Megan Thee Stallion Accused Of Forcing Photographer To Watch Her Have Sex With A Woman, In New Lawsuit

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Megan Thee Stallion has been hit with a lawsuit from her former photographer, Emilio Garcia, according to NBC News. This lawsuit is for alleged harassment as well as an alleged hostile work environment. As the outlet reports, this lawsuit was filed back on Tuesday in Los Angeles, and there are numerous allegations throughout. Garcia alleges that the artist fat-shamed him, while also creating a “hostile, abusive work environment.” Based on the lawsuit, Garcia claims to have been working with Meg full-time from 2019 to 2023.

Overall, there is one alleged incident in particular that is being highlighted by Garcia. This allegedly took place in June 2022 during a trip to Ibiza. Following a night out, Megan was with her friends in the back of a SUV. Garcia was there, and he alleges that Meg began having sex with one of the women, right in front of him. “I felt uncomfortable. I was kind of frozen, and I was shocked. At kind of just be the overall audacity to do this right, right beside me,” Garcia said to NBC News.

Megan Thee Stallion Hit With Serious Allegations

Preakness 147 Hosted By 1/ST At Pimlico Race Course In Baltimore, MD - Day 1

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – MAY 20: Megan Thee Stallion performs during Preakness LIVE Culinary, Art & Music Festival hosted by 1/ST at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for 1/ST)

Subsequently, Garcia alleges that once Meg realized he had been in the car, she told him “Don’t ever discuss what you saw.” As time went on, Garcia claims that he was booked for less gigs with Meg and that his pay structure was eventually changed. Moreover, Garcia alleges that Roc Nation eventually told him his services were no longer required. As for the lawsuit itself, Garcia is looking for “unpaid wages, as well as interest on the unpaid wages, unpaid overtime wages and other employee benefits at the legal rate.” The total comes out to six figures.

At the time of writing this, Megan Thee Stallion, nor her team, have delivered a comment. Let us know what you think about these allegations, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.

Read More: Who Has Megan Thee Stallion Dated?

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Sandra Cattaneo Adorno On Reinventing Her Photography Practice At 70, For New Project ‘Ten Years’

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Photography

© Sandra Cattaneo Adorno, from Sandra Cattaneo Adorno: Ten Years (European Cultural Center/Radius Books)

She took up photography as a new career path at the age of 60 in 2013, and now in her 70’s, Brazilian photographer Sandra Cattaneo Adorno is celebrating her new project that was a decade in the making at the prestigious 60th Venice Biennale.

Her new exhibition, Sandra Cattaneo Adorno: Ten Years, opened April 20 at the 7th edition of Personal Structures, which runs parallel with the 60th Venice Biennale. Organized by the European Cultural Centre, the 2024 edition of ‘Personal Structures: Beyond Boundaries’ focuses on the experience of foreigners, émigrés, exiled, and refugees, especially those who have moved between the Global South and the Global North.

Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Sandra Cattaneo Adorno’s life, work, and worldview have been shaped by a lifetime of traveling the globe, fostering a sense of displacement and search for belonging through the act of making art.

Her new photo book ‘Ten Years’ (out April 16 through Radius Press) and exhibition of the same name is imagined as a visual diary without beginning or end, recalling the symbolic language of Tina Modotti, the surrealist archetypes of Leonora Carrington, and the sensuous physicality of Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings of place.

Sandra Cattaneo Adorno: Ten Years (European Cultural Center/Radius Books, 2024)

Printed exclusively with metallic gold ink on black paper that magically transforms quiet scenes of daily life into mystical works of art, Cattaneo Adorno’s glittering scenes of Mauritius, Egypt, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, New York, London, Italy, Portugal, and her native Brazil float in between reality and illusion like scenes from a dream. Like Dora Maar who reinvented her photography practice in her 70s, Cattaneo Adorno is drawn to experimentation and to innovative ways of printing and presenting her work.

Delighting in the combination of immediacy, creativity, and surprise of street photography, Cattaneo Adorno returned to Ipanema, the fabled Rio de Janeiro beach of her childhood, to create Águas de Ouro (Portuguese for “waters of gold”). Revisiting the glittering shores of her youth, she printed the work with gold metallic inks to evoke the elements of water, earth, sun, and sky that sustain life itself.

Ahead of the exhibition at the Venice Biennale, we had the chance to speak with Sandra about her fascinating journey in this new phase of her life and career, the rich symbolism of ignoring the stereotypes about age (especially toward women), and how travel and culture has been a poignant creative guide throughout her life in a number of ways.

Image courtesy of Sandra Cattaneo Adorno

Where did you artistic journey first begin, and what made you fall in love with this medium? You began a new creative path in 2013 at the age of 60. Can you tell us more about why and how you got into photography?

I first started photographing when my daughter, Gwen, invited me to join her in a workshop run by Alex and Rebecca Webb as a present for my 60th birthday. I did not know what to expect from the experience, but I accepted because I thought it could be a good excuse to spend some time with her. As I first started shooting, however, something clicked and I felt a buzz running through me.

Before I started photographing, the street was for me a place that I used to go from A to B without being too conscious of what was happening around me. Through photography, I started to become alert to scenes and gestures that I had never noticed before, and to the beauty of light, shapes and colours. Being able to frame these elements in an image is a kind of magic that still fascinates and surprises me.

When did you begin to compile images for ‘Ten Years’, and how did you decide which photos would make the cut?

I started thinking about this project after publishing my second book, Águas de Ouro, in 2020. For that book, I used metallic inks, but I felt that this technique could be explored more in the future. The idea of having a monograph celebrating my decade of photography gained strength after spending time researching my archives for my the publication of my third book, Scarti di Tempo.

Since the process of using golden ink was experimental, I couldn’t tell what the photographs would look like on paper before actually printing them. Additionally, for the book, I decided to invert some of the images to make them look as if they were photographic negatives, thus expressing their double nature as representations of reality as well as of dreams and memories. This too was, however, quite an unpredictable effect. I therefore decided to select around 250 images I liked and printed them all in small format. These tests gave me a good idea of which image could work well in golden ink or inverted and which didn’t.

There were a few surprises, as it was extremely difficult to predict the printed result. I ended up selecting the photographs where the gold and the inverted technique appeared to enhance the meaning of the image, making it more mysterious and engaging. At the same time, the photographs needed to be pleasing aesthetically, and I selected the images where the gold shone beautifully while creating interesting tonal ranges and bringing hidden details to the fore.

Your images transform ordinary, everyday life moments into something magical using color. Can you talk us through your creative decision and why you wanted readers to see these everyday moments in a new light?

The use of gold sets the images aesthetically apart from ‘real ’life, thus conveying the experience of being ‘foreign. ’At the same time, the golden ink has a very personal significance, as it reminds me of the golden paint used by dancers to cover their body during Carnival in Brazil. So painted, the dancers look otherworldly and magical. Through the golden ink, I wanted my pictures to convey a similar effect of wonder, enchantment and beauty. The black paper contributes to abstracting the figures, as it leaves them deprived of an identifiable background.

A similar effect is conveyed in my new book, Ten Years, as its images are printed with the same ink and paper as the photographs on the wall. In the exhibition, the book will rest on a table and it will be open as an accordion, so as to display simultaneously all the photographs it contains and to allow the public to move freely around it.

How has travel influenced your perspective on life and art, and how they intertwine?

Travel taps into something adventurous and playful in my personality. Play is in fact a fundamental element of my approach to photography: it is at the heart of the feelings of wonder and surprise that motivate me to go out with my camera and take pictures. Being playful and open to exploring also allows me to experiment with my camera without being too concerned about the final result. Taking pictures then becomes a very liberating and creative process. Luckily, if you are having fun when photographing, it invariably shows in the images.

Travelling is also fundamental to me because it allows me to really question what I see. The reality of a place or a situation subsequently becomes the starting point through which I aim to reach another dimension in my images, one that is related to dreams and mystery. For this reason, too, I often photograph through glass, take pictures of reflections or try not to show a scene or a person in a straightforward way.

I didn’t know I could be able to interpret the world around me while communicating in such a personal way before I picked up a camera. It fascinates me that there is so much of me, of my life and experiences in my photos and yet I think I achieve my best shots when I am the most open to the outside world. It is paradoxical, but I believe this is the way in which travel allows me to express my life in my art, as it draws something out of my deepest self while confronting me with an unfamiliar environment.

Can you talk about the notion of displacement and the idea of belonging, and how your work incorporates these themes?

Themes of dislocation and belonging resonate deeply with me, as my personal life and career have spanned many continents and countries. I could even say that my very identity was fashioned by my international background. I was therefore pleased to be able to investigate these experiences while celebrating ten years of my photography in an exhibition at Personal Structures.

The show opens with a projection in which black and gold photographs – images of strangers that I have taken on the streets of different countries – transform into one another. The flux of images of the projection hints at the fluidity of the identity of who is considered ‘foreign ’or ‘other ’and at their difficulty to be fitted into canonical contexts, as foreigners are always re-contextualising their experiences by moving into a different culture. At the same time the photographs, by merging into each other, acknowledge the interconnectedness of people and call for renewed interactions to be established.

The investigation of the themes of displacement and connectedness continues inside the main room of the exhibition, which features thirteen photographs printed in metallic golden ink on black paper and mounted inside black wooden frames. Because of their composition and aesthetics, the photographs look abstract, although a human element is always recognizable. They call for the visitors to get closer and interpret them. Most of the images have been inverted in postproduction, so as to accentuate the feeling of displacement they evoke.

My new book, Ten Years, is displayed on a table in the middle of the same room, open as an accordion. The book juxtaposes images that I have taken in different countries, although it is deprived of linearity and geographical context. While suggesting the experience of travel and dislocation, it also favors contact between people: the visitors will in fact be able to activate new connections and narratives between the images by moving along the piece.

Displacement and an attempt to forge new connections are also evoked by the curtains covering the windows at the end of the room, as a photograph of Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro printed on them overlays the iconic buildings of the Venetian Gran Canal to create a new view of the city.

Society loves to brush women aside after a certain age, but there are many, like you, who are defying the stereotypes and inspiring many other women along the way. What message do you have for people who would try to dismiss your age?

I don’t think I am too concerned about people who try to dismiss my age or put me down, as I am too busy doing the things that I love and using my time and energy positively to realize my dreams and ambitions in photography. I am convinced that my work will then speak for myself.

What message do you have for women who are struggling to find their own identity and place in the world because of their age?

I feel very lucky and privileged to have discovered such a passion in life as photography. Sometimes I wish I could have discovered it earlier, but I think it came at a time when I could best appreciate it and, most importantly, when I was able to fully enjoy it.

I think it is important for women of any age to find something they like doing and that they can feel is exclusively theirs, as women often have to put the interests of other people before their own.

My advice to other women would therefore be to try and find something that resonates with them deeply and that gives them a special spark. They will probably need to experiment with different things before they can find an activity that gives them a special spark, but that’s part of the progress, too.

Once they have found this passion, I would urge them to work hard, but with a light heart, because at this age we are unapologetically entitled to some fun!

How do you feel about being part of the 60th Venice Biennale, where ‘Ten Years’ will be on display as part of the ‘Personal Structures: Beyond Boundaries’ exhibit?

Being able to have an exhibition in Venice during the Biennale is an experience both exhilarating and humbling. I am thrilled to be able to celebrate my

photography with all the wonderful people that have accompanied me along my journey and with my friends and family. At the same time, I feel proud of what I could achieve, because this show is the result not only of a big passion for photography, but also of lots of commitment and hard work.

As someone whose work focuses on the experience of foreigners, émigrés, exiled, and refugees, especially those who have moved between the Global South and the Global North, what draws you to their stories and what connection do you hope viewers will find with those people in your images?

As I mentioned earlier, their stories resonate deeply with me because of my personal experience. Eventually, I would like the viewers to be able to establish a similar connection with their experiences through my images. I would like the photographs to create a space for imagination and dream in which the viewers could participate while feeling that they, too, are part of a bigger world and that they share experiences with a diverse range of people.

You can purchase a copy of ‘Ten Years’, out now through Radius Books, and see more of Sandra Cattaneo Adorno’s work on her website. Follow Sandra on Instagram and Twitter.

Photographer puts focus on firefighters

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Photography

John Keller manages Chicagoland Fire Photos, a photography website dedicated to displaying the hard work of firefighters throughout the Chicagoland area.

After his camera equipment was stolen in March, friends and family of Keller raised over $2,000 through a GoFundMe page to help replace the equipment.

In Ernesto Neto’s Largest Installation to Date, the World Is a Crocheted Ship Moving to a Single Rhythm

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Art World News

Photo by Joana Linda. All images © Ernesto Neto, courtesy of MAAT, shared with permission

An enormous, cascading installation of crocheted fabric strips stretches across a cavernous gallery in Ernesto Neto’s newest exhibition. At MAAT in Lisbon, the Brazilian artist (previously) presents Nosso Barco Tambor Terra, which translates to “our boat drum Earth,” a solo exhibition encompassing one of the largest suspended sculptures he has ever made.

Created with a team of assistants in his expansive Rio de Janeiro studio, the new piece draws on images of sails and maritime materials like canvas and rope. Neto nods to the history of transatlantic voyages between Europe and South America, stitching remnants of bright chintz, common in Brazil, into a swathe of fabric punctuated by points of interest like a vessel full of decorated drums or corn kernels, a symbol of international trade. Historically, the percussive instrument kept a rhythm for the galley rowers, some of whom would have been enslaved people.

a detail of colorful strips of chintz fabric crocheted into a suspended sculpture

Photo by Joana Linda

Suspended from the ceiling, the central work in Nosso Barco Tambor Terra adopts a cell-like structure, with numerous colors and patterns that intertwine, drape, stretch, and overlap. The piece suggests “a ship, a primordial beast, a forest, or even, and more likely, all of those things and infinite others,” writes curator Jacopo Crivelli Visconti in the exhibition text. He emphasizes that Neto portrays the world as a whole, defining the earth as “ancestral, pre-colonial, and even pre-human.”

The artist considers the dark legacies of enforced displacement and slavery during colonial rule, which the Portuguese implemented in Brazil. He situates the work as celebration of the planet’s array of people, cultures, and “worldviews whose strength and beauty one must recognise, reaffirm,” Visconti says. Amid destruction and chaos, Neto’s ark-like vessel envisions a way to propel the whole world forward.

The exhibition opens May 2 and continues through October 7 in Lisbon. Find more from MAAT.

an overview of an expansive crocheted installation suspended in a large gallery space with rope-like pieces and weights draping it down to the floor

Photo by Joana Linda

layers of crocheted chintz fabric in a large museum installation

Photo by Joana Linda

two side-by-side images showing crocheted details of chintz fabric suspended in a large sculpture, with the image on the left showing a pocket full of corn kernels

Photos by Joana Linda

a view looking up at a large crocheted installation

Photo by Joana Linda

a group of assistants work on crocheting a large suspended sculpture made from strips of chintz fabric

Photo by Paulo Schettino

two side-by-side images showing different installation stages of a large sculptural installation in a museum

Photos by Joana Linda

a large crocheted installation spread out on the floor of the artist's studio

Photo by Paulo Schettino

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 In Ernesto Neto’s Largest Installation to Date, the World Is a Crocheted Ship Moving to a Single Rhythm appeared first on Colossal.

8 Places to Appreciate Indigenous Culture in the United States

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Native

There are approximately 5.2 million “American Indians and Alaska Natives” in the United States, making up 2% of the population. To truly understand American history, we must look to the First Nations that occupied the land long before European settlers arrived. Their Indigenous culture and traditions strengthen the fabric of the United States, and as time passes the country has slowly recognized and reconciled past errors. The last few years have been full of long-awaited victories, like the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians finally changing their names, or TikTok emerging as a platform for Native creators to share their stories.

Today, we celebrate Indigenous culture. It is all around us. To further learn from and appreciate the Indigenous people of America, visit any of these places.

1. Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation is the largest Native reservation in the United States, spanning 16 million acres throughout Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. There are countless sites that have risen in popularity due to their picturesque nature, including Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon. When you visit these sites, you will have a Navajo guide as they are the only ones granted commercial access to sacred land.

The annual Navajo Nation Fair is held in Window Rock, Arizona—Navajo Nation’s capital. Taking place every September, this weeklong celebration features horticultural exhibits, art displays and markets, a parade, and a cultural showcase.

Other attractions include ancient Anasazi ruins and perfectly preserved dinosaur tracks from the Jurassic Era. The Navajo are renowned for their hospitality, operating three lodging properties in the heart of Navajo Nation—the NavajoLand Hotel in Tuba City, Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital, and Quality Inn Lake Powell. All three are staffed almost exclusively with Navajo people and ready to accommodate you as you “explore Navajo.”

2. Miccosukee Village

The Miccosukee people were originally part of Creek Nation but migrated to Florida before it became part of the United States. Most were pushed west as a result of wars, but 100 or so refused to surrender and took shelter in the Everglades. Today, over 600 members of the Miccosukee Tribe are direct descendants of those who stayed behind, and have established a prominent presence just 25 miles west of Miami, Florida.

There are three exciting opportunities for visitors to Miccosukee Village. First, guests can learn how to touch and mount a Florida alligator. Those who are bold enough will find that a live alligator wrestling selfie is hard to top—but equally hard to take. Second, guests can take an airboat ride through the Everglades with Miccosukee fishermen, hunters and froggers as guides. A highlight of the trip is a visit to a small island, where you can see an old-fashioned Miccosukee camp.

Finally, the Miccosukee Museum features a village with “chickees,” traditional open-sided houses of the Miccosukee people, as well as patchwork sewing and cooking demonstrations. There are several annual festivals, the most highly anticipated of which is the Miccosukee Indian Arts & Crafts Festival, featuring storytelling, fire performances, and handmade arts and crafts. All proceeds go to the Miccosukee Educational Fund to provide educational programs for Miccosukee youth.

3. Grand Canyon West Rim

The Grand Canyon West Rim is home to the Hualapai Tribe. As such, National Park passes are not accepted here. There are over 1,300 tribal members living on the premises and well-known attractions like the Skywalk and zipline are part of their entrepreneurial ventures. This means any fees or money spent while there directly benefits the Hualapai people.

Your journey starts with a visit to Hualapai Point, formerly known as Hualapai Ranch. There, you’ll find a trading post with tribe ambassadors crafting artistic creations from Sunday to Tuesday. From Friday to Sunday, there are daily performances by Hualapai singers and dancers. For traditional cuisine, try the Gwe Ma’Jo Restaurant, serving breakfast and lunch—the frybread is a must. You can purchase handmade souvenirs at Native Hands, on site.

Popular lookout areas include Eagle Point and Guano Point, with panoramic views of the Canyon. Colorado River rafting is also available through Hualapai River Runners. They offer one or two day tours with certified Hualapai guides. On the tour, you’ll learn about the geology of the region, local flora and fauna, and history of the Hualapai people and their Indigenous culture. Guests can stay at the Hualapai Lodge, the starting point for river rafting along Route 66, the Cabins at Grand Canyon West near Hualapai Point, or RV parking near the main terminal. RV reservations must be made by phone. All activities close by 4:30 pm.

4. Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee Tribe was one of the most displaced by the Trail of Tears. Originally located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Georgia, modern Cherokee Nation consists of 14 counties in Oklahoma. With much resilience and resolve, the Cherokee people have continued to thrive. Responsible for the first newspaper in Native territory, they have always been renowned as a progressive people, boasting a long history of trade and alliance with Great Britain and Europe long before any settlers arrived.

Popular sites include the Cherokee National History Museum, where guests can take lessons in arts and crafts and study the Cherokee Syllabary. The highly anticipated Cherokee Art Market takes place every October in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to which only the most elite artists are invited to compete for a $75,000 grand prize. Guests can observe artwork demonstrations and admire stunning displays of Native jewelry, pottery, textiles, paintings, and sculptures at this event.

Note that the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma is different from the Eastern Band of Cherokee based in the Qualla Boundary of North Carolina. If you’re visiting the latter, don’t leave without stopping at the world famous Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, located right across the street from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

5. Haudenosaunee (a.k.a. Iroquois) Confederacy

Also referred to as The League of Nations or Haudenosaunee, the Confederacy is made up of six different tribes: the Seneca, Cayuga, Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, and Tuscarora Tribes. They came together centuries ago, and their organizational model is believed to have influenced the U.S. constitution. Scattered throughout upstate New York, Wisconsin, Quebec, and Ontario, guests can visit attractions hosted by each respective tribe.

The Seneca Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca, N.Y. features over 300,000 pieces of ancient and modern art, including wooden face masks, corn husk dolls and horn rattles. They moved to a new building in 2018 and have expanded significantly to include an outdoor amphitheater, archives, offices, and the Onöhsagwë:de’ Cultural Center. There are events year-round, including moccasin making classes, corn husk doll classes, singing and dancing classes, and other explorations of Indigenous culture. Every November they have an annual festival that features and supports local artists and Indigenous food vendors.

In Victor, New York, the Ganondagan State Historic Site is located on the original site of a 17th century Seneca town. Today, it connects visitors to the culture and natural world of the Seneca through workshops and lectures by Indigenous speakers, interactive exhibits, and the annual Hodinohso:ni’ Art Show at the on-site Seneca Art & Culture Center.

On Labor Day weekend, the Annual Iroquois Festival takes place at the Iroquois Museum in Howes Cave, New York. The beautiful costumes that the dancers and singers wear might be the highlight of the festivities. As always, be sure to ask before taking any photos. The Iroquois Museum is open April through November generally and is well worth a visit.

6. Standing Rock Sioux Reservation

Spanning more than two million acres, the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is the fifth largest in the United States. The reservation is rich with historical significance and natural beauty.

The region is known for its bald eagle spotting opportunities, with the eagle considered sacred in Native cultures. Visitors can drive along the Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway, which spans 86 miles. It has markers and interpretive signs that tell the history of Indigenous tribes in the area.

Along the drive, make a stop at the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center. The Lakota are one of the main tribes of the Sioux. The museum has a collection of artifacts, a gift shop, and events like book readings and Museum Monday, free weekly presentations held in July and August to educate the public about Lakota philosophy, anthropology, and other disciplines.

In nearby Mobridge, you’ll find the Klein Museum, with 10 murals by Native artist Oscar Howe. This is also home to the Sitting Bull Monument. Chief Sitting Bull was the Sioux leader known for defeating General Custer at Little Bighorn but beloved for much more, and the monument was built to mark his final resting place.

If street art is your thing, stop by Eagle Butte. The Red Can Graffiti Jam is an annual festival organized by the Cheyenne River Youth Project that has resulted in various murals throughout the area. They blend Lakota and graffiti culture to revitalize neighborhoods and give a new platform to Indigenous artists.

7. Wind River Reservation

The Wind River Reservation in southwestern Wyoming is home to both the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapahoe Tribes.

Nature lovers can take a trip up the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway. A 40-minute drive (not including stops), the aptly named byway goes from Shoshoni to Thermopolis, home of the world’s largest mineral hot spring. There are plenty of camping options at Gannett Peak, the state’s highest point, with elevations upward of 13,000 feet.

Be sure to stop by Sacajawea’s gravesite at Sacajawea Cemetery in Fort Washakie, Wyo. Fort Washakie is also the final resting place of Chief Washakie, one of the most prominent leaders of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. The Fort hosts Eastern Shoshone Indian Days, the reservation’s largest annual event, open to the public and held in June. The event features a collective powwow, rodeo and re-enactment of the signing of the Treaty of 1868.

8. Chickasaw Country

The Chickasaw Nation has a jurisdictional territory in Oklahoma, but migrated throughout Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, and Tennessee. The Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur, Okla. is a state-of-the-art venue with permanent and rotating exhibits, agritours and cooking demonstrations, a speaker series, and hands-on educational activities.

In Oklahoma City, Exhibit C Gallery serves as an art gallery and retail space. It is Chickasaw owned and features pieces by Native artists. It is also a tourist information hub and can provide information on other indigenous attractions and activities throughout Chickasaw Country. For those in Mississippi, Tupelo also has a Chickasaw Heritage Trail.

Jen Ruiz is a full-time travel writer and content creator. She is based in Puerto Rico.

Why Prince Louis’s photo is the real deal!

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Photography

By Elmira Tanatarova

Published: 12:33 EDT, 23 April 2024 | Updated: 12:41 EDT, 23 April 2024

The Princess of Wales‘s birthday portrait for her son is ‘very honest’ and ‘done really naturally’, an expert has revealed.

Speaking to FEMAIL, London based professional photographer Glenn Gratton explained how Prince Louis’s photo was not likely retouched at all, and shows a perfectly candid family snap.

‘If she has done any photoshop, it’s very subtle,’ he added. ‘She’s clearly more advanced with her photography. Her pictures have improved year by year on.’

The youngest child of Kate Middleton, 42, and Prince William, 41, celebrates turning six today, after returning to school following the Easter holidays.

Glenn pointed out that the young royal’s skin tone is natural, with his mother ‘keeping his skin blemishes’.

The Princess of Wales's birthday portrait for her son is 'very honest' and 'done really naturally', an expert has revealed

‘He’s only six,’ the photographer added. ‘She’s not tried to make him look like a wax work. Some parents over-filter their children’s pictures.’

He also remarked that you can tell the lighting is natural, as you can see it reflected in Louis’s eyes – meaning there was no ‘artificial’ set-up.

Glenn said there are elements in the photo that would have stood out for someone experimenting with photoshop – ‘his feet are a little bit distracting… and his eyes are little bit dark, so you’d lighten them up’ – but the Princess chose to keep the details in.

‘It’s a straightforward, honest picture taken nicely,’ he concluded, positing that Kate likely used a portrait lens to create the blurred background effect.

‘Her photography’s improving,’ the expert added. ‘She’s using better cameras.’

Prince Louis is beaming from ear to ear in the adorable photo released this afternoon.

Typically, Kensington Palace will release portraits of the Wales children early in the morning to mark their birthdays, however fans were left disappointed this morning when the social media accounts for Kate and William did not feature any photos of the cheeky six-year-old.

In a break with tradition, William and Kate shared a photo of their younger son this afternoon rather than at midnight on his birthday as is customary with new royal portraits. It is understood the photo was released later than usual because the family is going through an ‘unprecedented’ time.

Mother-of-three Kate revealed in March that she was undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy for a type of cancer that remains undisclosed

The youngest child of Kate Middleton, 42, and Prince William, 41, celebrates turning six today, after returning to school following the Easter holidays. Louis and Kate pictured last year

The photo was taken in the grounds of Adelaide Cottage by his mother, the Princess of Wales, who often photographs her children’s birthday portraits. It suggests that, as she recovers from chemotherapy, she is feeling well enough to get back behind the camera.

The caption read: ‘Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! Thank you for all the kind wishes today.’

As the beaming prince looks into the camera, he is lying on his front and looks all grown up with his brunette hair swept to the side, and a smart checked shirt.

He appears to be wearing dark shorts with bare feet and is lying on a fleeced blanket.

The picture is understood to have been unedited, following the furore that resulted over the Princess’ photoshopped Mother’s Day picture, which saw it withdrawn by international picture agencies. She later apologised for the confusion.

Normally the couple issue a photograph of each of their children to mark their birthdays in advance for use on the day itself.

This year the Wales’ had originally decided not to do so given that it is such an ‘unprecedented’ time for their family.

Prince Louis delighted fans with his expressive antics during the various Platinum Jubilee celebrations

The most stylish royal! Prince Louis, then four, left royal fans in stitches as he danced to the music at the concert

The young prince's cheeky antics went viral as royal fans were left in hysterics at his funny behaviour

As he flashes his biggest smile, the young prince also appears to have lost a couple of his baby teeth since his last official appearance on Christmas Day 2023.

Louis’s sixth birthday comes as the Wales family takes time away from the spotlight while the Princess recovers from abdominal surgery and subsequent cancer treatment.

Mother-of-three Kate revealed in March that she was undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy for a type of cancer that remains undisclosed.

In a heartbreaking video the Princess of Wales detailed how the cancerous cells were discovered, while she was undergoing surgery for a different condition in January.

She explained that she had not spoken out about it earlier because she wanted to have time to ‘explain everything’ to George, Charlotte and Louis and assure them ‘she’s going to be ok’.

This was also the reason the William was forced to pull out of a memorial service for his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece, as it is understood that this was when the family first found out about Kate’s condition.

The Princess of Wales pictured holding a camera as she takes part in a a photography workshop with the charity 'Action for Children' in Kingston in June 2019

In her emotive statement, Kate said: ‘The surgery was successful, however, tests after the operation found that cancer had been present.

‘As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment.’

The last time royal fans were given a glimpse of Prince Louis, the young prince appeared with his siblings, Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, eight, as they smiled alongside their mother Kate on Mother’s Day.

The snap released by Kensington Palace, generated controversy when picture agencies around the world issued ‘kill notices’, over concerns it had been ‘manipulated’.

Both the agencies and eagle-eyed internet sleuths noticed several inconsistencies in the photo, including in the alignment of Princess Charlotte’s skirt, her hair, and the zip on Kate’s khaki jacket.

Following the social media storm, the Princess of Wales was forced to issue a statement admitting she had ‘edited’ the image – which had initially been hoped would quell wild conspiracy theories that had circulated about her health.

In a post on Instagram and X/Twitter, the Princess said: ‘Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing.

‘I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C.’

Prince Louis was born on April 23, 2018 in the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, like his older siblings Charlotte and George.

A statement from Kensington Palace at the time read: ‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs.

During Louis's last public appearance on Christmas Day 2023 at Sandringham, he put on another heart-warming display as he held hands with his second cousin, Mia Tindall, on the way to St Mary Magdalene Church

Prince Louis also put on an enthusiastic display during his grandfather King Charles III's Coronation

‘The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.’

Since then, he’s become known for his flair in front of the camera and has previously delighted royal fans with his expressive performances at royal events.

At Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the young royal, then four-years-old, took centre stage as the royal family appeared on the balcony.

Alarmed by the noise caused by the Red Arrows circling overhead, he covered his ears and winced.

Similarly, the youngster charmed audiences around the world with his antics at the concert held in honour of his ‘Gan Gan’ and her 70-year reign.

During the concert, Louis was seen larking about as he played with his mother and sat on his grandfather King Charles’s lap.

Last year at Trooping the Colour, he once again stole the show with his funny antics, and delighted fans once again on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as he got into the spirit of the Red Arrows and pretended to be a pilot.

He also made viewers chuckle as he arrived in a carriage with his siblings at Horse Guards Parade – and seemed put off by an unpleasant smell.

The prince scrunched up his face and held his nose as the carriage moved along, while his older siblings seemed unfazed by the smell.

As Kensington Palace celebrated Louis’s fifth birthday last year, Kate and William released a snap showing their youngest son’s playful side and his strong bond with his mother, as the Princess of Wales was seen pushing him in a wheelbarrow while he gleefully beamed.

The previous year, another photo of the Prince, taken by Kate, was shared by Kensington Palace which showed him playing on the beach in Norfolk.

During Louis’s last public appearance on Christmas Day 2023 at Sandringham, he put on another heart-warming display as he held hands with his second cousin, Mia Tindall, on the way to St Mary Magdalene Church.

Mia, nine, is the eldest daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall, and has two younger siblings herself, Lena and Lucas.

Christmas 2023 was Louis’s second time joining his family for the annual trip to St Mary Magdalene Church as he is now deemed old enough to attend.

Sharing the image on Instagram and X, the royal couple wrote: ‘Happy 6th Birthday, Prince Louis! Thank you for all the kind wishes today.’

Capturing Richmond’s Wild Heart: An Interview with Photographer Bill Draper

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Bill Draper is arguably Richmond’s leading outdoor photographer. His renowned photos of landscapes and wildlife in the James River Park System have garnered widespread admiration. He’s celebrated citywide for his exceptional ability to capture Richmond’s beauty and the enchanting natural surroundings.

Several years ago, he released a book titled A Photographic Journey Through the James River Park System, with proceeds benefiting the Friends of the James River Park. He also created a 2024 calendar for the organization. Draper is renowned for his extensive collection of photographs of the Hollywood Cemetery buck, which he captured over several years before the animal was tragically poached in December.

Bill Draper interview by Terry Hurley_RVA Magazine 2024 — Photo by **Bill Draper**

He answered some questions for us on his approach and how he gets those beautiful images of life on the James.

Terry Hurley: Don’t want to get too personal here but how old are you and where do you live?

Bill Draper: I’m 72. My wife and I live in Richmond after moving from Short Pump almost five years ago. We are now downtown overlooking the river as we wanted to be closer to the 600-plus acre James River Park System.

TH: How did you get started in photography?

BD: I studied photography in college but worked in healthcare sales and marketing for 40 years. After retiring in 2016, I began carrying a camera on my runs and while biking and kayaking.

TH: What made you focus on outdoor photography in Richmond and especially, the James River Park System?

BD: I grew up in Richmond close to Pony Pasture and spent my summers fishing, swimming and canoeing on the James. It is part of my DNA. I have a passion for viewing and photographing wildlife and landscapes especially in the light of early morning and late evening.

TH: Your images, especially of the wildlife, are amazing. I’m sure it’s not easy to capture some of those shots and it must take some time to get what you want. They don’t pose for you, do they?

BD: Getting the best landscape and wildlife photos does take a commitment, getting out early, many times starting in the dark, walking a mile or more to be at a certain spot at sunrise. The other challenge is to be ready for the unexpected opportunity. I am always watching the lighting conditions and making changes to camera settings to be ready to quickly get that special photo. Many times it is a matter of seconds, especially when it comes to wildlife. I compare it to the wild west, you have to be quick on the draw.

TH: What do you most enjoy photographing?

BD: Capturing a beautiful sunrise or sunset on the James River, mountains, or seashore. A favorite with wildlife is photographing running or flying animals and birds.You see them from a totally different perspective.

TH: What are the most difficult shots for you?

BD: My most difficult shots are those flying birds and running or walking wildlife, especially with marginal light.

TH: What times of day work best for you?

BD: Morning is by far the best time of day for me with evening being second. Wildlife tends to be more active in the morning and late afternoon. This kind of light makes photos look more pleasing in most cases.

TH: Do you have any favorite locations along the river? By now you must know where to find your subjects.

BD: Favorite locations change based on time of year, wildlife migration and other activities. It is interesting that some of the best wildlife can be accessed easily by almost anyone. I have photographed deer, wild turkeys, eagles and waterfowl from the Huguenot Bridge. Downtown bridges including Potterfield, Mayo, Manchester and Belvidere are great for flying ducks, eagles, ospreys and other birds. I spend a lot of time walking along the river, in many cases finding unexpected photo opportunities. In other words, I don’t always find wildlife I originally expected to see. Beautiful river sunrises and sunsets are always potential opportunities when photographing wildlife along the riverbanks.

TH: How many photos do you normally take in a day and how many hours are you out with your camera?

BD: The number of photos I take on a normal day has changed quite a bit over the years. Not too long ago 100 photos a day was normal. Today with the newer technology cameras that take 20 to 30 photos per second, one to three thousand photos per day is very common, especially with moving wildlife. As an example, many times people ask me how did I get that flying bird photo with the wings in the perfect position. The answer is that at 30 photos per second, I got all the wing positions and picked the best one. I delete 95 percent or more of my photos each day, keeping the best ones.

TH: Do people stop and talk to you when they see you out and about with your camera? I assume some probably recognize you from your social media presence as well as your book and calendar.

BD: I do talk to people along the river every day. The number one comment, “wow that is a really big lens.” Surprisingly enough, many people do ask “are you Bill Draper” followed by “I really like following your photos on social media.”

TH: If you don’t mind, how expensive is the equipment you use?

BD: I will just say that I started with a basic camera and lens combination for less than $500 and over the years have continued to upgrade my equipment to the top mirrorless cameras with good quality lenses. The photo book that I did on the James River Park was almost completely done with a $400 camera and an iPhone.

TH: Do you have any simple tips for us amateurs on taking nature photographs on our smart phone?

BD: The quality of smartphone cameras improves each year. There is a significant improvement in the camera phones from just a few years ago. They have improved to a level that in my daily travels I carry a 600mm lens for wildlife and my iPhone 15 Pro Max for landscape photos. Newer Android phones also have great cameras for landscape and people photos.

TH: Lastly, is there anything else would you like us to know about your work photographing the landscape and wildlife in the Richmond area?

BD: I have a passion for being outdoors and viewing wildlife. I enjoy hiking, running, bicycling and kayaking. I always have a camera with me during these activities. I push myself to get out on a regular basis for several reasons. One is just being outdoors and having a desire to take the best photos I’m capable of taking. However, the most important reason, at age 72, is to keep my body moving and staying in good physical condition and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

In 2015 I developed a very painful back problem that made doing any physical activity almost impossible. I was told by numerous surgeons that I needed a three-level spinal fusion. I talked with a trainer and she asked me to give her three months and if that did not help then have the surgery. I continued to slowly improve and years later the back pain is gone. My biggest motivation in getting out each day is to stay in shape and keep the back pain from coming back. I call it my extreme moderation program.

You can follow Draper’s work on social media and his website: billdraperphotography.com.

Photographer develops film using weed, in a world’s first

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Photography

This “4/20” (April 20), an international day celebrating the smoking of cannabis, was made memorable by Dmitri Tcherbadji, a photographer in Vancouver, Canada.

Dmitri, who writes for the Analog Cafe website, conducted a unique photography experiment using cannabis. He has created the world’s first film developer made from cannabis flowers, which he calls “Sativa Cannanol.”

This development is interesting considering that, traditionally, black-and-white film development relies on commercially produced chemicals. Besides, photographers typically use alternative, homemade developers such as Caffenol, made with instant coffee.

AIPAD’s the Photography Show Gears Up for 2024 Edition, and a Return to the Park Avenue Armory

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Photography

Running April 25–28, 2024, the Photography Show presented by the renowned Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD)—the oldest fair devoted exclusively to the medium of photography—will return to its historic home at New York’s Park Avenue Armory. Bringing together 77 international exhibitors, the fair offers visitors the opportunity to explore and discover the myriad facets of photography, both historic and contemporary.

The forthcoming edition of the event is marked by a surge in young galleries and first-time participants, including Marshall Gallery, Scottsdale; Olivier Waltman, Paris; and the Third Eye Gallery Aya, Osaka; , alongside returning exhibitors—such as Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York; Catherine Couturier Gallery, Houston; and Galeria Vasari, Buenos Aires. Returning and new visitors can expect a comprehensive and dynamic range of photography will be presented; archival and vintage photography will be juxtaposed by the work of recent, experimental works, emerging photographers alongside canonic names from the history of the medium.

A grid of 12 photographs where the blue seen through the framing of city buildings appears to be the same shape as a skyscraper. Featured at the Photography Show.

Peter Wegner, Buildings Made of Sky X (2021). Courtesy of Marshall Gallery, Santa Monica.

Accompanying the exhibitor presentations, AIPAD is hosting a full slate of programming geared towards visitors of all ages. Panels moderated by leaders within the field, guided fair walkthroughs, as well as other educational events lend themselves to dialogue and an overarching theme of discovery. Included in this are AIPAD Talks, taking place over the course of the weekend days, is organized by Chair of the Education Committee Andra Russek and will offer attendees insight into forthcoming exhibitions both in New York as well as across the East Coast.

A black and white photo of curving roadways with diamond shapes superimposed over top at regular intervals, to be shown at the Photography Show.

Dakota Mace, Tséyi (Among the Canyons) (2023). Courtesy of Bruce Silverstein Gallery, New York.

The opening of the fair will also see critic, curator, and writer Vince Aletti awarded the prestigious annual AIPAD Award, which is dedicated to an individual identified as a pioneer within the medium and has contributed to new understandings of photography. Aletti in conversation with 2022 AIPAD Award winner Jeff Rosenheim will start off the AIPAD Talks series Friday, April 26.

A black and white photo of a patterned clear glass with a strip of paper nearly submerged inside, to be shown at the Photography Show.

Grete Stern, Glass with Paper (1931). Courtesy of Galeria Vesari, Buenos Aires.

Executive Director of AIPAD Lydia Melamed Johnson said, “It’s an honor to host this dynamic lineup of speakers onsite as they share new curatorial projects, speak on how to build thoughtful photography collections, and predict the future of the art market. Every year, we work diligently to create engaging programs that will ask challenging questions and dive into the rich history of the medium. Our goal with AIPAD Talks is always to bring together this community of artists, curators, and art enthusiasts, and the explore the ever-changing landscape of photography.”

The Photography Show presented by AIPAD will be held April 25–28, 2024.

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Big deals, big parties, big dresses – Dafydd Jones’s 1990s New York

Apr 23, 2024 By Admin in Photography

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In 1981, back from art school and looking for work in his hometown of Oxford, Welsh photographer Dafydd Jones decided to turn his camera on life at the university. His photographs of the beautiful and privileged eating at their dining clubs caught editor Tina Brown’s eye, and she hired Jones to shoot for Tatler in London, and later for Vanity Fair in New York. “In England, I’d become too well-known as a Tatler photographer,” Jones says of his move to the US. “It was wonderful to be invisible again.”

His latest book, New York: High Life/Low Life, collects his photographs of 1990s New York together for the first time. Working the city’s social scene with his Leica M4-2 and Starblitz flashgun, Jones chronicled the era’s mystique and couture, its pomp, big budgets and big personalities.

Martha Reed with a champagne swizzle stick at the Spanish Institute’s Gold Medal Gala, The Pierre, 1989 © Dafydd Jones

The New York City Ballet Annual Luncheon, the Waldorf, 1988 © Dafydd Jones

One photograph from 1990 catches archaeologist Iris Love’s dog (Just Desserts) and socialite Brooke Astor’s dog (Dolly Astor) as they vied for the pup-friendly canapés at a dachshund party hosted by Midtown West trattoria Barbetta. Others reveal his subjects’ resting expressions: a po-faced Rupert Murdoch at a New York Magazine celebration at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1993, or Diane von Fürstenberg contentedly sampling the catering in the bustling Four Seasons hotel kitchen during a Sunday benefit party in 1989.

Mica Ertegun and Irith Landeau leave the Literary Lions party at New York Public Library, 1989 © Dafydd Jones

It’s also a portrait of a time during which New York’s creative community was “being decimated” by AIDS, Jones writes in the introduction. “One evening I was given a list of parties, one of which was at a private apartment on 23rd Street. When I arrived, I realised something was amiss and slowed down. It was Robert Mapplethorpe’s final birthday party. A terribly sad occasion as he was clearly not long to live. He was surrounded by his friends.”

Saul Steinberg at his 50th birthday party in Quogue, New York, 1989 © Dafydd Jones

But it’s the creative energy of the era, the money that flowed through the magazines and institutions, that stand out most strongly for Jones: Aretha Franklin at the 1994 pre-Grammy celebration at The Plaza Hotel, flanked by acclaimed record producer Clive Davis and Robbie Brooks, or André Leon Talley spraying John Galliano’s hair white at Industria Superstudio photography studio. “In retrospect, these pictures are already of a very different New York City,” he writes. “Only the dramatic weather has remained the same.”

New York: High Life/Low Life by Dafydd Jones is published by ACC Art Books at £30

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Where did you artistic journey first begin, and what made you fall in love with this medium? You began a new creative path in 2013 at the age of 60. Can you tell us more about why and how you got into photography?

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Society loves to brush women aside after a certain age, but there are many, like you, who are defying the stereotypes and inspiring many other women along the way. What message do you have for people who would try to dismiss your age?

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