New York branch of photography museum Fotografiska will close and relocate

New York branch of photography museum Fotografiska will close and relocate

Fotografiska, the global network of photography museums, will close its location on Park Avenue in Manhattan on 29 September as it plots a move to a new, larger New York locale. The Stockholm-founded museum (which also operates locations in Berlin, Shanghai and Tallinn, the capital of Estonia) opened in New York in 2019, taking over the historic Church Missions House, an ornate 1892 building at the corner of Park Avenue South and East 22nd Street. (The building had previously been eyed by one purported German heiress as a possible location for her exclusive art and social club.)

The museum’s two final special exhibitions at 281 Park Avenue South—devoted to the enigmatic self-taught photographer Vivian Maier and the New York street photographer Bruce Gilden (opening 31 May and 21 June, respectively)—will remain on view until the space closes on 29 September. Meanwhile, Fotografiska’s popular bar inside a former chapel and its restaurant, Verōnika, will close in mid-June.

“At the core of Fotografiska is a dedication to inspiring new perspectives by amplifying some of the greatest artists of our time,” Yoram Roth, the executive chairman of Fotografiska’s board, said in a statement. “As it’s become clear that our current space is not conducive to this vision, our commitment to the city’s art scene remains unwavering.”

After closing its current locale, the museum will hold an exhibition chronicling a century of New York nightlife photography at a temporary space.

Fotografiska’s current home is owned by the real-estate tycoon and art collector Aby Rosen’s company, RFR Holding. In 2022, the company put the property up for sale for $135m, a major markup from the $50m it had paid for it in 2014.

Red Panels Updated at Mission: SPACE Mars Sculpture in EPCOT

Red Panels Updated at Mission: SPACE Mars Sculpture in EPCOT
The refurbishment of the exterior of Mission: SPACE continues, with the Mars sculpture getting newly updated paneling.

Mission: SPACE Mars Refurbishment

New red panels have been added to the structure, above and slightly to the right of its entrance. Work on the exterior of Mission: SPACE

Trash photography: Photos through a recycled lens

Trash photography: Photos through a recycled lens

One man’s trash was another’s treasure at Western Washington University’s “Pinhole” photography exhibit. The exhibition highlighted student work from Western’s black and white photography and photography alternative processes classes. Photos and materials were on display from April 29 to May 15. 

“I think you can make something out of anything,” Talia Podrachik said, a student exhibitor. “It’s nice to see [the students in the class] as a team, and all we’ve done and how it all varies. It looks great and I just love it.” 

Garth Amundson, the professor of both classes featured in the exhibition, has made an effort to feature student work wherever he can.

“I’ve made a huge effort to exhibit student work in as many different locations as possible,” Amundson said. “This includes exhibitions in the WWU library, Carver Gym, biology building, downtown Bellingham and several exhibitions in Seattle. After all, what is the point of making art if there’s not an audience to enjoy it? Making art is only the first step, getting people to look at it completes the work.”

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Displays of multiple students’ photography in the Fine Arts Building at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash., on May 13, 2024. The “Pinhole” exhibit highlights students’ work of capturing photos using recycled materials. // Photo by Julia Hawkins

Pinhole photography is linked to the creation of the camera obscura and the common camera used today, according to Amundson.

“Pinhole photography has a long rich history and is a great way to introduce students to analog photography,” Amundson said. “In this context, the introductory class was able to understand the construction of an image while the advanced class was able to push conceptual research surrounding the relationships between camera and image.”

To create a pinhole for this project, students used containers such as Pringles cans and old boxes and covered them in black tape on the inside and outside. A photo could then be taken through a small hole, said Podrachik.

“It’s so cool that we could take random recycled materials and make images out of them,” said Podrachik. “All of these are cool, they have a haunting look to them in some way.”

According to Podrachik, the hardest part of this project was what made it unique: the recycled materials. Developing film through recycled material was a learning process that proved frustrating. 

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The recycled materials that were used by students to create the “Pinhole” exhibit displayed at the Fine Arts Building at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash., on May 13, 2024. The “Pinhole” exhibit highlights students’ work of capturing photos using recycled materials. // Photo by Julia Hawkins

Students are passionate about what they do, said Dr. Christopher Bianco, the dean of the Fine and Performing Arts College. “It is not as easy to get work out there, we are lucky here as musicians, artists and photographers that those outward displays of art are worked into the curriculum.” 

“We often get trapped in our fields of study and silos, so to have students, staff, faculty and the community visit the art department is the ultimate goal,” Amundson said.

If students don’t know about the art on campus, the hope is that they’re surprised about the amount of talent that exists here. The goal is to promote a level of equality for all students because they are talented and deserve to be seen, said Bianco. 

“It’s hard to get out there, there’s such a variety of things that people are good at and so much talent and they’re more niche,” said Podrachik. “There’s so many cool things that no one would see otherwise, and even if it is for a project, you can see their individual style. It’s all a creating and learning process for everyone.”

More about the recent “Pinhole” exhibit and upcoming showings can be found here.


Julia Hawkins

Julia Hawkins (she/her) is a campus news reporter for The Front this quarter. She is a second-year journalism/public relations major. Outside of reporting, Julia enjoys hanging out in The Planet office, baking and asking random people to pet their dogs. You can reach her at juliahawkins.thefront@gmail.com 


Adrien Williams Takes Us to a Peaceful Cabin in Montreal

Adrien Williams Takes Us to a Peaceful Cabin in Montreal

Today’s featured project takes us to a gorgeous forest in Montreal, where we’ll be taking a look at Adrien Williams’s photographs of the chalet Rustic Grade by Maurice Martel architecte.

Adrien shares “The shoot was smooth and easy-going. Maurice Martel is actually a friend and the project happened to be near my own cabin.”

Adrien creates lovely contrast through color, with the warm glow of the cabin’s interior popping out against the blue tones throughout the rest of the image.

The cabin’s glow appears as a warm beacon that draws us in. Well placed in the frame, the surrounding trees relay the surroundings while not distracting from the home.

I love the pup in this next shot. He adds some life and a coziness to the scene. Adrien showcases the open floor plan and how the loft space connects to the living area below.

I appreciate how Adrien decided to turn on the practical lights in this series. There’s a nice warmth (echoed by the wood stove), without too much color contamination or distraction. Things feel just right!

This tidy shot is one of my favorites. There are so many great shapes and lines at play. I love the mix of black and white vertical and horizontal lines, it feels both fun and graphic.

Again, more tidy lines and rectilinear shapes here with a great combination of light and dark elements. There is also a lovely mix of organic shapes and materials (the plants, soft couch, textured wood, etc.) and the smooth, hard, and cool feeling walls and floor.

This project sports a peaceful air that Adrien places us in. We feel like visitors at the cabin.

An interesting perspective translates the loft space and how it looks down onto the main living area. As always, more great lines, textures, and tidy styling that keeps our attention on the design of the space itself.

Many thanks to Adrien for sharing this project with us! What a beauty!

See more of Adrien Williams’s brilliant work at adrienwilliams.com and on Instagram @adrienwilliamsphoto.

If you have a project you’d like to be considered for Project of the Week, you can submit it here.

These are five big life lessons to learn from photography

These are five big life lessons to learn from photography
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Photography is more about an art form, a hobby, or a career. Taking photos can teach you many life lessons, only if you allow it and know how to recognize and embrace those moments of profound knowledge. In her TEDx talk, photographer Felisa Tan shares the deeper meaning behind her art and explores the five ways photography has enriched her life and, by extension, how it can enrich ours.

1. Curiosity: the beginner’s mind

Felisa emphasizes the importance of curiosity, a core tenet in Zen Buddhism called “shoshin” or “the beginner’s mind.” This childlike wonder allows us to see the world with fresh eyes, fostering a sense of openness that is crucial for learning and understanding. Photography, by encouraging us to slow down and truly look, helps us rediscover the magic in the everyday.

2. Honesty: unveiling the truth

Great photographs are more than just pretty pictures; they are reflections of the photographer’s mind. Felisa believes in capturing the essence of a subject, including its beauty and darkness. By embracing honesty, both with ourselves and our subjects, we allow them to reveal their true nature, leading to a more profound connection.

3. Love: the heart of creation

Love is the driving force behind creation, according to Felisa. It compels us to find beauty in the world and share it with others. Through photographs that capture tenderness, respect, and a sense of wonder, Felisa encourages us to see the interconnectedness of all things and appreciate the sacredness of life.

4. Generosity: the gift of seeing

Felisa suggests reframing photography as “making” rather than “taking.” When we make a photograph, we offer our attention, intelligence, and presence, transforming a moment into a work of art. This shift in perspective fosters gratitude and allows us to receive the gift of an image rather than demand it.

5. Impermanence: embracing the fleeting

Photography serves as a powerful reminder of impermanence. By capturing fleeting moments, we are forced to confront the ever-changing nature of life. This awareness, however, doesn’t lead to despair. Instead, it encourages us to cherish beauty more fully and live each moment to the fullest.

Felisa concludes by reminding us that photography is not just about capturing images; it’s about cultivating a way of seeing the world. Through the lens of a camera, or simply with a more mindful eye, we can develop curiosity, honesty, love, generosity, and an appreciation for impermanence – all qualities that enrich our lives and deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

What I’d like to add is that you also learn and gain from failed photo attempts. I shared my experience about the lessons I learned from failed shooting of the comet Neowise. Even if you don’t come back home with portfolio-worthy photos, it’s always worth enjoying the journey even if you never reach the destination, no matter how corny it may sound.

As Felisa suggests, the real gift of photography lies not in the pictures themselves but in the transformation it brings. It cultivates calmness, clarity, and wonder, refining our observations and making us more sensitive to our surroundings. With or without a camera, these skills enhance our ability to experience and understand the world in a more holistic way.

So, the next time you pick up a camera, remember, it’s not just about capturing a scene. It’s about opening yourself to a world of possibilities and enriching your life with many lessons photography has to offer.

[5 things photography helps you appreciate in life via FStoppers]