I found the slide photo above (taken by my father) during a recent visit with my parents. I asked my mom about it.
Photos die, unless we talk about them. Hello. My name is Todd Wemmer. Photosdie.com features audio interviews and field recordings related to photography. I use the term "related" loosely. I might say that everything is about photography. Or photography is about everything. I might also say that this site is really more about the talk that surrounds photography. Or the sounds that surround photography. So I am interested in the talk that surrounds the photograph more than the actual photograph itself. Or something like that. Half journalistic / half qualitative
When I talked to Lola Flash at SPE last March she gave a great plug for En Foco. I cut the En Foco part out of conversation to play on its own. For some reason I never posted it. I'm posting it now. You can hear my conversation with Lola Flash HERE. You can hear my conversation with Miriam Romais HERE. I'm going to PhotoExpo in New York (October) Hope to see En Foco (all of En Foco) there. I goal is to make 20 recordings over the 3 days I'm there.
Photo by Miriam Romais with cell phone!
(At SPE) So I ask Lola Flash if I can interview her. She says YES. BUT, this isn't really an interview. She knew the kinds of questions I'd probably ask. . .and answered them all before I could even ask one. I actually broke this into two pieces. The second part is Lola talking about her relationship with En Foco & Nueva Luz (coming soon). Miriam from En Foco took a photo (with cell phone!) of me recording Lola (below). The photo above (Shigi) is from Lola's [SUR]PASSING project. She talks about the [SUR]PASSING project in this recording. You can see and read about Lola's work at Lolaflash.com
Ania had a number of large prints spread out against a wall (and the floor if I recall) on Friday night at SPE. She told me about her project. I recorded it. Well, I guess that's a bit false. We talked about her work. . .I asked her if I could record her talking about her work the next day. Yes. Here it is. She talks about the projects the photographs (above) are from.
I spoke to Miriam about En Foco and Nueva Luz. Miriam presented (with Hannah Frieser & Ariel Shanberg) at SPE. The panel: In the Mix: Opportunities for Artists of Color. I talked to her the next day about En Foco and Nueva Luz. What I DID NOT talk to her about was her own work. My mistake Miriam. Next time. See her work HERE.
From En Foco's website: "For over 30 years, it has been in the forefront of documenting the artistic journeys created by artists often overlooked by the mainstream art world. Through our visual arts programs, including Nueva Luz photographic journal, artists are free to explore or reinvent cultural traditions, challenge preconceived notions, and engage audiences in a manner that honors all."
Joanne Kim is director of Photography Education and New Media at Venice Arts. Joanne was promoting Venice Arts and the Institute for Photographic Empowerment at SPE. We had this conversation. . . Joanne talks about Venice Arts and her own work. Take some time exploring the Venice Arts website. I especially enjoyed the interview with sisters Francesca and Alex Thomas. Hear it HERE.
Max Malone, B-29 Gunner, WW II
Brett was the first person I interviewed at SPE. It was morning. I had my recorder. Saw Brett standing by a table. I said, "hey, can I interview you for my podcast?" He said "sure." Brett is interviewing and photographing War veterans. Photo below is part of that project. Brett attends Metropolitan Community College.
One thing I wished I would have got on tape:
Brett: What's the quality of that recorder?
Me: Here, listen.
Brett: (with headphones on) That's straight up NPR.
Indeed. Would NPR interview Brett? And let him say all this wonderful stuff? NPR, you know I love you.
Ashely is one of three students I interviewed from Metropolitan Community College. I also interviewed their professor, Larry Gawel. Those interviews coming soon. Ashley discusses her process and the photos featured below.
I had this conversation with Emily Momohara (photographer & professor) after I saw one of the images from her Koden project during the In the Mix: Opportunities for Artists of Color panel discussion at SPE 08. Emily talks about Koden and her residency at The Center for Photography at Woodstock.
From Koden Artist Statement: " Through the use of shadows and funeral home settings, I create self-portraits that represent haunting aspects of those who have passed on." You can find the artist statement HERE.
