A new art exhibit is opening up in Toronto this month that will feature work that hasn’t been seen for more than half a century.
New Toronto art exhibit to feature sculpture not seen in 50 years
New Toronto art exhibit to feature sculpture not seen in public for 50 years
A new art exhibit is opening up in Toronto this month that will feature work that hasn’t been seen in public for more than half a century.
People Dangle from Balconies and Scale a Brick Facade in Leandro Erlich’s Disorienting Installation
“The Building” (2023). All photos by Gus Powell, courtesy of Liberty Science Center, shared with permission
You don’t need nine lives to scale the side of this vertigo-inducing structure. The latest installation in Leandro Erlich’s Bâtiment series appears to defy gravity with a disorienting facade-turned-optical illusion.
On view now at Liberty Science Center, “The Building” recreates the exterior of a typical New York City structure with metal balconies, an airconditioning unit propped in a third-story window, and a deli at street level, all of which are positioned on the floor and reflected in a gigantic mirror overhead. When viewers walk into the installation, they appear weightless and are able to effortlessly dangle from railings and stand perpendicular to the brick architecture.
Part of the center’s 30th-year anniversary Big Art program alongside Dustin Yellin’s hefty glass sculpture, the jarring work “finds its basis in questions I have about the way we perceive reality,” the Argentine artist (previously) says. “Art, the way I conceive of it, exists to pose questions about our understanding of the world; in many ways, science achieves what we know it to the same way—by asking those very same questions.”
“The Building” is on view in Jersey City through the summer. You can find more of Erlich’s Bâtiment series, which has been ongoing for more than a decade with projects in Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Donetsk, and Japan’s Echigo-Tsumari region, on his site and Instagram.
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Diamond Award winners honored at CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Conference
SAFE Federal Credit Union was awarded the Diamond Best of Show Award – the highest honor in the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council’s Diamond Awards competition – during the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Conference, March 26-29.
The winners and their accomplishments will be featured in an upcoming issue of Credit Union Magazine.
The Diamond Awards, representing the pinnacle of credit union marketing and business development, honor credit unions in 35 categories, ranging from direct mail to website marketing to video and radio commercials to social media. Judges evaluated entries based on strategy, design, production, creative concept, copy, communication, and results.
This year’s Diamond Awards competition received 1,246 entries – 91 credit unions won Category’s Best Awards and 244 won Diamond Awards. In total, 159 credit unions received awards.
Winners can be viewed on the event’s AdQue Digital Display Systems gallery.
“The Diamond Awards showcase the best of the best in credit union marketing and business development initiatives,” said Marella Nardotti, Diamond Awards chair and chief marketing officer at NextMark Credit Union. “They recognize innovation and creativity, while tying in impact on organizational profitability, growth, and brand awareness.”
This year’s top award winners are listed below.
Best of Show
SAFE Federal Credit Union, Sumter, S.C., for their entry in the Financial Education category titled, “SAFE Cents Financial Education Initiative”
Best Use of Humor
Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, Notre Dame, Ind., for their entry titled, “Are You a Loan?”
Carat – for the Greatest Impact
MY Credit Union – Minnesota, Bloomington, Minn., for their entry titled, “1st Annual “Fall Classic” Charity Cornhole Invitational Tournament Benefiting Minnesota Veterans”
Clarity – for the Most Sentimental
MY Credit Union – Minnesota, Bloomington, Minn., for their entry titled, “1st Annual “Fall Classic” Charity Cornhole Invitational Tournament Benefiting Minnesota Veterans”
Color – for Brilliant Use of Art
TRUE Community Credit Union, Jackson, Mich., for their entry titled, “Digital Refresh – Upgrade to Digital Banking Platform”
Cut – for the Most Edgy
TAPCO Credit Union, Tacoma, Wash., for their entry titled, “Big Deck Envy”
The 2024 Diamond Awards will be held at the 2024 CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council Conference, in which entries from 2023 will be judged.
Interior Dept. seeks input on proposed changes to Indian Arts and Crafts Act rules
The Department of Interior wants to hear from tribal leaders and Native artists regarding proposed changes to how the Indian Arts and Crafts Act is implemented.
That law bars the fraudulent presentation of arts and crafts as being Indigenous-produced or the product of a tribal nation.
Starting this month and going through August, the Interior Department is holding a series of listening sessions and direct consultations with tribes regarding changes in the law’s regulations. They include a possible expansion of what constitutes an “Indian Product” under the law, as well as allowing non-Native labor to be used in the making of such products.
A top department official said in a release that the agency hopes the updates further guarantee that Native people are fairly compensated for their labor and that Indigenous arts and crafts are authentic.
“Arts and crafts are important to Native communities, both culturally and economically,” Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland said. “Updating these regulations to include modern forms of art and craft work will support Indigenous artisans and craftspeople.”
The next listening session will be held on Thursday, April 27, in Albuquerque, N.M. Information on all sessions and the proposed changes can be found here.
Among the questions to be discussed at the listening sessions are whether the proposed expansion of items that qualify as “Indian Products” encompasses the full range of work done by Native artists and whether the law should apply to Native Hawaiian Organizations.
This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West in Montana, KUNC in Colorado, KUNM in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations across the region. Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau is provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Man who became trapped inside Edmonton public art charged with mischief
A man who became trapped inside a notable piece of Edmonton public art made of large silver spheres was arrested soon after firefighters helped him escape the structure.
5 Essential Things to Have in Place for Your New Photography Business
Before you start your photography business, there are a few essential things you need to have in place. Utilize this as a checklist to tell yourself that you’re ready to launch.
#1. Website, Portfolio, and Email Address
Think of this trio as the alternative to a storefront. For a brick-and-mortar business, you need a location for your customers to go and a way for them to purchase your goods or services. There’s an expectation with most modern businesses that you’re going to have a website to share with potential clients and a way for them to contact you through that website.
Additionally, as a photographer, you should have some sort of portfolio. Your portfolio doesn’t have to be perfect when you’re starting out but the quality of your portfolio may reflect the quality of work that you’re able to book. Similarly, the type of work you show might impact the type of work you attract.
Don’t get hung up on having the perfect portfolio or website as you’ll refind them repeatedly over time anyway. However, you can always plan some portfolio-building photoshoots so that you have work to showcase. If all your work is portraiture and you’re building a real estate business, for example, you’ll want to create some sample images to showcase at least enough to get that first gig.
#2. Insurance, Business License, and Permits
This second trio consists of the official things you’ll need to put in place to be legit. Some small-time friends/clients might not care if you’re a licensed and insured photographer but when you’re ready to start your business you’ll need to take care of business. The other thing that might apply is permits, specifically if you’re shooting at locations that require a permit to conduct business.
A quick internet search for your state will provide you with the simple steps to getting a business license. Luckily photography permits are becoming easier to understand, track down, and acquire for various locations. Your local regulations will indicate if you need a license for your city, county, or state and how often you have to renew. When it comes to insurance, there’s equipment coverage and liability.
As you grow you might consider becoming an LLC to limit your liability, but that comes with its own limitations and may not be a factor if you’re just starting out. As we move into the next section on finances it will help you determine where you stand. If you’re a freelancer there will be different considerations than if you’re building a business and plan to hire other photographers.
#3. Contract, Licensing Agreement, Pricing
Next up you’ll want to have a contract, licensing agreement, and price sheet in place. Your pricing might depend on your market, experience, and budget which we’ll talk about more in the next section. Your contract and licensing agreement are what will protect you on the legal front.
The best thing to do is to get advice from a lawyer and ideally one who specializes in the photography industry. There are also templates and best practices that you can use as a starting point. Your contract might evolve as your business grows and you learn what is important to communicate clearly with your clients.
Image licensing is a whole other topic that you’ll want to understand as it pertains to your specific specialty. Your pricing is another thing that will change over time but it’s important to have a starting point for when potential clients reach out. Start by researching the market value for your work and what your competitors are charging but then also take a look at your budget.
#4. Budget, Business Bank Account
The next step, as I mentioned above, is to think about money. You need to create a budget and open a bank account. It’ll be important to have a separate bank account and keep your business expenses separate from your personal not only for tax reasons but to ensure you’re running a profitable business.
When creating your budget you’ll want to determine the cost of running your business including how much you want or need to make. This is yet another thing that might change and it’s important to revisit your budget quarterly or monthly. You may decide you need to spend more on marketing or you might have unexpected expenses come up.
Having a budget is crucial to knowing where you stand and what you need to do next. You can use your budget to determine your pricing or the quantity of work you need to book. Eventually, you’ll get even more advanced and track your marketing costs to make sure you’re getting a return on your investment.
#5. Marketing Plan
Speaking of ROI (return on investment) let’s talk about marketing. Marketing is all about finding clients. Your marketing plan will vary depending on your photography specialty but some elements are the same.
You need to determine who your target market is, how to reach them, and how to get them to hire you. Sometimes it’s a long game of cultivating clients while other times you just need to be there when someone is actively looking. Usually there’s a bit of both, actively generating new leads and continuing to cultivate the ones you have.
There are numerous marketing techniques and photographers that swear by particular ones. You probably won’t have the time or budget to do them all so start with the ones that seem the most effective in your target market. Track everything and evaluate the effectiveness of your plan.
Kicking Off Your Photography Business
Once you’ve checked these 5 essentials off of your to-do list, it’s time to kick off your photography business. Some people start before they’re ready and it makes it harder for them to gain traction. Other people are more inclined to wait until everything is perfect and they never actually get started.
One of the best ways to learn is to get started. Get your essentials in place and then get to work. Track your progress, evaluate what’s working, and adapt as needed. Starting a business can feel risky but if you do it thoughtfully failure is just a learning experience.
About the author: Brenda Bergreen is a Colorado wedding photographer, videographer, yoga teacher, and writer who works alongside her husband at Bergreen Photography. With their mission and mantra “love. adventurously.” they are dedicated to telling adventurous stories in beautiful places.
Image credits: Header illustration line drawings from 123RF
Spruce Pine artist’s sculpture ‘Staurolite’ installed at WCU’s Apodaca Sciences Building
The sculpture pad in front of the Apodaca Sciences Building at Western North Carolina University has been filled.
‘First of its kind’: Indigenous fashion week coming to Salt Lake City
Artist and designer Jessica Wiarda saw a gap as she observed different fashion weeks taking place in Utah.
“There was no Indigenous-specific fashion week this year. I was seeing all these other cultures represented, but Indigenous wasn’t there,” said Wiarda, who is Hopi/Tewa.
The realization came as Wiarda began wrapping up a yearlong artist in residency program through nonprofit Utah Diné Bikéyah and the Leonardo Museum. Instead of a farewell event celebrating just her residency, Wiarda decided to gather other Indigenous artists and models for Utah’s first Indigenous Fashion Week.
This year’s fashion week will consist of one night featuring work from artists representing half a dozen tribes — including Hopi, Navajo (Diné), Ute, Northern Ute, Apache and Anishinaabe Ojibwe — as well as a section featuring powwow regalia. But Wiarda hopes the show will be the start of an annual tradition.
“It just is going to get bigger and better,” she said, adding that the event is entirely Indigenous-led and -run.
“There are no stereotypes here; it’s just us as ourselves — and that’s why it’s a really important event,” she said. “It’s open to everybody and it’s a rare look into something that I feel like a lot of people are afraid to ask questions about because it’s such a marginalized community. We’re still here and we’re reclaiming our culture through fashion.”
Michael Haswood, a Diné artist who is helping organize the show, said although the event will very much be a modern fashion show, many of the pieces will incorporate traditional designs.
Participants practice their walking as they rehearse for an Indigenous fashion show at the Leonardo Museum in Salt Lake City on Sunday.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
“Every Native American is raised to be proud of your ancestors and what they’ve done and this is the reason why we’re having a fashion show because we want to show the old art and the old designs,” he said.
Haswood added that although fashion week happens on the Navajo Reservation, there’s nothing similar in Salt Lake City.
“We want to bring that energy, that power and that art up here,” he said. “I think Salt Lake City needs something like this, to have the Native Americans voice who they are now. We’re still here; the Native Americans are still here. We’re still thriving, we’re teachers, astronauts, baseball players, designers and artists.
“That’s one thing I want to say is that we’re here, we’re proud and we’re still thriving in the community.”
Michelle Brown, an Indigenous designer who will be modeling during the show, agreed that the event will be impactful for Salt Lake City.
Rhianna Russell and Michelle Brown practice their walking as they rehearse for an upcoming Indigenous fashion show at the Leonardo Museum in Salt Lake City on Sunday.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
“I think it’s a really important event for Salt Lake City to have because we are so attuned to looking at European designers or New York designers, but there’s not a lot of Indigenous representation here in Utah where you have so many talented designers from several tribes putting out their work,” she said. “There’s so many designers across Europe and the U.S. that borrow Indigenous designs when they weren’t really permitted to do so. So I think it’s really important to see firsthand what First Peoples are producing and the stories that they’re still telling.”
Brown encouraged those attending the show year-round support for the artists, a number of whom will be selling their work before and after the show.
The fashion show will take place on Saturday, April 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Leonardo. Tickets are $5, and the profits will go towards paying the models and staff and to the Hopi Education Endowment Fund.
10 Books Every Photographer Should Read Now
As a photographer, focusing on improving your craft is one of the most important things to do. Money can buy the latest equipment, but it can’t buy you knowledge of how to use that equipment.
For me, photography is not only about capturing moments but also about conveying a message through those images. A deep understanding of the artistic and philosophical aspects of photography is a must if you want to create images with intent. One way that has helped me deepen my understanding of photography was reading books about it. Here are the top 10 books that I would recommend every photographer read:
This is the most widely recommended book to read for photographers. Published in 1977, this book is a collection of essays that explore the role of photography in modern society. Susan Sontag, being a partner of Annie Leibovitz, had a deep personal involvement with photography. It is likely that the essays that she wrote about photography were inspired by the stories of Leibovitz. In the book, you will find essays on the ethics of taking photographs, the relationship between photography and reality, as well as the power of images to shape popular opinion.
Cartier-Bresson is one of the most celebrated photographers in the world and indeed one of the pioneers of modern photography. In his book, he details the ability to capture a moment where the whole photograph comes together in a perfect storm.
In my own work, I often encourage the subject to move as much as possible and then capture the moment as it’s happening in real life. In this way, I adopt the methods of Cartier-Bresson. He was indeed the master of capturing the perfect moment, and that became a cornerstone of his style. This book is a testament to his skill as a photographer and provides valuable insights into his creative process.
Every time someone asks me where did I learn light, my answer is always the same. This is the book for learning light. Forget everything you knew before reading it. This resource will teach you to light without thinking about setups. It will give you the required knowledge for dealing with almost any lighting scenario and problem. Shooting fashion, I work a lot with mixed surfaces, so being able to find the perfect light that would both show the clothes and the model in the best angle possible is a priority. Light: Science and Magic taught me all the lighting skills I have now, and I am yet to find a better resource to learn lighting.
Being able to select the perfect photograph from a series of images is a vital skill every photographer must have. One of the most significant parts of the photographic process in itself is the selection process. What you pick to be the final image is essentially what your taste is. Magnum is one of the most prestigious photo agencies in the world, and in this book, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of some of the world’s most renowned photographers such as Robert Capa and Martin Parr.
In his book Camera Lucida, Roland Barthes explores the philosophy behind photography. It is a discussion on how to create meaning with images, which is as significant as being able to light a photograph. Understanding subtexts, implications, and the impact your images can have is a great skill to have which will allow you to take images with intent. Barthes also discusses the emotional impact of images and what makes an image powerful.
Being one of the greatest photographers in the world, Annie Leibovitz offers insight into her creative process in this book. She takes the reader behind the scenes and discusses a wide range of subjects and shooting scenarios. From the emotional impact of photography to the technical aspects of her work, Leibovitz covers it all in her book. In fact, this was one of the first books I bought, and it has helped me a lot to become a better image-maker.
If you are a beginner photographer who needs help with the foundations of photography, this book is perfect for you. It’s a technical guide that covers the basics of exposure, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. It provides a clear and concise explanation of each concept, which leaves the reader clear on how to expose images. I strongly encourage every beginner to have this book and save time by reading it instead of searching on YouTube.
Widely regarded as the father of photography, Ansel Adams explains the workings of his equipment and gives a very technical perspective on his work. While some of the concepts may be outdated for the modern photographer, it is still a valuable read for anyone who wants to shoot on film. Another group I would recommend this book to is black and white photographers.
In this book, Geoff Dyer examines the development of photography through a series of essays about iconic photographs and the photographers behind them. To me, this is a book that offers invaluable analysis and provides the reader with tools that enable them to create images rather than take them. It is a fantastic insight into the creative process and development of photography as an art form.
In this book, Steve Simon shares his views on how to improve your photography. I tend to agree with his opinion on what makes a great photographer. It is not only technical skill but also the ability to convey an aesthetic and see the beauty in things. The wonderful thing that I found in this book is the way it is structured: 10 separate steps that will help you develop your aesthetic and find your own authentic creative voice.
Closing Thoughts
I tried to make this list a mix of both technical and non-technical books to give everyone something they like. The list is by no means complete, and I would love to hear your opinion in the comments below. Feel free to share some of your favorites with us!
