Madonna to appear in TinHouse

"Madonna with lions and bicycle," Tim Connor, All rights reserved

No, not that Madonna. I mean the one in my picture (above) from Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. It sold to TinHouse, a very cool literary magazine published in Portland, OR. It will illustrate a personal essay set in Brooklyn, called "True Believer," by writer Charles D'Ambrosio. I can't wait to see it (September issue)

"Wall dogs" featured in NY Times

" 'Contagion' painters," Tim Connor, All rights reserved

Today's New York Times slide show, called 'Wall Dogs' With Paint,' by Evan Sung, shows a wall mural painter at work. I photographed a wall dog crew, called Art FX Murals, doing similar work painting movie ads onto a 20-story blank wall.

See the results in my book, Big Movies.

See more of the pictures here.

Entering "Exposure 2011" contest

"Painting 'The Town,' " Tim Connor, All rights reserved

The picture above is part of a portfolio I'm submitting in the "cityscape" category of a competition called "Exposure 2011."

See my portfolio here.

Read what I wrote about my pictures:

"I first saw these images through the 12th-floor window of my office in Manhattan. Gigantic in scale, they appeared on the outer wall of a 21-story-high office tower a few blocks uptown and gradually took shape against the sky. First they were colored paint in seemingly random patterns. Then they became star-crossed lovers; machines at war; bank robbers dressed as sinister nuns; a bulldog as big as an elephant.

What surprised me most about these images – really they are nothing more than wildly scaled-up movie ads – is how disconcertingly intimate they can be. At this size – the size of a city building -- they transfigure my neighborhood skyline like a new slide clicking onto the wall in a dimly lit room.

The images are created by an intrepid team of mural artists (artfxmurals.com), who sketch and paint each poster with rollers and large brushes in a day or two, then, after the movies have opened, crank their scaffolds up and down the wall again, whitewashing everything. I’ve been photographing this process for over three years.

The light in Manhattan changes quickly, especially above the rushing street-level canyons, which fill with shadow early. I love all the manifestations of this New York light, but most of all -- for this project -- I love it at the end of day. As darkness gathers below in the grumbling rush hour streets, I'm blown away by these fierce (and/or silly) outsized fantasies, thrusting insistently into the light . Sometimes I enjoy imagining them as visitations from our cultural gods. Other times I'm just glad they make us look up and forget ourselves for a moment."

Preview the book from which the portfolio is taken.

Good news

"Madonna with gas and electric," Tim Connor, All rights reserved

At yesterday's auction for the Winter Summer Institute this photo at 6" x 8"(snappier in the print) sold for $220. Asking price was $150. Other two pix (see yesterday's post) also sold for suggested first bid or above.

Yay!

Are movies "cursed"? Are photographs?

"Tim at 'Beast' opening," Lucy Winner phone cam

Saturday's opening of the show "Beast," in which I had two photos, was a big success. In the picture above, taken at the gallery, I can be seen crossing in front of one of my photos, the one titled "Esther."

Today a lady from the gallery called to tell me that last night the "Esther" picture inexplicably fell off the wall, shattering the glass in the frame & gouging the print. Part of a series of gigantic building-sized ads for upcoming movies that I've been photographing for several years, "Esther" advertised a movie called "Orphan." The tagline read, "Something is wrong with Esther."

Let me explain.

In the movie Esther is a strangely beautiful child adopted by a couple who are grieving their recently stillborn baby. These parents think Esther is nine years old, but in fact she's a 33-year-old woman named Leena Klammer who suffers from hypopituartisim, which has stunted her growth. Esther has escaped from an asylum for the criminally insane & is making her way across the country, posing as a little girl. Along the way she has committed a string of gruesome, bloody murders. In this movie she gets angrier & angrier. First, she kills an unfortunate nun & then the good-hearted husband. Finally, she tries to kill the wife and her two children. At the end of the movie Esther ends up getting kicked in the teeth by her new mommy & sinking beneath the surface of a frozen lake.

After all that, she must be really, really pissed, right? I mean poltergeist-smashing-glass-pissed? I mean psycho-killer-on-the-loose pissed? Am I right?

When the gallery lady reached me with the bad news, she said, "We couldn't figure out why the picture fell. The frame wasn't broken... In fact..." she said, it's as though... the picture... jumped off the wall."

Oh god...

"Beast" opens tonight!

If you're in the NYC area & free tonight, visit "Beast," a show opening from 6-10 pm at Brooklyn Artist's Gym. There'll be wine, good art & interesting people. I'll have two large photographs in the show.

Directions: BAG is at 168 7th Street, 3rd floor -- between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. On the border between Park Slope and Gowanus, that's only 3 blocks from the 4th Ave/9th Street stop for the F, G and R trains. There's plenty of parking. The show is in the same building as the Mac Support Store.

My photos in "Beast"

"Esther," Tim Connor, All rights reserved


"Blue eyes," Tim Connor, All rights

The two photos shown above will be in a show called "Beast," opening next Saturday, March 12, from 6-10 at the Brooklyn Artist's Gym, 168 7th St, 3rd floor in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn (it's only 2 blocks from the F, G & R train stop at 4th Ave/9th St). More info on the show is here. I'm really looking forward to this one. I'll be showing bigger prints than ever before. And I suspect that few if any of the other artists will be photographers. I'm anxious to see how the painters, sculptors & conceptual artists handle this theme.

Hope you can make it.

Big Movies: The Book?

"Hannibal 1 and 2," Tim Connor, All rights reserved

I've been photographing these painted "upcoming movie" ads on the building wall across from my office since 2008. It's been fun, an excuse to take a break from desk work. It's been as easy as shooting fish in a barrel! Now I'm suddenly realizing the series could make a book. See my earlier book here:

Outer Borough by Tim Connor | Make Your Own Book

I have to go back now & pull together my files. I've shot these pictures carefully but without much purpose. Time to see what I've got...

At my 45th high school reunion

Photo by Mitch Uzwack, All rights reserved

"Outer Borough," the book

Screenshot of my book, "Outer Borough," http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1144336

Here's my book "Outer Borough (you can virtually flip through its pages here.) You can buy it too -- 11" x 17" hardcover -- at cost, though unfortunately not cheap. Here are the images collected in a set on Flickr.

Cash & prizes

"Kitchen worker on break," Tim Connor, All rights reserved

This picture won Honorable Mention at Judson Church's 'New' New Yorkers show a few weeks ago. Today I got a check in the mail for $25. At different times in the past I've made modest amounts of money as a photographer, but I've never won prize money before.

Unlike most contests, Judson didn't charge an entry fee to compete. It did, however, offer small cash prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd places, as well as 3 honorable mentions. To me this felt honest & respectful . My prize, tiny as it was, actually meant something -- the way cash automatically does. And those who won nothing at least didn't have to swallow the minor humiliation of paying money to be ignored. In this case not winning wasn't the same thing as losing.

For more read my post at the time.

Pictures on the radio?

"Monster," Tim Connor, All rights reserved


"Roof line," Tim Connor, All rights reserved

WNYC's Brian Lehrer is supposed to talk about these 2 photos & others on his radio show tomorrow at 10 AM (93.9 FM) as part of a series on NYC architecture. For the 1st show in the series Lehrer gave video cameras to prominent architects & had them go out & tape & then talk about their favorite buildings. So he's doing interesting stuff with various media that gets his show out of the studio. Here's a slideshow they did last week.

The show my pictures will be in is getting its images from a Flickr group I joined, WNYC Cityscapes. When the producer asked for my permission, I said fine, OK, but -- um -- how can you show pictures on the radio? I knew it was a question that would make any 10-year-old nerd snicker uncontrollably, but photos - on - the - radio? Well, it's for a webcast [DUH!] for those who listen to the radio on their computers. So tomorrow (today actually, Tuesday), check it out if you can.

My photos to be included in 'New' New Yorkers show at Judson Church

"Handout man / Emma's Dilemma Deli, Tim Connor, All rights reserved

The young man shown above handing out fliers in Manhattan is one of nine of my street portraits of immigrants that will be included in an upcoming exhibit at Judson Church in Greenwich Village. The exhibit "...will showcase the works of area photographers aiming to capture the modern immigrant experience in New York City." Opening reception is Thursday, May 14th from 6-9 PM. For a preview of all the photos go here.

Here's the press release:

When: Thursday, May 14th, 2009 – 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Where: Judson Memorial Church Assembly Hall, 239 Thompson Street, Greenwich Village

NEW YORK, April 20, 2009 – Judson Memorial Church will host the “New” New Yorker Photo Exhibit and Reception on Thursday, May 14th from 6-9 p.m. This exhibition will showcase the works of area photographers aiming to capture the modern immigrant experience in New York City. Admission is free.

From December 2008 to March 2009, Judson invited amateur and professional photographers to participate in a competition designed to create a greater awareness and appreciation of New York's newest residents. What constitutes a “new” resident? The scope of that question produced many answers. All of the submissions Judson received highlight the experiences, challenges, and opportunities facing individuals from many cultures who now call New York City home. The images reflect and reaffirm New York as an environment that breaks down the idea of people being either “foreign” or “native.”

Visit http://www.flickr.com/groups/newnewyorker/pool to preview the photographs featured in the exhibit. The grand prize photo, plus three runner-up photos, will be chosen by a panel of Judson Memorial Church members. Grand prize winner receives $250, the runners-up receive $50 each, and all will be announced during the reception.

About Judson Memorial Church:
Based in Greenwich Village, Judson Memorial Church has long associated itself with artists working in many media. Judson’s current programs include work with the New Sanctuary Movement for immigrant rights and a "community ministers" program that trains future clergy on how to involve congregations in social-change activities. Judson Church maintains an anti-censorship stance that welcomes art, whether tough or refined, as one voice of "secular prophets." During the pastorates of Bob Spike (1949-55) and Howard Moody (1956-92), Judson became famous as a venue for avant-garde arts and a foe of art censorship. This tradition continues today, as Judson makes its facilities available to a wide variety of artists in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts of diverse styles.

The Judson Memorial Church Assembly Hall is located at 239 Thompson Street in Greenwich Village, just south of Washington Square Park. Entrance is located just 3 blocks east from the A, B, C, D, E, F, V at West 4th St.-Washington Square subway stop.

Contact:
Matthew Brown
917-698-9118
judsonphotos@yahoo.com

Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South New York, NY 10012

MOMA mounts major Brooklyn exhibition in bid to showcase local artist

"Nan Goldin gazes anxiously at her lover, who smokes a postcoital cigarette &
moodily stares across the tunnel beneath Atlantic-Pacific subway station at Tim Connor's 'Brooklyn local' photographs," Photo by Tim Connor, courtesy Nan Goldin & MOMA

With its new installation of art prints at Brooklyn's Atlantic Ave.-Pacific St. subway station Manhattan's world-famous Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) throws in its lot with Brooklyn photographer Tim Connor, whose colorful Arts for Transit lightboxes have electrified the station for over a year.



MOMA's slapped-on-the-wall prints & ambitious bright pink & black signage aim to entice outer-borough commuters to its Manhattan center, where the original art can be seen under much better lighting conditions for $18.


"Woman in orange beret looking at Andreas Gursky print," Tim Connor, All rights reserved

To this critic, the impressive show -- which literally arrays the most iconic painters, printmakers & photographers of the modern age around Connor's seven-panel work -- has been designed to showcase the little-known photoartist's fresh talent. And I say, good going, MOMA. It takes a great museum to boldly endorse the future.

My advice to my readers? Ride the subway to Atlantic Ave. & take in MOMA's modernist & postmodernist classics before settling down to take a look at Connor's work, now backed 100% by perhaps the world's greatest museum. Do it now before his new reputation spreads across the planet like a mad mutant virus.


"Cindy & me & Claude make three," Photo by Tim Connor, courtesy Cindy Sherman,
Ed Ruscha, Claude Monet & MOMA

My show is coming down soon & Obama is no longer an excuse. Get on over here!

"Subway riders pass my AFT show lightboxes," Tim Connor, All rights reserved

New Yorkers & travelers to New York: Don't miss my Arts for Transit show at the Atlantic Ave-Pacific St. subway station in Brooklyn (Map & directions from Manhattan here). These seven 4 ft by 6 ft lightboxes in a busy subway corridor will be coming down soon & I don't get to keep the lightboxes. Seriously, Jeff Wall & I think you should see my color street shots in this format if you see them at all, so why don't you get off your train when you roll through or make a special trip to Brooklyn. I really think this one's worth it.

More info & gallery of the pictures here & also here. Oh & here's a few shots right after installation.

A salon of our own

Photo by A.J. Zelada ( a Critical Mass reject), All rights reserved

In 1863, after approximately 3000 paintings were rejected from the official Paris Salon, a special exhibition -- Le Salon des Refusés -- was organized across the street. Among the rejected works shown were paintings by Monet, Manet, Whistler, Cezanne, and Pissarro, among others.

Photographer & blogger Liz Kuball had a witty idea. She decided to gather pictures (including her own) that hadn't made the cut in the recent Critical Mass portfolio review and exhibit them as a one-time show on her blog. Interested photographers were asked to send one picture within the next 36 hours & Uncritical Mass is the result.

P.S. I'm in some good company. Check it out.

Yeah, it can be freezing out there...

"Tryin to get to heaven fore they close the door...", lyric by B Dylan, photo by Tim Connor

I didn't make the list of finalists in Photo Lucida's Critical Mass contest. Time to belt out one of those Broadway musical numbers about starting all over again? What do you think? Nah, I'm going to bed.

Here's the 10 photos I entered.

Here's the statement I included with the pix.

I set out to explore the interaction of beachgoers with the ocean. My setting was the South Wellfleet beach I have walked since I was a small boy. In my lifetime, the ocean has moved inland perhaps a hundred yards, but down on the sand, between the bluffs and the ocean, everything is exactly the same as it was. Every other important place in my life has changed significantly or even disappeared. Not this place.

Here at the Atlantic’s western edge, vacationers sometimes experience a similar sense of timelessness. The land-water margin is an elemental zone of transition, a liminal space in which internal transformations are possible. For many, the beach becomes a stage that metaphorically opens on eternity. Normally driven by clocks and to-do lists, beachgoers sometimes find themselves distracted, even staring out to sea -- without becoming impatient -- for hours at a time.

I photographed strangers as they walked and watched or played and swam at the land-water divide. My idea was not to make portraits but to illuminate behavior.

'Brooklyn Au Naturel' reviewed

"Cathedral," Juliette Conroy, All rights reserved. Actual size approx. 12 feet in width.

Our show at Safe-T Gallery got a thoughtful review in today's Brooklyn Paper. It's the 1st big byline for author Kate Ray. Bravo, Kate. Not only is her piece smart & graceful, she also made my quotes sound intelligent!

Safe-T: The place to be

"Christmas cheer," Tim Connor, All rights reserved

Tonight from 6-8 PM I'll be joining a talented group of artists to open Brooklyn au naturel, "...an exuberant salute to Nature in New York’s most bodacious borough" at Safe-T-Gallery in DUMBO. Running through July 20th, the show will include my picture above, plus three (or four) others, printed large. Also included will be terrific works by 8 other artists in other photo media, paintings and prints.

I hope you can make it.

Directions to Safe-T-Gallery.

'Brooklyn au naturel' to open June 19th

"Oh deer!", Tim Connor, All rights reserved

I'll be joining a talented group of artists on the Eve of Summer, June 19th, to open Brooklyn au naturel, "...an exuberant salute to Nature in New York’s most bodacious borough" at Safe-T-Gallery in DUMBO. Running through July 20th, the show will include my picture above, plus three others, printed large. Also included will be terrific works by 8 other artists in other photo media, paintings and prints.

I hope you can make it.

Directions to Safe-T-Gallery.