Toronto's ContactPhoto is lame

[gr82bart]

Full report coming soon. Honestly a waste of time.

http://scotiabankcontactphoto.com/

Regards, Art

 

[AgX]

Reading a placeholder is a waste of time too...

 

[Bob Carnie]

Have not seen you at my spot yet Art

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I don't know.... I always like to learn about person who is pushing strong opinions... I clicked on OP site link and it was reported as infected with Troian virus. And nothing but twenty pictures of bimbos at another site... ContactPhoto at least is different. Maybe different lame.

 

[MattKing]

Art has for many years been a great APUG source of links to creative and interesting stuff.
I get the same warning about his website link, so I have sent him a "pm" in case he wasn't aware, or had forgotten that that link was in his APUG signature.
And as for ModelMayhem - that is what you get if you go there.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Naked girls!...im in!

 

[gr82bart]

LOL

Yeah, I just had to post the lameness of this year's festival. I have been going to ContactPhoto since the beginning. Even had a couple shows. Planning on showing at it next year too. When it first came on the scene, I was like "Booyah! This will put Toronto, Canada on the photographic map." Over the course of a couple decades, I have come to the conclusion the organizers have "over intellectualized" the festival. I get it shouldn't become a camera club show either but for heaven's sake, sometimes a photo is just mediocre. So chill about the socio-philosophical theological alt-neo-meaning behind it. It's pretentious, people. Finally, when did videography become photography. Ryerson, AGO, Michael Snow all had videos. Videos. Sorry, not photography. Did I miss a memo? Anyway, rant over. Here's what I saw......

* indicates traditional film photography in the exhibition

What I liked:
Charles Gagnon at Stephen Bulger Gallery*
http://www.bulgergallery.com/dynamic/fr_exhibit_invitations.asp?ExhibitID=295
What can I say, I like street photography. Some of you make see these images as boring. I love them. Serene. Architectural. Composed. Soft. Images speak to me as Ilike the "calmness" of a busy street. I'm enigmatic that way.

"Alternative Photo Revolution" at Dylan Ellis Gallery*
https://dylanellisgallery.wordpress.com/2017/04/18/alternative-photo-revolution-spotlight-1/
I always enjoy the exhibitions that Bob Carnie puts together. I love alternative processes, so again, another biased spotlight on what I like. Images range from Wow! to "meh" but that's the fun behind viewing photography. There were a few APE Huggers too. Our very own fearless leader, Sean, for example had a print. I am now more intrigued with "gum over" printing. Several gum images at the show moved me. Subtle. Almost illustrative versus photographic. Very soft. Subdued.

"Free Black North" at the AGO*
http://www.ago.net/free-black-north
Amazing, saddening and maddening show about mostly unknown black photographers taking mostly unknown black subjects who just crossed into Canada during the American Civil War. Project this thought to how many non-white, non-European or non-American photographers there were historically that are unknown. Instead we mostly have appropriated images from the POV of the conquerer, vanquisher, richer, more marketable, white perspective. Yep, makes me sad and mad. That out of the way, the images were mostly tintypes. They showed proud faces, scared faces, happy faces. One Canadian photographer, Issac Henry Lewis who was born and raised Toronto was a prominent professional portrait photographer on Queen Street West in the early 1900's. He was a descendant of the free slaves from Virginia that crossed the border. I'll post more about in him in another thread.

Angela Grossmann: "Models Of Resistance" at Poïesis Contemporary
http://www.angelagrossmann.com/modelsofresistance.htm
"Grossman embellishes the contemporary view of lust and voyeurism through collages. Poïesis is a Vancouver-based gallery that doesn't have a bricks-and-mortar space but instead mounts pop-up shows and collaborates with art orgs like the Contact Photography Festival." Interesting. Powerful. I want to avert but I can't.

James Nivens: "Enchanted Encounters" at Gallery 50*
Dead Link Removed
A colour fine art traditional film photographer! We are on the IUCN endangered species list for sure! I always seek out other colour film photographers and promote them when I can. I have seen Nivens' work before. I like his composition. I like how the images have texture. I find it personally therapeutic to see colour photos. James is also part of the Film Shooters' Collective: Dead Link Removed another kindred band of artists shooting film photography.

2 Fik: "His and other stories" at Koffler Gallery, Artscape Youngspace
http://2fikornot2fik.com/
Sculptured images a la fashion magazine style. Very set designed. Very story telling. very rebellious considering where he's from. Yep, 2 Fik, that's his name. Like Bansky, all the cool kids these days want a marketing angle other than what their parents gave them. Call it an identity crisis. Regardless, I like his images. It's Cosmo for the photo eye. Don't judge me.

The rest:
Marlene Creates: "What came to light at Blast Hole Pond River" at the Paul Ptero Contemporary Gallery
http://paulpetro.com/exhibitions/485-What-Came-To-Light-At-Blast-Hole-Pond-River
Images triggered from a critter cam juxtaposed against astronomical events that day. Meh.

Matthew Kudelka: "Urban Angels II Toronto Street Photography" at David Kay Gallery
http://davidkayegallery.com/?p=172
Toronto street photography

Phil Desjardins: "Grasslands and Ghostlands" at Twist Gallery
Dead Link Removed
Images of Western Canada and USA

Image Reduction Service: Fundamental Tutorial at Ryerson Artspace at the Gladstone Hotel
http://www.ryersonartspace.com/
From their write up, "Participants can expect an illuminating theoretical and technical demonstration of the Image Reduction Service process that comprises an exciting series of practical demonstrations as they pertain to the innovative methods and concepts of phase-based reduction, image-slip extrapolation analysis, and total information density absolution. You will be introduced to the latest image processing and analysis technology/methodology for the reduction of images to their essential components." Not sure this counts as photography, but what do I know.

Muse Exhibit at the Gladstone Hotel
Dead Link Removed
Laurence Butet-Roch : Our Grandfathers Were Chiefs
- poignant
Annie Sakkab : A Familiar Stranger
- don't remember it - says something, right?
Michelle Siu : In Limbo
- powerful images of displaced Haitians
Marta Iwanek : Raivka
- interesting, not a wow, but interesting
Galit Rodan : The Hard Season
- naked ladies in the woods - been there, done that, got the print for sale
Chloë Ellingson : As Long As Life Lasts
Hannah Yoon : You Will Be a Blessing
- Interesting snaps of her life in Canada as a "reverse" missionary from South Korea to Canada
Anica James : After / Shock
- don't remember much of this one either

Muse Projects X Women Photograph at Window Box Gallery at Gallery 1313
Dead Link Removed
Works by Melissa Renwick, Monique Jacque, Roxi Pop , Sarah Hylton, Lucy Lu, Mancia Juvan, Lynda Gonzalez.

Mark Sommerfeld, in collaboration with Heather English: "We with images to give" at the Gladstone Hotel
https://www.format.com/magazine/features/photography/mark-sommerfeld-candid-photography
Queue my rant about over-intellectualizing photography.....

Mindset at Artscape Youngspace, 2nd floor*
http://www.workmanarts.com/index.php/mindset-2017/
This place has showcased so many young talented photographers in the past years. No different this year with a wide gamut of photography on display. Artists: Teresa Ascenção, Stephanie Avery, Marco Buonocore, Cara Cole, Heather Fulton, Sheldon LaPorte, Esmond Lee, Barbara Mann, Jaye Martin, Anita McKernan, Brad Necyk, Annette Seip, Julie Riemersma, Tanya Louise Workman

Signals and Sentinment at Critical Distance, Artscape Youngspace
https://criticaldistance.ca/program/signals-and-sentiments/
More works from various photographers

RSGC Art Graduate's Exhibition at Artscape Youngspace, 3rd floor
Some photography amidst other media. Not part of Contact.

Havana#7 at Northern Contemporary
http://www.scotiabankcontactphoto.com/2017/open-exhibition/northern-contemporary-havana7
Images of Cuba by several Canadian photographers

Predicament at the Red Head Gallery, 401 Richmond
Dead Link Removed

Atelier's Studios: Creative Spaces, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, 401 Richmond
http://rca-arc.ca/
Open doors to the creative studio spaces of 184 celebrated Canadian artists, including Michael Snow, Suzy Lake, and Danièle Rochon

Peter Dusek: Serenity at Abbozzo Gallery, 401 Richmond
http://abbozzogallery.com/artists/peter-dusek/

What does one do with such a clairvoyant image? at Gallery 44
https://gallery44.org/exhibitions/what-does-one-do-such-clairvoyant-image
Works by Dana Claxton, Stephanie Comilang, Kapwani Kiwanga, Dylan Miner, Martine Syms, Tania Willard in the form of videography

Various Workshops at Gallery 44, 401 Richmond*
http://www.gallery44.org/past-workshops
I did the ambrotype workshop over 10 years ago with Rob Norton

Michael Snow: Newfoundlandings at Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art
http://www.prefix.ca/exhibitions/michael-snow-newfoundlandings/
I am not sure when videography became part of photography. I must have missed the memo.

Petra Collins: Pacifier at CONTACT Gallery
http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/03/petra-collins-captures-her-familys-past-in-pacifier.html
http://www.musemagazine.it/pacifier/

Nathaniel Brunt:#shaheed at CONTACT Gallery
http://www.alexiafoundation.org/blog/2016/10/06/update-nathaniel-brunt/
Remember when I talked about white guys taking pics of other people's countries? Anyway, still powerful images. I have been to Kashmir, Swat, and Karakoram myself.

City Life Rural Life at Latitude 44
http://www.latitude44gallery.ca/
Works from Brian Anderson, Golrokh Keshavarz, Michael Lindon

Projects for the Page at Eric Selkirk Gallery
http://articulations.ca/galleries/projects-for-the-page/
Works by Marco Buonocore, Alice Dixon, Aaron Friend Lettner, Kirby Pilcher & Luke Strosnider, Anthony Randall & Robyn York.

Jim Blomfield: Grand Motion at Toronto West Paint*
http://www.jimblomfield.com/gallery_481823.html
A traditional film photographer from Waterloo, Ontario. Experimental images of water movement.

Richard Kuzniak: Night Vision at Coolearth Architecture Inc
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/night-v...stival-opening-reception-tickets-29746892757#

Krista White: Toronto at night with available light at Vesuvio's Pizzeria and Spaghetti House
https://www.facebook.com/KLWphoto44/

Linda Briskin: acqua botanica at Hellen & Hildegarde
http://www.yorku.ca/lbriskin/gallery/

Mark Robinson: Visions of dynamic earth at Axis Gallery and Grill
http://www.stormhunter.ca/

Meera Margaret Singh: Jardim at Zalucky Contemporary Gallery
http://www.meeramargaretsingh.com/

Phillipa Croft: That night we forgot to dance at Phillipa C Photography
http://phillipac.com/

Kristin Sweetland: Sweetland, Canada at Dirty Food Catering
http://www.kristinsweetland.com/category/news/

Suzie Lake at Ryerson Image Centre*
https://www.thestar.com/entertainme...ender-divide-at-the-ryerson-image-centre.html
This was the Scotiabank Photography Award winner

Souvenir at Ryerson Image Centre
http://www.ryerson.ca/ric/exhibitions/Souvenir/
First Nations and Métis artists Kent Monkman, Caroline Monnet, Jeff Barnaby, and Michelle Latimer use montage to showcase their work. A contemporary slide show.

Max Dean: As Yet Untitled at Ryerson Image Centre
https://www.scotiabankcontactphoto.com/2017/primary-exhibition/ryerson-image-centre-as-yet-untitled
Here's the write up: "Max Dean’s As Yet Untitled (1992–1995) explores issues surrounding the viewer’s responsibility for culture and memory, through an interactive experience where gallery visitors can instruct a factory automaton to save endangered family photographs. Composed of an industrial arm, conveyer belt, paper shredder, and two silhouetted hands, Dean’s mechanized robot is programmed to pick up a 4 x 6˝ photograph from a hopper and present it to the viewer as a final step before it is discarded—allowing the audience to decide which images will survive, and which will be lost to history." So, basically, it's only connection to photography is the robot arms picks up a 4x6 photo.....

Mark Lewis: Canada at the AGO
https://www.ago.net/mark-lewis-canada
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/art...-canadas-150th-birthdayparty/article34673954/
https://www.thestar.com/entertainme...wiss-novel-approach-to-canada-at-the-ago.html
Saved the worst for last. Three videography galleries. That's worthy of three gallery spaces at the AGO for a photography festival? Punt.

Regards, Art
PS Thanks for pointing out my never touched in 20 year old website is infected. Got to really do something with that site. Oh, and I like taking pictures of gorgeous women, K? Deal with it.

 

[MattKing]

Thanks Art.
You put a lot of time into this.
I don't know whether I could have come close to doing the same with the Vancouver version (Capture) of same: http://capturephotofest.com/

 

[Bob Carnie]

Thanks Art.
You put a lot of time into this.
I don't know whether I could have come close to doing the same with the Vancouver version (Capture) of same: http://capturephotofest.com/

We are trying to find space to rent to be in Vancouver's Capture next year.. Stay tuned we will know on space within a month or two.
Our goal is to bring a huge Alternative Show our and as well a couple of contemporary print shows.

 

[MattKing]

We are trying to find space to rent to be in Vancouver's Capture next year.. Stay tuned we will know on space within a month or two.
Our goal is to bring a huge Alternative Show our and as well a couple of contemporary print shows.

If you need any help, just call.
Beau Photo might be interested in collaborating - they support a fair number of Alternative Photo endeavours.

 

[mooseontheloose]

We are trying to find space to rent to be in Vancouver's Capture next year.. Stay tuned we will know on space within a month or two.
Our goal is to bring a huge Alternative Show our and as well a couple of contemporary print shows.

Bob, I would love it if you could get a show here in Kyoto at Kyotographie - it's a month-long event that often displays photos in real spaces, such as temples or old historic houses. I'm not affliated with the group in any way, I just really would like to see your work in person!

 

[Bob Carnie]

Bob, I would love it if you could get a show here in Kyoto at Kyotographie - it's a month-long event that often displays photos in real spaces, such as temples or old historic houses. I'm not affliated with the group in any way, I just really would like to see your work in person!

Rachelle - some day we want to expand our wings, we would love to visit.

 

[Jim Blomfield]

Thanks, Art, for taking the time to check out and mention my exhibition at CONTACT.

 

[ic-racer]

Finally, when did videography become photography. Ryerson, AGO, Michael Snow all had videos. Videos. Sorry, not photography.

Did they separate? My MFA is in "Photography and Cinema" and I suspect that designation is not unique.

 

[Peter Schrager]

Thank you you Art from sunny Los Angeles!