Monday, May 3, 2010

Peace sells, but who's buying?

So I've been working for the University Avenue Project lately, and for those that don't know about, let me start out by explaining how wicked awesome it is. It takes up six miles of University Ave. in St. Paul. It contains more than 450 photographs all taken by one person. Photographs are beamed out to the avenue via projector every single night until Halloween. It's truly an incredible undertaking. After talking to the site manager, I was told that I might be able to display my photographs on the giants screens as early as June, which made me really excited. It looks like I have some work to do.

As fate would have it, I'm returning to New Orleans on May 16th to continue Two Years and Two Hundred Square Feet, which also gives me just enough to re-edit my book and submit it to the Photography Book Now competition. If I timed it properly, I could advertise my book at the same as the pictures were being beamed out to the avenue. Hopefully it all works out that way. Wish me luck? I'll be blogging from the New Orleans, regardless of the what happens with the book or show, so keep an eye on this blog. As usual, I'll welcome comments, critiques, etc. while I'm down there.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Crimes

Last night, I had a little taste of irony. While watching the Vikings game (the one where Brett Favre could only throw interceptions and Adrian Peterson couldn't hold on to a ball to save his life), I was urged by the Red Cross to donate to the folks in Haiti. All I could think about was the FEMA trailers that were still parked in front yards and the game unfolding in front of me in the Superdome of all places.

For the last few weeks, I've watched CNN documenting the effort in Haiti and it hasn't been entirely inspiring, but that's to be expected when there are too many cooks in the kitchen. It's like the wild west down there. Everybody answers to nobody. Meanwhile, I've started the countdown until the public grows bored of its new toy and allows the military to bow out gracefully. leaving the job half-done.

And perhaps I'm not giving credit where it's due. While I would love to participate in this lovely morsel of national pride, the proposition of history repeating itself ad nauseam is preventing me. Eventually, children will say, "If we hadn't helped those poor Haitians, they might be in FEMA trailers right now." Ladies and gentlemen, let the double speak begin and enjoy the show.

Currently in heavy rotation:







The XX - Crystalised






The Kills - M.E.X.I.C.O.





Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Our Time