Fellow Comrades

In order to honor our surrogate Soviet elders, I think we should take a minute or two away from our cameras and pick up a book.

Yes, not only am I condoning such an activity as reading, but I am actually encouraging you to do so.

I came across this book in the library the other day and have to admit that it's pretty damned interesting. Though the topics range, the majority of it discusses how amateur practices within the Soviet photographic community produced some pretty interesting results. I can imagine it was this disregard of the "rules" of photography that eventually culminated in the LC-A, but I can only speculate.

Last Second I Know

But totally worth it.

Tonight there's a panel discussion at ArtCenter's L.A. Times Theatre entitled "After Materiality and Style" which features a couple of my former professors. The discussion is going to focus on self-reflexivity and medium-specificity within photographic practices in recent years.

These are definitely smart people who know who they're talking about so it should be a worthwhile investment of your time.

To help ease my worried mind...

and maybe yours too.

I read the Daily Bruin today and came across an interview with Sir Ken Robinson. Apparently, he recently wrote a book called "The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything" and encourages the funding for arts education. As a fourth year college student, I'm completely enthralled with the idea of finding a job that I am passionate about while still being capable to support myself financially. Lucky for me, he's speaking at the Hammer as part of their lecture series on Wednesday (Jan. 28) at 7 p.m. and yes, it's FREE. I'm definitely attending because I need as much guidance (and hopefully encouragement) as I can get.

The Hammer link: http://hammer.ucla.edu/calendar/detail/type/program/id/126

Also, this is about a month away but the Hammer has another awesome-looking event. On February 25th, they're holding the "Flux Screening Series."

Here is the event's description straight from the flux website:

Flux Screening Series
February 25, 2009
8:00 pm screening, 10:00 pm after-party

Flux and the Hammer present an exciting quarterly series of special events showcasing innovative film and music with courtyard receptions. Last year’s inaugural series included leading artists Encyclopedia Pictura, Chris Milk, Shepard Fairey, Martin de Thurah, Spank Rock, Cat Solen, and more. What surprise guests will show up this year? Come to the first Flux event of the new year and find out.

Admission is free, RSVP is suggested (RSVP form will load below). Seating is first come, first served. RSVP does not guarantee seating. Box office opens at 6PM. Guests who arrive after the theater is full are welcome to join the outdoor reception.

The Museum is located at the northeast corner of Westwood and Wilshire Boulevards in Westwood Village, 3 blocks east of the 405 freeway’s Wilshire Boulevard exit.

Parking is available under the Museum. There is a $3 flat rate after 6:30 p.m.

Go to this website to RSVP (which is highly recommended):

http://flux.net/flux-screening-series-at-the-hammer-los-angeles-3

Always, Maggie

Camera Obscura...

is more than that little invention that eventually helped develop the world known as photography. It's been a well-kept secret in Santa Monica, until now. Well, maybe.

I was perusing a book in the Central Library's gift shop (go figure) in downtown L.A. and came across a fun little adventure. Apparently a senior home has a dark little room to view pictures in a unique fashion. According to the Walk in the History of Santa Monica(pdf) I found online, "Upstairs is the Camera Obscura which preceded the camera in portraying current images." The Camera Obscura "was developed by the Chinese in 5th Century B.C. The quality was improved in the 16th Century A.D. by the addition of the convex lens in the aperture and a mirror to reflect the image down on the viewing surface. In the 19th century, the ordinary camera was invented by placing a sheet of light sensitive paper on the viewing surface." It's on 1450 Ocean Blvd. in Santa Monica and noted SO MANY times in that book and sites online that it was once a huge attraction and now no one hardly ever goes. I want to check out this room for myself, and maybe say hi to the old folks. :)

Oh and if you ever want an easy way to look up the bus routes and the numbers of the bus you need, go to metro.net. You just type your address and the address of your destination. It has saved my life numerous of times and helps me go on my adventures.

-Maggie

Trip to the Library

Stumbled across this the other day.

Yet again the internet produces something constructive.

Like A Freakshow...

But with artists instead of bearded ladies.



This coming weekend is the 14th Annual Los Angeles Art Show at the LA Convention Center. Imagine Bergamot Station, on steroids. Hopefully that description is enough to get you interested. But for those who need further convincing, several dozen galleries from all over the world (and the immediate area) will be showcasing work from a range of artists in all mediums.

It'll set you back $20 at the door, but if you go to the Show's website you can get a $5 coupon to print out.

Something like this doesn't happen too often, so definitely worth the time and investment.

About Time

I'm going to hurt somebody if this doesn't happen.

Come One, Come All

So Saturday January 24th is USC's Masters of Fine Arts Open Studios and I highly recommend checking it out. I'm interning for one of the grad students (Alyse Emdur) so I know everyone is batting down and getting ready for the big day. It's going to be a lot of fun, so come check out some art, listen to some funky beats, grab some food, and even join in on the ping pong tournament that'll be going on in Emily Mast's studio. The fun starts at 4:00 and will rocking on till midnight.



And in equally exciting news, our fellow Lomographers of The Plastic Tourist group are having an opening themselves the same evening. Theirs is up in Pasadena at the Touche Salon (548 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena CA 91101) from 7:00 to 9:00 (more details when I get them). Personally, I'll be making one fail swoop between the two. So if you want to join in on the adventure I'm sure we can work out some sort of travel arrangements.



Fair Winds

I <3 It Too

though i'm sure on some level this is blogging suicide, i'm going to go ahead and promote someone else's blog.



it's a great source for being introduced to new photographers. it's updated on a fairly regular basis with guest bloggers every so often and wednesdays are typically archival post days. so be sure to check it out and see what's going on in the photo world today.