The Art of Photography and History

What a great past weekend of photography. Larry Towell's presentation on Friday evening in Canmore was an inspiration to anyone who cares about photography - or humanity. His images went from the gruelling streets of San Salvador to the front porch of his home in Ontario.

I had the opportunity to interview him the next day for Photo Life magazine and he told me that ultimately he thinks the most important aspect of his work is as a historical record. The Magnum archives recently moved from New York City to Texas and a hundred years from now people will go see Towell's photographs to understand the state of the world through his lens.

Another photographer concerned about history is Calgary-based artist/graphic designer Heather Saitz. She took part in a panel discussion on Saturday at Glenbow Museum as part of Exposure 2010.

She will be releasing a book in April about two historic Calgary apartment buildings. Those structures are now home to dozens of artists. Heather's book will help connect the past to present through photography and text.

History, photography and the art of seeing.

Last Chance

There's only more chance to meet Larry Towell while he's in Calgary.

He'll be at the downtown Vistek store at 5 p.m. to sign his book The World From My Front Porch.

Towell In Canmore

Just saw Larry Towell speak in Canmore.

Amazing images, sounds and prose...

This Canadian photographer ranks as one of our very best.

He is generous in person and behind the lens.

El Salvador, Palestine and and his own family. The photographs speak to heart and mind.

The Art of Photography Books

If you care about publishing photography, self, or otherwise, you'll want to attend a panel discussion at Glenbow Museum on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the ConocoPhillips Theatre.

Moderated by Glenbow's Melanie Kjorlien the panellists will include respected large format photographer Lawrence Chrismas, ACAD instructor and new media artist Jordan Tate, the head of the University of Calgary Press - Donna Livingstone - and photographer/graphic designer Heather Saitz, who is set to release a photography book that she's published with the assistance of the online site Blurb.com.

See you there.

Leaving Winter

This time of year can get people a little down. My recommendation is to take a trip. You don't have to leave your physical location to depart.

Go see Amalie Atkins work at Calgary's SKEW Gallery and you'll know what I mean.

Poetry on the Walls

Not sure if you've had a chance to see the fine work by a group of respected Japanese photographers showing at Triangle Gallery yet?

If not, make your way there to see what can best be described as poetry on the gallery walls.

If you don't already know Triangle is the gallery next to City Hall.

The Wild West of Kent Monkman

There was an interesting article in Saturday's Calgary Herald by Nancy Tousley about the Kent Monkman exhibition at Glenbow Museum commenting on his take on the West.

Monkman's exhibition is part of Exposure 2010 with photographs of his alter ego Miss Chief included.

Tousley says about the photos, "A small side gallery contains a suite of five brilliant photographs, Miss Chief: The Emergence of a Legend (2006), made to look like old tintypes, that show her in evolutionary roles as a performer in Wild West shows, vaudeville and silent movies."