Last night a group of enthusiastic and fabulous Soul Train fans gathered on Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park to pay tribute to the show’s host, Don Cornelius, who died yesterday.
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The New York Times published a fascinating, heart-wrenching feature yesterday, called The Lives They Loved. They asked readers to send a photograph of a loved one who died last year; I submitted a picture of my close friend Diane Izzo.
Beer-spewing, shaggy-haired, self-lacerating, leather-skirt-wearing air-guitar maniac Nordic Thunder (aka Justin Howard), who I had the privilege to photograph for this week’s Reader (see my previous post), has made every single American–and particularly Chicagoans–proud to be a member of the same (or similar) species. Congratulations Nordic, YTMND.
I photographed violence interrupters Ameena Matthews and Cobe Williams for the cover of last Sunday’s London Observer, which also ran in its sister paper The Guardian. Steve James directed a documentary film about the Interrupters which has just recently debuted. You can watch it this month at the Gene Siskel Film Center. (UPDATE: here’s a list of upcoming screenings around the world. The film’s been getting rave reviews.)
Thanks to the friendly staff at CeaseFire for helping coordinate the photo sessions, and to the awesome people I photographed for the story: Ameena, Cobe, Tio, Dee, and Marcus.
I’m excited that a photograph of mine has been selected by the Communication Arts 2011 jury to appear in their Photography Annual 52. The picture is of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, the frontmen of Christian horrorcore rappers Insane Clown Posse, shot for a Jon Ronson story in The Guardian Weekend Magazine. You can see a behind the scenes shot from that session in the archives, here. Below are pics of the Annual, and also a shot I’ve never shown before, of ICP fans outside the Eagle/Rave after the concert they played the night I photographed them.
The luminous, witty, and prodigiously talented Diane Izzo died a couple days ago, of complications resulting from brain cancer. I’d been a fan of her music for years, and was lucky to forge a friendship with her, occasionally play in her backup band, and recently to collaborate on a film that she and her husband Marco were producing.
I’m grateful that in the last few years I was able to make several trips to Taos to visit Diane and Marco–ostensibly to work on the film, which was really fun–but even better was spending time talking and laughing with those two, enjoying the profoundly beautiful New Mexico sky and mountains, and meeting their many remarkable friends.
Diane was a great inspiration to me. The planet won’t be the same without her.
Update: Jim and Greg weigh in.
Sad news from Bucktown: according to Chicagoist and the Tribune, Marie of the Riptide Lounge has died. I shot the portrait above back in 1991, when she was gracious enough to let me photograph her for my portfolio. Armitage Avenue will never be the same.
From the Trib article:
The ebullient queen of Marie’s Rip Tide Lounge on Armitage Avenue, known for her towering pouf of whitish-blonde hair and bawdy sense of humor, danced and sang along to tunes from the old-time jukebox into the wee hours, entertaining an ever-changing late-night crowd.
“That was Marie,” said Leo Zak, a bartender at the Riptide. “She made you feel like you belonged,”
Mrs. Wuczynski, 88, died of heart failure Monday, Feb. 7, at her home one flight above the tavern, said longtime friend and co-worker Tina Congenie.
Mrs. Wuczynski was working at the Armitage Avenue bar when she bought the building in 1961.
Since 9/11 many photographers have complained about being harassed while photographing buildings (federal and otherwise) in the U.S., and now there appears to be vindication for them: the excellent Lens blog from the NYT has published a document from Homeland Security stating explicitly that it’s legal for photographers to photograph public buildings in public spaces.
On a related note, I was surprised about this legal finding from last August—apparently property releases aren’t always needed after all, when photographs of buildings are used in advertisements (as long as trademarks aren’t visible). (I’m no lawyer though, so be sure to consult one if you’re selling pictures of buildings for ad use. Here’s an attorney specializing in photography-related issues.)
Update: Rohn Engh over at Black Star Rising is adamant that when selling a photograph of a person for editorial (as opposed to advertising use, or some kind of product endorsement) use, a model release is not needed. Here’s the post.
The trailer for “Black & Gold,” directed by Diane Izzo and Marco Zas, and shot by me, is now online. More about the film at its new site.
Been really busy–I just finished moving my studio to the Little Village neighborhood on Chicago’s south side, and have been working a lot: last month I shot a doozy of an assignment for the Guardian‘s Sunday magazine (which I’ll post once it’s published); I’ve been photographing regularly for the Reader; shot promo pics for Claire Massey; took pictures for Lula and Nightwood restaurants; and last weekend I took production stills on the set of Jim Sikora’s film “I’ll Die Tomorrow” as well as shooting video for Plush and My Gold Mask. Also did the camera work for “Cousins,” a short film by Mike Finch that debuts tonight at Webster Place.
Here’s a photo from an assignment I had a couple weeks ago, shooting promo shots for recording artist Vegaz Taelor. His mom, Cheryl Lynette did a fantastic job as stylist and wardrobe designer. Vegaz, Cheryl, and the models were all really fun to work with. (Update: Vegaz’s father, B. Murphy, is also a talented and prolific musician who has performed with many outfits including Chocolate Syrup, The Osmonds, and The Platters.)
The Impossible Project is releasing its version of the beloved Polaroid Type 55 film.
Thanks to Zane Davis for pointing out that Polaroid Type 55 is not in fact “back” as I hastily and incorrectly posted. The Impossible Project has created new instant films, but the Type 55 that they’re selling–for $223.00–is the original Polaroid film leftover from when it was still available. Keep those comments coming in! Zane, the head of the fact-checking department at Picturedujour has “resigned” to “spend more time with his family.”
Photo courtesy and © The Impossible Project
New Instant films from the Impossible Project were introduced today, and will be available for purchase Thursday, March 25th. From their press release:
Concept:Impossible‘s new PX Instant Films are dedicated to all the people who feel a similar passion for the magic of analog Instant Photography as we do. Carefully manufactured to slowly develop in the palm of the hand, PX Silver Shade Films are monochrome Instant Films that are designed for usage with traditional Polaroid cameras.
This brandnew Instant Film material subtly combines all the important characteristics of the traditional analog Instant Film (appearance, format, temperature sensitivity, manipulability) with the unique, new appearance of silver based, monochrome shades.
Supported by Ilford Photo, UK (Harman Technology Limited), The Impossible Project is excited to present this new artistic material, which produces originals of outstanding, unique and never before seen characteristics, pushing analog Instant Photography beyond all traditional limits.
Availability: PX 100 and PX 600 Silver Shade Films will be available online at www.the-impossible-project.com in a limited, First Flush Edition from Thursday, March 25th onwards, and shortly thereafter at selected premium retail partners all over the world.
In summer 2010, Impossible plans to present its first PX Color Film. In total, Impossible aims to present 6 new Instant film formats throughout of 2010: in addition to the PX 100 and PX 600 Silver Shade, two PX Color Films (100 and 600 ASA) as well as a Silver Shade and a Color Version of the larger Integral Instant film format for usage in all Polaroid Image/Spectra/1200 cameras are planned.
Here’s a picture of the sensational masked rock ensemble The Goblins, not to be confused with Italian prog-rockers Goblin, the California metal band Goblin Cock, or the Serbian punk outfit Goblini. Somebody needs to start a Wikipedia page on these guys.
The Goblins photographed for their album, Missing Fits. Photo: Jim Newberry.
Probably just a coincidence, but I just noticed that this New York Times blog post from last Friday—on the topic of lost moon landing video—opens with the exact same sentence as my blog post from a couple weeks ago on the same subject (“conspiracy theorists, start your engines”). Anyhow, my delusions of grandeur notwithstanding, it turns out the original Apollo 11 tapes were erased, and the “new” footage from NASA is just a freshly restored version. Monday is the 40th anniversary of the moon landing–here’s a Wired article on NASA’s festivities.
Jay Bennett photographed for the Chicago Reader in 2004 by Jim Newberry.
Very sad news.
From Undertow Music Collective, Bennett’s record label:
We are profoundly saddened to report that our friend died in his sleep last night. Jay was a beautiful human being who will be missed.
Jay Bennett, a former member of Chicago-based rock band Wilco, has died, according to a posting Sunday on the Web site of his record label.
Bennett, 45, a multi-instrumentalist who was a member of Wilco from 1994 to 2001, was a creative foil to bandleader Jeff Tweedy on the band’s highly acclaimed albums “Summerteeth” and “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.” Bennett’s acrimonious split from the band after the recording of the latter album was chronicled in the 2002 documentary “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.”
“Early this morning, Jay died in his sleep and an autopsy is being performed,” said Edward Burch, a friend and musician who collaborated with Bennett on the 2005 album “The Palace at 4 a.m.” “The family is in mourning and is unavailable for comment at this time.”
Born in the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows, Bennett began playing in bands as a teenager. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned multiple degrees in secondary education, math and political science. In between, he co-founded the Replacements-like power-pop band Titanic Love Affair, which released three albums during the alternative-rock heyday between 1991 and 1996, when it was dropped from its label.
Bennett was working at a VCR repair shop in Champaign when he was tapped to join Wilco as it toured in support of its first album, “A.M.” A talented arranger and versatile musician who could play virtually any instrument he picked up, from mandolin to Mellotron, Bennett formed a fruitful partnership with Wilco bandleader Jeff Tweedy. His contributions over a seven-year period were key to the albums that resulted in the band’s national breakthrough, including “Being There” (1996), “Summerteeth” (1999) and “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” (2002).
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After being coaxed from his shell, the inimitable impresario Tim Tuten gives a highly energetic and tongue-in-cheek tour of the fantastic cardboard metropolis called The Exquisite City. I shot this video at the original opening of the exhibit at the Viaduct Theater last November. A few weeks ago the show moved to the Chicago Tourism Center, where it remains until March 15th. The show was curated by Kathleen Judge and features work by a bunch of talented artists. Check out the Exquisite City site for more info.
“A Photo Editor,” AKA Rob Haggart, reinterpreted behind-the-scenes pictures (click on “back story”) from last Sunday’s New York Times magazine cover story using cartoon balloons. Pretty funny, especially to regular readers (like me) of Haggart’s blog.
NYT magazine parody. Photos: Nadav Kander Balloons: Rob Haggart
MMJ takes the stage at the Chicago Theatre tomorrow and Sunday night. Here are two pictures I shot of the band–both for Magnet–the top in 2001 and the other in ’07.
My Morning Jacket, 2001. Photo: Jim Newberry
My Morning Jacket in 2007. Photo: Jim Newberry
OK, this is the last PKN post for a while, I promise. Here’s a picture I took as I was giving my three dimensional photographic show and tell, and below that, a shot of Derek Erdman presenting his hilarious, poignant, and slightly deranged tale involving transpacific travel, a tattoo that is now sadly obsolete, bare breasts, and love that goes from unrequited to requited and back again.
Pecha Kucha Night 7 in Chicago. Photo: Jim Newberry
Derek Erdman presenting at Pecha Kucha 7 in Chicago. Photo: Jim Newberry
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