Brazilian Press


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photograph, March/April 2010

"Eye on the Scene" by Reuel Golden

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March in New York is gearing up to be an exciting time for photography dealers and collectors. In addition to AIPAD, The Armory Show, ADAA, and other concurrent fairs, there are gallery openings, artist talks, curator lectures, auction previews, and walking tours. Just in time for this busy period, photograph has produced a special supplement, photographNYC, which includes exhibitions and maps as well as a March calendar-also found in this issue-highlighting the fairs, events, and programs taking place in New York. PhotographNYC is being distributed at key venues throughout the city. Meanwhile, our Web site, photographmag.com, will be updated with the latest information.

Down south, another important photography event is Houston's Fotofest (March 12-April 25). The biennial festival features numerous exhibitions, workshops, and curatorial forums, not to mention its highly lauded portfolio reviews. Of particular interest are the four principal exhibitions, showcasing "diverse and provocative perspectives on current U.S. photography," according to Wendy Watriss, co-founder and artistic director. Speaking of Fotofest as a whole, Watriss observes that "people look forward to discovering new talent as well as the national and international contacts and connections they can make with professionals and people from 28 countries."

Two galleries in New York, one brand new, the other reopening in a different location, are focusing on work from Brazilian and Russian artists respectively, offering further evidence of the globalization of the photography market. The 1500 Gallery, located at 511 West 25th Street, is representing emerging and established Brazilian artists and mounting exhibitions of work with a conceptual relationship to the country. The gallery is founded by Alexandre Bueno de Moraes, who owns a photo production company and photographers' agency, and Andrew S. Klug, a former corporate lawyer. The inaugural show, which runs until May 1, is a group show aptly called Brazilian. The Nailya Alexander Gallery, meanwhile, has re-opened in the Fuller Building at 41 East 57th Street, focusing on contemporary American and European photography. The first exhibition, Alexey Titarenko: St. Petersburg in Four Movements, runs until April 24.

Up north in Boston, Glenn Ruga replaces James Fitts as executive director at Boston University's PRC (Photography Resource Center), founded in 1976. "The number one challenge for any non-profit, and particularly a cultural organization, in today's economic climate is sustainable funding," says Ruga. "The second challenge is staying focused on maintaining a solid commitment to the PRC's mission of recognizing and supporting photographers who are at the forefront of the medium."

San Francisco dealer Jeffrey Fraenkel is at the forefront of the medium, too, but in this case it's the technological forefront. The recently launched Fraenkel Gallery iPhone App allows collectors instant one-touch access to a wide range of features tailored specifically to their iPhones. Details of Fraenkel's current and upcoming exhibitions, information about artists and their work, gallery publications, and the ability for the viewer to share images of specific works with friends and colleagues are just some of the available features. Fraenkel says that so far people have responded positively, though he adds, "The one thing I'm certain of is that even the most infinitely megapixel screen in the world can't replace the experience of looking at the print itself. I'm grateful for that."