Artists invited to submit work for 1st LGBTQ+ Art Showcase in Reading

By in Art World News

Artists invited to submit work for 1st LGBTQ+ Art Showcase in Reading
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READING, Pa. – Reading Pride Celebration and GoggleWorks Center for the Arts are calling for artists for their first LGBTQ+ Art Showcase.

The exhibition, in celebration of LGBT Pride Month, will be held on the second floor at the Schmidt Gallery from June 7 through July 16, and is open to all local LGBTQ+ artists in different media.

Organizers say the showcase aims to promote and celebrate the artistic talents of the local LGBTQ+ community of Berks and surrounding counties and to create a platform for their voices to be heard. The exhibition is open to all forms of art, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and mixed media.

“We are excited to celebrate the diversity and creativity of the LGBTQ+ local artists,” said RPC Executive Director Enrique Castro Jr. “During the past two years, we’ve partnered with GoggleWorks to host the Pride Film Series at the Albert & Eunice Boscov Theatre. This year we wanted to open an opportunity for the community to know our LGBTQ+ artists and support their art.”

The deadline for submission is May 1st, and artists are encouraged to submit their applications online. 

“Art can have a significant impact on a community by providing representation, visibility, and empowerment,” said Jesse Futter, marketing director at GoggleWorks. “As part of the LGBTQ+ community, I personally have seen how important art can be to provide a safe space for expression. We are excited to welcome Reading Pride into our gallery and provide the artists the space to explore their identities, experiences, and perspectives.”

The exhibition is open to all levels of artists, from emerging to established. RPC’s Art Committee will select pieces. Selected artists will be notified by May 15 and will be required to deliver their artwork to GoggleWorks at 201 Washington St. in Reading.

AI is taking over as 50% of photographers integrate it into their workflows

By in Photography

AI is taking over as 50% of photographers integrate it into their workflows

There is a lot in the latest State of the Photography Industry Report by Zenfolio, but the stats on AI jump off the page in times of heated AI debate. The report says half of working photographers are now happy to include AI in their workflow, with just 11% seeing it as a negative.

This fourth edition of this Zenfolio report is packed with insider insights and valuable information on industry trends from the viewpoint of professional photographers and their businesses. It comes hot on the heels of AI controversy at the Sony Awards, but pros seem to have a different take.

The report was based on a survey of skilled photographers who specialize in portrait, landscape, wedding, sports, and family photography. The respondents were mainly self-employed with more than a decade of experience in the field. This 2023 report covers a range of topics, including marketing, pricing, trends, technology, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) – which might surprise a lot of you!

Zenfolio

(Image credit: Zenfolio)

So, what were the other highlights of the report? Well, nearly 20% of photographers reported a boost in their businesses from the previous year. However, many are still grappling with the effects of the pandemic and rising inflation. Over two-thirds of photographers reported either slow business or performance that met expectations.

Good news for high-earning photographers though, as those making $100K and above saw an increase in revenue. It seems 40% reported a decrease in revenue, but this is still an improvement from the previous year, where 76.2% reported a negative impact.

Marketing strategies have shifted towards non-paid or organic social media, with photographers relying less on paid ads.

Mirrorless cameras are also challenging traditional DSLRs, with 41% of photographers now choosing this newer option. That’s a significant increase of 50.7% compared to the previous survey. And with 41% of photographers saying they want to spend less time editing, AI may just be the solution they’ve been searching for.

Zenfolio report 2023 charts showing improving revenue for photographers in 2022 v 2021

(Image credit: Zenfolio)

“We’re thrilled to share the findings of our 2023 State of the Photography Industry report. Our goal is to help photographers make informed decisions about their businesses, and this report is full of valuable insights and information that can help them do just that” said Jason Egnal, Zenfolio’s CMO.

If you’re a photographer looking to stay ahead of the curve and succeed in your business or just want to see what other photographers like yourself are doing in their workflows and how they are finding the industry we recommend heading over to Zenfolio.com/SOPI (opens in new tab) to read the full 2023 State of the Photography Industry report and you can also access the previous editions if you’re wanting a bit of a year-to-year perspective.

If you want to follow the AI trend and don’t know where to start, check our guide to the best AI image generators for photographers.

Accessories to Make Packing Light More Attainable for Photographers |

By in Photography

Accessories to Make Packing Light More Attainable for Photographers |

Being a photographer permanently changes the way you travel. One sees the world and every destination in a different way that is fueled by curiosity and wonder. At the same time, it also means carrying more stuff around with you.

Most photographers would agree that often the thought of traveling with not too much stuff in your bag seems impossible especially if they prefer to bring multiple cameras or multiple lenses depending on the purpose of the journey and the requirements of the shoot. On top of bringing all your necessary personal items, your gear and everything necessary to make them work properly often fill up luggage space with barely any room to spare.

Some accessories that have been designed to play multiple roles in your travel essentials list can greatly reduce the amount of gear and accessories that you have to carry around. The most annoying part of traveling with gear is probably having to bring a lot of the same things to be more time or cost-efficient. In addition to choosing smaller cameras and considering walk-around lenses whenever possible, here are some tools that I’ve found to be helpful to lessen the things that you have to pack.

1. A Charger for All Your Batteries and Devices

Perhaps the most annoying item to bring in duplicates is chargers especially if you have a lot of different devices to charge. If traveling purely for the sake of exploring and photographing places, one might say that you would be better off with fewer devices to better enjoy your adventure. However, the truth is that a lot of photographers travel for work purposes which is why planning the accessories that you carry has such an impact on how comfortable you can be when in transit.

One great solution I’ve found is to bring a single multiple-port charger that can simultaneously juice up my devices at once. Gallium nitride (GaN) chip chargers make it possible to deliver more power to multiple devices much faster and in a safer manner. These chargers are equipped with fast charging systems that not only do so quicker but also have Power Delivery and other charging standards that determine the optimal charging rate to prevent damaging and over-charging your devices.

I’ve personally been using Ugreen Nexode chargers for this exact purpose. A single 45-watt charger is more than enough for charging a smartphone and your camera’s batteries simultaneously. With the addition of a tablet, a 65-watt charger should be enough to charge everything while you sleep. For the added heavy needs of a laptop, a 100-watt or 140-watt GaN charger can meet most requirements depending on the specific laptop, and of course, its capability to charge with USB-C ports.

2. A Multi-Port Camera Battery Charger

For photographers, the most basic requirement would of course be one for your camera battery and if one intends to shoot continuously throughout the day, one camera battery wouldn’t be enough. Regardless of whether I’m bringing just one or multiple cameras for the trip, I make it a point to have at least 3 or 4 backup batteries with me. Most camera manufacturers make chargers that only have a single battery slot on them and most of the time seem unnecessarily bulky.

There are a lot of dual-slot chargers for most of the common camera battery types that can be found online but I particularly ended up using the XTAR SN4 charger myself because of the possibility of charging 4 camera batteries at the same time. It does come with its own 45-watt charger however it only has a single port so I pair it instead with one of my GaN multi-port chargers for the purpose mentioned above.

3. Modular Camera Bag Inserts

Whether you are staying at a luxurious hotel or setting up camp on a mountain, most of the time there is a chance for you to leave behind heavier personal belongings while you are out to take pictures. This is precisely when camera bag inserts come in handy. By keeping your cameras and lenses in one, you can easily pull them out and attach straps whenever it’s time to shoot and that should allow you to be more comfortable and even more efficient as you go around to take photos. At the same time, if you simply need to free up some space in your bag to make way for more stuff, you can carry the camera insert/case individually to do so. Peak Design and Lowepro are among some of the brands with multiple size options.

4. Collapsible Backpack

In addition to a removable insert, I’ve found it handy to always have a secondary backpack folded up packed along with clothes. For the same reason above, there might be instances when you just want to carry your camera gear and leave your backpack or luggage behind. The folded-up backpack gives you then the option of placing the insert inside it if you are more comfortable carrying it on your back instead, especially when the weight might shift your balance. The Lowepro Runabout Daypack is the option that I have personally tried and it offers an extra benefit of being moisture resistant along with the fact that it is made of eco-friendly recycled fabric. Another option might be the Nomatic Navigator which conveniently zips up into a compact pad when folded up.

5. A Tripod Just Big Enough for the Requirement

This might not be an entirely new option but more of an important factor to consider in gearing up for your travels. Choosing the right tripod for the trip is crucial in reducing the unnecessary weight that you carry around. If you have ever traveled with a tripod, you probably know the impact it would have on how much other stuff you can carry and the size of the bag you put it in when flying. It is always important to foresee how much you will be using a tripod during the duration of your trip. Some photographers only really bring tripods for self-portraits when seeing new places and this is when compact travel tripods or Gorillapods come in handy.

If you’ll be shooting much more with tripods, specifically to do long exposure shots for landscape photography but at a location where you won’t have to brave strong winds or water currents, carbon fiber travel tripods are the best option. However, if you are using heavier camera gear or facing harsh environments then you would obviously have to bring bigger and heavier tripods to be safe.

Preparing for your photography adventure is crucial especially when you have to limit what you carry on your back while you remain versatile to endure the journey. Having options to minimize what you bring without having to compromise on function makes a world of difference in the overall experience. Being comfortable while you travel most of the time affects not just your experience but also your creativity while shooting which is why having the right tools directly affects the quality of the photographs you bring home.

What other travel accessories and hacks do you have to share?

The LG CineBeam Liberates the Living Room From the Television

By in Design

The LG CineBeam Liberates the Living Room From the Television

The LG CineBeam HU915QE Projector is an ultra-short throw 4K projection system, a premium “laser TV” capable of transforming the living room wall into an immersive 120-inch screen experience, eclipsing all but the most exclusively priced – yet still smaller – televisions available today. By all standards, it’s the finest projector we’ve ever tested, producing a bright, detailed, and colorful picture delivering the promise of the “theater” in “home theater.” The LG CineBeam is also a game changer when it comes to home decor, a convincing option for anyone who has always wanted a huge picture minus the dominating presence of a large television set within their living room.

Unlike a traditional projector, an ultra short throw projector (UST) is engineered to produce sizable images from very short distances, making it much easier to position within living rooms rather than a dedicated home theater room. Set atop a surface, we’re talking about mere inches. In the case of the LG CineBeam only 2.2-inches from a wall is required to enjoy a 90-inch 3840 x 2160 resolution picture. Nudge the projector back 3.0-inches and now you’re staring back at a 100-inch screen. And if you’ve got 7.6-inches distance to spare, the grandeur of a 120-inch filmic experience can be conjured by its triple laser technology. Across its range of output, the CineBeam produces natural, incredibly sharp and detailed images. Setup is simple and dialing in a sharp image is accomplished literally with a physical dial on top of the unit.

Out of the box, the CineBeam hosts Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, and Apple TV apps powered by LG’s WebOS platform. We connected our review unit to an Apple TV 4K, which we used to watch everything from MUBI-hosted arthouse films, to HBO’s grisly The Last of Us and the conniving comedy of Succession, a plethora of sporting events, and a daily dose of YouTube content on the LG CineBeam nearly nightly. Despite our imperfectly bumpy and sub-optimal white painted walls, the LG CineBeam was able to project Logan Roy’s disdain in all his growling glory, captured the fine pink angora sweater worn by Nastassja Kinski in Paris, Texas with such cinematic textural detail, we felt like we could reach out and feel its softened sorrow.

NBA game displayed on LG CineBeam projector.

In our own testing we quickly discovered the biggest picture isn’t necessarily the best. “First row movie theater” syndrome can become an issue if seating distances are not taken into account. So while we demoed the upper limits, we eventually settled into a picture a little northward of 90-inches, a picture size more than sufficient for films, television series, and sports.

The LG CineBeam shines brightly, rated for 3,700 lumens output and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (for comparison, a 100-watt bulb produces 1,600 lumens of light). This combination deals well with indirect ambient light seeping in through windows, something that’s always a concern with projectors which operate by reflecting light off a surface rather than delivering light directly to the viewer as a television.

Our living room comprises a series of sliding glass doors, and we were still able to enjoy an acceptable picture despite the absence of window coverings or the use of an Ambient Light Rejecting screen (an addition that would admittedly boost contrast and vibrancy). We found the LG CineBeam well suited to our typical viewing habits, one heavily weighted toward the evening rather than the day. Even so, in instances we wanted to catch an episode or sporting event during the weekend, those 3,700 lumens proved up to the task to outshine afternoon light.

LG CineBeam short throw projector with an off-white case, ridged sides and beige fabric speaker front set against white background.

From a design perspective, LG has veered a bit from the competition. While most ultra short throw projectors are encased in white or black housing (a matte black finish being the most optimal when desiring a projector to disappear from view when the lights go off), the Korean brand has given the HU915QE a fashionable “bisque” hued fabric front redolent of Kvadrat fabric. The sum of the CineBeam’s rectangular simplicity, warmly tinted chassis, and organic textured fabric front equal a minimalist modern device that does well to blend into a space without drawing too much attention – certainly less attention than a typical LCD or OLED television of any size northward of 65 inches.

Speaking of minimalist, the projector houses a built-in 2.2 Channel, 40W speaker system behind its fabric front. That means you could possibly forgo the addition of a soundbar speaker for a clean and simple home theater setup. We still prefer the immersion and more articulate output a dedicated home theater speaker system produces, nonetheless it’s a welcome clutter-free option.

LG CineBeam HU915QE set on top of a low media cabinet with black Sonos soundbar wall mounted above it, within living room with white walls, yellow sofa and blue rug.

Set atop of a low height media cabinet, the LG CineBeam HU915QE looks more like a storage box than a piece of tech in the day, blending in with the rest of the room while turned off.

Priced at $4,700 the LG CineBeam HU915QE is not a budget pick by any means. But considering a 100-inch LED television today can still set you back $12,000, it’s not a completely unreasonable splurge for the home cinephile or sports devotee, especially when factoring the extra efforts LG put into the Cinebeam’s minimalist details – a design capable of liberating the living room from the occupancy of the television while also impressively pushing the viewing experience into movie theater territory.

This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

Gregory Han is the Managing Editor of Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Dressed in Soft Cushions and Bulbous Garb, Colorful Personas Emerge from Frode Bolhuis’ Daily Sculpture Project

By in Art World News

Dressed in Soft Cushions and Bulbous Garb, Colorful Personas Emerge from Frode Bolhuis’ Daily Sculpture Project

All images © Frode Bolhuis, shared with permission

Bound with colorful cushions and twine, draped in chains of spheres, or sprouting a single leaf from their head, the characters that originate in Frode Bolhuis’s Almere studio embody the Dutch artist’s playful imagination and desire for experimentation. Part of an ongoing sculpture project, the expressive cast is currently comprised of 117 miniature figures made primarily of polymer clay with wood, fiber, and metal additions, each of which has a distinctive personality.

Bolhuis (previously) began the project with the intention of creating a new work each day, although he shares that in order to refine the characters’ features and fashion their garments, he’s more likely to complete two per week. While much of his process remains the same as when he began the project in February 2022, the artist is currently branching into textile design in collaboration with the studio Byborre and a loom in his studio. He shares about the evolution of the collection:

I don’t know if they get better but they continually find new forms, forms I didn’t know of before I started. It’s like I’m getting to know myself through the sculptures. It’s a wonderful paradox that the set form, size, and discipline give so much freedom. It really feels as if I can continue this forever and continually develop. It’s magic.

If you’re in Philadelphia, you can see a few of the artist’s works later this year as part of Hi-Fructose’s group exhibition at Arch Enemy Arts. Otherwise, find more of the whimsical personas on Instagram.

 

A polymer clay figure in a blue wheelchair hangs on a gallery wall

A polymer clay figure with a puffy suit hangs on a gallery wall

Several polymer clay figures hang on a gallery wall

A polymer clay figure with striped gown and a towering headpiece hangs on a gallery wall

Several polymer clay figures hang on a gallery wall

A polymer clay figure with a bulbous peach gown hangs on a gallery wall

A polymer clay figure with a striped gown decorated with silver coins hangs on a gallery wall

A polymer clay figure with a gown made of brown fibers hangs on a gallery wall

A polymer clay figure with a bulbous white gown hangs on a gallery wall

A polymer clay figure with a bulbous white skirt hangs on a gallery wall

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Dressed in Soft Cushions and Bulbous Garb, Colorful Personas Emerge from Frode Bolhuis’ Daily Sculpture Project appeared first on Colossal.

Sabine Finkenauer x Marimekko Collaborate on Graphic Collection

By in Design

Sabine Finkenauer x Marimekko Collaborate on Graphic Collection

The Marimekko Artist Series was conceived to allow the heritage Finnish design brand to invite emerging and celebrated artists to interpret their catalog of goods in their own unique fashion. Previous collaborators include artists Virginie Hucher and Landon Metz. Marimekko’s latest artist collaboration announced in time for Milan Design Week 2023 is with Sabine Finkenauer, a Barcelona-based German artist known for her textural abstractions of landscapes composed of rhythmic colors and geometric line work – a perfect pairing for Marimekko’s own textile prints and home goods.

The 16-piece capsule collection is described as a celebration of the “pursuit for timelessness and the expression of art in the everyday objects,” with Finkenauer creating seven exclusive pieces of art to embellish the capsule collection across both ceramics and home textile products. There’s a little bit of Klee and Calder in spirit across the collection; whether printed across textiles or ceramics, Finkenauer’s work melds well to add dimensionality onto hard and plush surfaces alike.

Gray round glossy table with two ceramic mugs and two small trays with red stool underneath,

Large Marimekko x Finkenauer Artist Series textile draped over blue wall with blue metal chair and window nearby

“My artistic method can be defined as a game whose rules I establish by playing,” explains Finkenauer. “And, above all, an aspiration for simplicity in which I believe the greatest beauty resides.” The artist’s vocabulary of simple and bold shapes are in service of both ornament and geometry, which of course makes Finkenauer’s work easily adaptable for objects intended for domestic use.

“[It’s] something very natural and opportune since the dialogue with the crafts and the theming of the ornament are part of my artistic interest,”
says Finkenauer. “For me it has been an extraordinary experience working with Marimekko and knowing that my drawings will shine in many homes accompanying their resident in their daily lives fills me with pride and joy.”

Green table top with ceramic plates, tray, and bowl with rich blue cast iron pot set on Marimekko fabric.

Detail sketch of the Marimekko x Finkenauer pattern designs on green surface table.

Marimekko partnered with Durat, a Finnish company manufacturing three-dimensional surfaces out of recycled plastic for the week-long conceptual and abstract installation at Milan Design Week, one displaying Sabine Finkenauer’s entire creative process from artwork sketches to final products, alongside the premiere of Marimekko’s new glassware series designed by Matti Klenell [shown below] through April 23rd.

Marimekko x Finkenauer Collection bowl and tray set next to Matti Klenell glassware collection on rounded peach-tan table with blue wall background.

Marimekko x Finkenauer Collection tray with dark green glass piece set across peach-tan surface.

For those looking for a more easily and accessible Marimekko collaboration, there’s always the IKEA x Marimekko BASTUA collection (we nabbed a bench ourselves).

The Marimekko exhibition is open to the public through April 23, 2023 at Galleria II Milione in the Brera Design District.

Gregory Han is the Managing Editor of Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Ucross hosting Native American artist talk, reception May 5

By in Native

Ucross hosting Native American artist talk, reception May 5

Ucross — Ucross invites the community to meet the artists and curator behind the Ucross Art Gallery’s current exhibition, “Field Guide: Teresa Baker + Anthony Hudson + Jessica Mehta + Eliza Naranjo Morse,” during an artist talk and reception May 5.

The exhibition features art by recent recipients of the Ucross Fellowship for Native American Visual Artists, a program that supports the creative process of contemporary Indigenous artists through a monthlong residency at Ucross, the opportunity to present work publicly and a monetary award. The featured artists include Teresa Baker (Mandan/Hidatsa) of Los Angeles, California; Anthony Hudson (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Siletz) of Portland, Oregon; Jessica Mehta (Cherokee Nation) of Portland, Oregon; and Eliza Naranjo Morse (Santa Clara Pueblo) of Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico.

New Mexico United: Blending Soccer & Art in the American Southwest | U.S. Soccer Official Website

By in Native

New Mexico United: Blending Soccer & Art in the American Southwest | U.S. Soccer Official Website

“If we put on a different set of glasses with a different set of lenses and tilt your head a little to the right or left, I think they’d see it clear as day, and I hope we can do our part to inspire that chance across the country,” Trevisani said.

The club’s quest for public funding for its own facility failed by a 2-to-1 margin in a state-wide ballot measure last November, but that has not deterred Trevisani.

“The fact is that there was a vote, we heard ‘no’ on a publicly-funded stadium, and that was the night I slept the best of the whole election season,” Trevisani said. “The next day we got up and got on a call and put our heads together and said, ‘What’s next? Let’s pivot. How are we going to fund this privately?’ It might look different.

“It might be in a different location, but the reality is we’re going to keep fighting for our home and this is a 100-year vision,” Trevisani continued. “And having a facility that we know that we can curate and count on is a big part of how we guarantee that plan.”

Like art, rivalries are created

New Mexico United’s upcoming Third Round matchup against USL Championship league mates Phoenix Rising brings back old memories and old conversations.

“When you have games that count [and] when there’s passion, rivalries are born,” Trevisani said. “When you’re playing Phoenix Rising in the Open Cup, sort of the prima donna team with the highest payroll and most high-profile players. With [Didier] Drogba [who played with there in 2017-18 , Phoenix had an attitude and we went out and beat them.”

This year, New Mexico United host Phoenix Rising at The Lab on Wednesday, April 26. Kickoff is set for 9 pm ET.

“The U.S. Open Cup really captures that intensity because New Mexico has a history that we’re not good enough,” Trevisani said. “That we rank last on the good list and first on the bad list, and there are so many people in this state that reject that narrative and want to focus on the good things, and we have so, so many of them.”


“New Mexico is a place where we punch above our weight,” he added. “And in the first year of the Open Cup we actually manifested that and it revealed itself on the pitch when we got to the final eight.

“It just showed that the underdog grit, heart and soul of a team can still go a long way in the Cup, just like they go a long way in America still,” Trevisani said. “The Open Cup really heated up our rivalries and really heated up our club in our state because it was really the first time in a long time that we had a sports team that was representing us at the highest level possible.”

Dennis Pope writes about local sports for the SoCal Newspaper Group and serves in a communications role for both NISA Nation and the Southwest Premier League. Follow him at @DennisPope on Twitter.

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