By Rotem Rozental Rotem Rozental (@rotroz) is web and blog editor for The Shpilman Institute for Photography and the Jerusalem Season of Culture, where she is also co-artistic director of We – Festi-Conference for Creative Collectives. Rotem is a PhD student at the art history department of Binghamton University, where she currently researchers the interrelations of Zionist photographic archives, nation-state and communication.  This post first appeared in Cyberology, leading up to Theorizing the Web 2013, organized by University of Maryland at CUNY, March 1&2, 2013. Follow the events on Twitter. In this year’s Theorizing the Web, I will present a research that originated from my preoccupation with volatile [...]

Yanai Toister’s exhibition Blueprint, which is currently on view at the Tel-Hai Open Museum of Photography (Curator: Naama Haikin), includes a selection of 80 works from the last decade, as well as a new series created for the exhibition: Untitled (Fuji 2012). In this series, Toister scanned apples that he had brought from Australia with a three-dimensional scanner. As the apples emerge from darkness and hover between abstraction and tangibility we are presented with what seems like photograms on the apples themselves. Like other series that he has shown in recent years, such as Keepers of Light or 9-Sheet Experiment, [...]

By Rotem Rozental Acclaimed film director Grant Gee is the keynote speaker of our upcoming event – Memorysacpe: The SIP Re/View #2: W.G. Sebald, in which he will discuss his multi-layered cinematographic essay, Patience (After Sebald) (2011). Gee first triggered global attention in 1996, when a short film he directed of the progressive house band Spooky was screened outside of the Pompidou Centre, as part of its re-opening. Later, Gee received a Grammy nomination for Meeting People is Easy, documenting Radiohead’s OK Computer tour from 1997. His unique visual interpretation to the tragic story of Joy Division (2006) won him [...]

By Rotem Rozental Visual explorations of sexuality, empty rooms, abandoned businesses, old newspapers on a wooden floor – photographer Kate Peters continuously brings absences to the fore while examining what society defines as its outskirts. Those absences in the social landscape are manifested as vibrant by Peters’ lens; the viewer cannot overlook their undeniable presence which does not aim at erasing their anonymity. Their presence and absence from society’s focal point co-exist. Peters is a British photographer, currently living and working in London. Since 2002, she has been taking part in exhibitions and publications, in addition to receiving several awards. [...]

By Rotem Rozental Spencer Murphy’s photographic work lies between the edges; of geographical locations, epistemological conditions of the mind, political extremities and imagined landscapes. In the midst of these emerges his gentle, almost empathetic portraiture. This photographic signature may relate to his childhood in the Kentish countryside, which he describes as relatively isolated. That sense of isolation is evident in many of his projects, which include contributions to numerous publications and magazines, as well as exhibitions and awards. Here is how he relates to his practice and inspirations: What was the first image you ever took? I find it hard [...]

By Rotem Rozental At first glance, it seems that J. Wesley Brown’s photographic works identify themselves with the local; a certain street, a certain city, a certain narrative. A second look reveals the emotional geography which they aim to portray. It is a locality of emotion, situated amidst the private and the public. Spanning from Spain to Los Angeles, Brown’s works are frequently presented in exhibitions, and during the last couple of years have also won him several awards. He is also known in the online arena for both of his blogs: We Can Shoot Too, devoted to photography in [...]

By Rotem Rozental Jörg M. Colberg ventured into the world of photography and art almost by chance. He was actually an astrophysicist from Germany, who found his way to the US after completing his PhD studies. In 2002, only 3 years after he picked up a camera for the first time, he launched Conscientious, which has since become a leading force in the arena of art photography blogs. His texts  appear frequently in international magazines, he takes an active part in review panels and as of 2010, Colberg is also a faculty member of The International Limited-Residency MFA Photography Program [...]

By Rotem Rozental Photograph by Alon Segal Observing No doubt that this week’s biggest photography news which caused the World Wide Web to retaliate with a vengeance, was the new Lady Gaga glasses, created and manufactured in collaboration with Polaroid. What? You mean to tell me you didn’t know Gaga was named Polaroid’s creative director last April? Well, you know, a girl needs to find a way to pay the bills around here. Last week, Gaga and Polaroid’s Bobby Sager unveiled sunglasses that take digital photographs and also print them on the spot. This triggered comments not only from photography bloggers [...]

By Rotem Rozental Photograph by Alon Segal We too feel the need to celebrate the fact that 2010 is now officially leaving us, in the hopes that 2011 will be even better. So, this week’s Reader is all about the viewing and reading essentials that conclude and summarize 2010, as well as some treats awaiting us in 2011. Here goes: Remembering The New Yorker gives you the most memorable photography shows of 2011. From Alferd Steiglitz to Robert Frank, here’s a historical walk down photography’s memory lane. Documenting On a slightly different note, the New York Times concludes this year [...]

By Rotem Rozental Photograph by Alon Segal Retrospecting This is the first time in which the works of pioneering video artist Nam Jume Paik are featured in a UK retrospective exhibition. Initiated by Tate Liverpool and FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) the exhibition displays works from all phases of Paik’s career – many of them shown in the UK for the first time. The later works, by the way, are the ones on display at FACT. In case you need to get your juices running, here are some reading materials and viewing essentials about this unique artist and composer. [...]

By Rotem Rozental Pieter Wisse is not just a photographer. He represents an example of the 21st century player active in the visual field; both on and offline. Apart from his own photographed endeavors – he recently published a book entitled I Believe in 88 –he is the owner of the Four Eyes Photography & Art, a gallery and book store that also publishes the Four Eyes Photography Magazine. In his blog, 500 Photographers, Wisse shows the works of 5 photographers a week. The goal? To create an online archive of photography in 100 weeks. Wisse started the endeavor on [...]

By Rotem Rozental Photograph by Alon Segal Showcasing Andy Adams, the editor and publisher of the magnificent FlakPhoto.com blog was invited by Toronto-based Magenta Magazine to select two portfolios for their winter issue. The issue was launched last week along with Adams’ selections: I am Redundant by photographer Carrie Will and Road Ends at Water by Eliot Dudik. “I am redundant, half of a whole, a freak, identical and lucky”, writes Will, “The relationship I have with my twin sister is tightly woven, beautifully strange and difficult to explain”. Her portfolio exposes her and her twin, Rikki, in everyday moments [...]

Photography by Alon Segal Break A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of hosting photographer Robert Overweg (from the blog Shot by Robert) in our SIP / Filter section. In that interview, Overweg told us about his latest project – creating a virtual house in the physical world. Earlier this week, Overweg announced that he has succeeded in doing so. The project (created with the help of KOP, Breda, NL) aims at crossing borders and breaking the boundaries between architectural and virtual functionality. As in his other artistic endeavors, Overweg examines the intersections of our own perception. As you [...]

By Rotem Rozental Robert Overweg began to examine the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds in 2007, using the same technique to photograph in both spheres. Since then he has continued to develop this method, which has turned him into a true photographic visionary. He is also the first participant in our (exciting!) new section of interviews with photographers from all over the world. Here goes: What was the first image you ever photographed? The first photograph was of my parents when I was around ten years old. My first virtual photograph was either in s.t.a.l.k.e.r. or Counter-strike back in [...]

By Rotem Rozental Photograph by Alon Segal Mingling #1 While you’re sitting comfortably, reading this incredible Reader, keynote figures of the international art industry are running around like crazy; frantically trying to mingle, sip champagne and see just-one-more exhibition. Yes, The Frieze Art Fair is back. 1500 contemporary art galleries from around the globe are showcasing their artists and activities in London’s Regent Park, alongside commissioned projects, daily debates and two specially curated music nights. This year’s commissioned projects include Spartacus Chetwynd performances based on a live game show, Nick Relph charity boxes (designed by several artists) and a Jeffery [...]

By Rotem Rozental Naked trees seen from the ground up, stretching thin arms to the skies; a man and a young boy wearing dull old clothes standing outside a barn, their smiles almost invisible; a wooden door to a wooden house, seemingly alone in the world. The wilderness depicted through John Szarkowski’s lens is the loneliest, most intimate place on earth. Szarkowski was not only influential because of his position as Director of Photography at the MOMA between 1962 and 1991. To this day he is considered by many to be one of the most important voices of photography and [...]

By Rotem Rozental Digital Launch Tom Eccles: How do you think technology has influenced the evolution of your work? Tony Oursler: I really felt that I was born at the right time to play with technology because I think that the moving image kind of passed into the hands of the every man. This week marked the launch of a new online project that might change our art-consumption habits, and it might not. It’s too soon to tell. However, the new AMDM – Adobe Museum of Digital Media aims to become a digital 24-7 artistic venue. Always open, always available. [...]

By Rotem Rozental During the last 15 years, photographer Alec Soth has been exploring individual lives throughout America, armed with a field camera. His interpretations of everyday Americana are fascinating – in terms of subtle narratives and visual conceptions alike. Should you find yourselves wandering the streets of Minneapolis for whatever reason, make sure to visit the first complete survey of his works exhibited in the U.S.: From Here to There: Alec Soth’s America, now showing at the Walker Art Center. Otherwise, you can just browse through the exhibition’s web page.   Joshua, Angola State Prison, Louisiana, 2002 Courtesy of the [...]

By Rotem Rozental Sexy People is a blog dedicated to you. Well, to your portraits actually. While offering a chance to flip through decades (60s-90s) or various categories (anything from hairdos to occasions), this blog uncovers individual lifestyles, some really amusing modes and most of all – it presents  a human puzzle, based on still photography. The concept is simple and that, perhaps, is the main reason that it works. This unusual endeavor is based solely on visual data that is sent in by users. There are no intricate headlines; only names (Sean and Mother, Ray), year and location. This [...]

By Rotem Rozental Global Event Video artist Artur Zmijewski will be curating the next Berlin Biennial which will take place in 2012. Artinfo reports that the Polish artist, mostly known for creating controversial video works, is the second artist to receive this sought after position (The forth biennial was curated by Maurizio Cattelan). Zmijewski, born in Warsaw in 1966, investigates social norms, power and politics through photography and film. Since his graduation from the Ritveld Academy in Amsterdam in 1999, he has participated in numerous solo and group projects around the globe. Judging by the importance of the event in [...]