit;
http://www.aliceramos.com.br

Pecha kucha -- an inspiring experience!

Nicola — fri, 20 apr 2007 01:46:55 +0000

Looking for a little architectural/design/photographic/artistic inspiration or interaction?

I recommend a visit to a pecha kucha night -- I had my first taste when one was held in Auckland recently and found a packed room of various creative worlds happily colliding, sharing and mixing.

The pre-arranged participants in pecha kucha were given the chance to tell the crowd about their design, new building, piece of furniture, photographs or thoughts they wished to share.

They did this with twenty images, and each image was shown for 20 seconds. People talked along with their slides, one guy played some music.

Presenters (and much of the audience) were from the design, architecture, photography, art and creative fields.

It was a fantastic way to see what was happening Auckland, and meet other creative people.

These events, orginally started in Tokyo by a British architect, are run around the world, and participation is encouraged by anyone who has something to show or say.

I'm sure there would be plenty of shapeshifters who would enjoy an outing to one of these!

Check out their international homepage : http://www.pecha-kucha.org/

Depressingly good

vheeringa — mon, 16 apr 2007 10:33:47 +0000

I recently came across this incredible artist whose work is so good I did nothing else last night but look at his web site - and get incredibly down about things! Check it out:
http://www.chrisjordan.com.
Does anyone know him? He is amazing. As a kid I was always trying to translate numbers into things: so many bricks in a wall equals 1000; so many threads in a jumper equals 100,000. That sort of nerdy stuff. Chris Jordan uses his ability to reflect large numbers in such a wonderful visual form - but with a point. All his work highlights the waste of consumerism. It's very sobering to see so many plastic shopping bags in one place; and that just represents five seconds across the US.
If anyone knows Chris I'd be thrilled to be introduced. Otherwise I will cold call his email.

Postcard edition

susi — mon, 19 mar 2007 19:48:49 +0000

A friend of mine is planning a postcard edition of photographs she took in the last years. Does anybody out there have any experiences with the production and distribution of postcard editions?

we love magazines

milo — sun, 17 dec 2006 14:57:49 +0000

as i'm addicted to magazines for a long time now, i recommend one of my most important blogs, the one of jeremy leslie: http://magculture.com/blog - he once did the book "magCulture" and is currently involved in another great project i whant you to know: colophon 2007, international magazines symposium in luxembourg: http://colophon2007.com - i will be there. if you are involved into publishing or graphic-design, if you are working as an editor, journalist, photographer or you are simply in love with magazines, this will be the place to be in 2007.

the added image shows the cover of one of my alltime favourites: "purple journal" http://purple.fr/journal.php

Brazil meets Namibia

storytracker — thu, 07 dec 2006 17:42:38 +0000

Shapeshifters in action: Alice Ramos, a Brazilian photographer, was contacted by The National Gallery of Namibia where she will have her first international exhibition in 2007.

Alice Ramos from Salvador has a photo portfolio that includes chubby women and homeoerotic images. Alice wrote an interaction posting on shapeshifters, asking for suggestions for spaces to exhibit her work internationally. The director of the National Art Gallery of Namibia saw her posting and invited her to exhibit in Windhoek in April 2007.

Here is Alice's sucess story in her own words:

The director of the National Art Gallery of Namibia wrote to me after seeing my site through Shapeshifters and invited me to show my exhibitions there. Isn't it fantastic? He seems to be a lovely person. I must thank Shapeshifters for linking friends of friends and giving us confidence and trust the people with whom we are writing. Wow, go to Africa is a dream to meet people like mine in Brazil that have lots of social problems but also a happy spirit. I hope I can share all my passion and art with other people.

Call: ICEBOX 02 A/V Art Festival

netbek — sat, 21 oct 2006 09:11:25 +0000

Hi everyone,

Just to introduce a project I'm working on, and to invite you to take part.

Kind regards,
Hein Bekker (Coordinator)

...

ICEBOX is a collaborative festival of contemporary creativity in audio/visual art. With the focus on the electronic, open and South African, the festival combines music, film, video and interactive media through a programme of screenings, multimedia performances, club nights, workshops and an online exhibition.

Liquid Fridge, partnered by MTKidu and rustpunk, presents ICEBOX 02 in February/March 2007 in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa. The festival is calling for the participation of established and emerging South African and international artists and professionals working in a broad range of disciplines including electronic music, sound art, digital film, animation, photography, video art, graphic design, interactive and generative media, Net art, video game art and electronics.

Supported by CAPE Africa Platform and Creative Commons South Africa.

Web: http://www.liquidfridge.co.za/icebox

Screenings

ICEBOX is open for submissions of short-form narratives, documentaries, music videos, experimental motion graphics and recorded visual performances. Visit http://www.liquidfridge.co.za/?p=icebox_02_screen for further information and the entry form.

Online Exhibition

Interactive media, generative art, Net art and other forms using Director, Flash or Java software, as well as digital photography, illustration and graphic design work, may be entered for the online exhibition and a live presentation at ICEBOX. Visit http://www.liquidfridge.co.za/?p=icebox_02_web for further information and the entry form.

Club Nights

The ICEBOX sound system promises a selection of DJ'd and live retro-tech-future-funk rather difficult to define. Overlay a hearty serving of videoboxing and performing pixels, and you have an eclectic evening where the notions of "underground" and "overground" are irrelevant. We are looking for DJ sets, band and electroacoustic performances, VJ/video performances, and various styles in between. Visit http://www.liquidfridge.co.za/?p=icebox_02_events to learn more.

Workshops

To facilitate exchange between the traditional creative practices and electronic subcultures, ICEBOX invites presentations, performances, demonstrations, discussion panels and hands-on experiments in all disciplines. Visit http://www.liquidfridge.co.za/?p=icebox_02_events to learn more.

Book Lounge

mdoozie — wed, 18 oct 2006 10:45:34 +0000

Hi Everyone. justAthot is a company created here in Johannesburg to create place for coming together for artists to meet, exchange ideas and speak as one voice without doubt or fear.

The priority right now is our book lounge. We have started a collection of books including African literature, international politics, motivational and poetry books.

We are looking for interaction. We have not really come across Science Fiction books and would be happy if anyone could send us books as we are an NGO.

Anyone interested in putting a hand in assisting us in this great adventure, please come forward and donate any sort of book that you may feel would be relevant for this cause.

We hope this project encourages South African youth to have confidence in their own culture, know who they are, dream and start to persue their dreams like everyone else in the world. We would appreciate donations from international sources as after all, they are looking at the issue of our struggle as outsiders.

If anyone has anything to send us:

quotes can be sent to: mdubana@ananzi.co.za

books can be sent to this address:
justAthot
no.2049
Anaboom Crescent
Midrand
Johannesburg
2001

For more information on the book lounge, call our office line:
+27 72 744 5183
speak with Mdu.

Amani

Stephen Bantu Biko's vision was to free a black man from the enslavement of their own minds, show him how unique he is and encourage him to take on the world.

just to throw a cliche on you people:
"A READING NATION IS A WINNING NATION". I believe this statement is valid.

Gallery in London for photography

Stu — tue, 17 oct 2006 04:38:12 +0000

Hi, does anyone know of any cool photography fine art galleries in London that they have actual connection to, or contact with?
I'm really wanting to show there (I'm based in Australia), and whilst I could Google this info, thought I'd put it to you good folk.
I've been a photographer for a long time, but this will be my first fine art show outside Oz, therefore, I don't have an extensive CV to back me up.
I suppose what I'm asking is, does anyone know any cool galleries that are interested in the work, not just the hefty CV?

Cheers