Saturday, January 19, 2008

Ed Hamilton, Author of "Legends of the Chelsea Hotel" Book Signing & Reading At Dupont Circle Olsson's

The Chelsea Hotel recently made news as money hungry corporate types ousted long-time proprietor Stanley Bard and his family.[In} danger of losing the artists and outlaws that made it the cities "rebel Mecca", author and Chelsea Hotel resident Ed Hamilton recently released his book Legends of the Chelsea Hotel: Living with the Artists and Outlaws in New York's Rebel Mecca. The book, an extension of the Hotel Chelsea Blog, started as a chronicle of the outrageous events that always seem to happen at the hotel, but with the removal of the Bards, may be a eulogy of sorts.

For Hamilton, Legends Of The Chelsea Hotel is also something of a labor of love. The book begins with the residents gathered in the hallway of the hotel after a fire that may or may not have been started by the hotel's telephone operator — who is herself a rather eccentric character. Sadly, it ends with the inevitable realization that like so many other things these days, the Chelsea is about to become the latest victim of gentrification — despite the rich history detailed here.

While Hamilton has been on a book signing and reading tour mostly in NYC since Legends Of The Chelsea Hotel late October release I am pleased to report that Ed will be in WDC on Thursday evening, 31 January 2008, for a 7 PM book signing and reading event at Olsson's Books & Records at Dupont Circle (South).

Here are some reviews:

The book signing and reading event begins at 7 pm on Thursday evening, 31 January 2008 at Olsson's (Dupont Circle South) which is located just a few feet south of the Dupont Circle South Subway Station exit at 1307 19th Street, NW, WDC. Telephone 202-785-1133.

Fetish Photographer Adam Kozik Work Included in LA's Antebellum Gallery "S&M For Valentine Day" Group Exhibition

Though I first became acquainted with Adam Kozik when he contacted me on 13 December 2007 regarding my connection to Robert Mapplethorpe who his work is often compared to ... I wanted to make sure that my blog posting pertaining to Kozik's inclusion in LA's Antebellum Gallery "S&M For Valentine Day" Exhibition was in conjunction with the Mid Atlantic Leather Weekend.

Born in Chicago, in 1970, Adam Kozik's work is of thee classical tradition. After attending The American Academy of Art in Chicago, where he studied painting and drawing, Kozik moved to New York City in the 1990s where his interest in photography grew.

Kozik traveled to Europe in 2001, and lived in Paris for six months where he was introduced first hand to the style of classic mannerism, which continues to serve as a mainstay in his work today. In order to create his own images he turned to photography. Interested in portraiture, when returning to Chicago, he found an entirely new world for the photographer with gallery associations, commissions, and future artistic course.

Adam had his first shows in the spring of 2007 in Chicago, with two galleries showing his homoerotic works. Adam’s diverse works - S&M, floral images, still lifes, and commissioned portraits - are brought together by the photographer’s constant approach to clarity and honesty.

Here are some Press Reviews regarding his work.

Though he and his partner are in the process of relocating BACK to NYC from Chicago, in the midst of putting the final touches on the prints that will be included in the "S&M for Valentine Day" Group Exhibition at the Antebellum Gallery in LA Adam says "After exhibiting relatively small prints in the past year, this will be the first exhibit where all of the pictures are 13" x 19". I'm using a fiber based inkjet paper. The tones are real warm and rich - it's very nice paper, though quite expensive .... The result is the nearest that I have seen to produce similiar silver gelatin darkroom prints. Even though the process is entirely digital. The quality of the finished print is almost as important to me as taking the picture."

Owned and operated by Rick Castro, the Antebellum is a casual space for art and engaging conversation. Antebellum Gallery is intended as a hybrid of artistic, cultural, and political iconoclasm.

ANTEBELLUM GALLERY presents "S&M: an exhibition of sadomasochistic art" will feature the works of Mitchel Evans, Adam Kozik, Aj Epstein, Marsorama, Rick Castro, Tony Ward, Dillinger, Ashley, Buck Angel Elayne Angel, Dave Naz, Domasan, Edward Lucie-Smith, Fakir Musafar, Robert Maplethorpe, Herb Ritts, Steven Meisel, Joel-Peter Witkin, Pier Paolo Pasolini & More.

Opening on Valentine Day, 14 February 2008, with a 6 - 9 pm reception ($5 admission) the exhibit will be on display until 15 March 2008.

Rick Castro's Antebellum Gallery is located at 1643 N Las Palmas Avenue in Hollywood, CA. Telephone at 323.856.0667. Email at antebellum@earthlink.net.

A contributing artist to the Tom of Finland Foundation (Los Angeles) and Leather Archives & Museum (Chicago) Adam Kozik can be reached by email via his contact page.

Or, if you are 18 years of age or older, and are interested in being photographed by Adam Kozik, please submit inquiry (with JPG image) and brief self-bio by email at adam@adamkozik.com.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Friday's Photo of the Week . 18 January 2008

Richard Dertadian In Search of Arshile Gorsky
Midtown . 11 West 53rd Street . NYC
Wednesday afternoon, 6 September 2007

I. M. Pei and MoMA Curator Barry Bergdoll Reflect on the Life, Design & Architecture of Marcel Breuer at National Building Museum's Lecture Series

I. M. Pei, Founder of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and reknown architect of WDC's L'Enfant Plaza Promenade Complex, Waterfront Mall and the National Gallery of Art - East Wing Building joined Museum of Modern Art's Architect & Design curator Barry Bergdoll on stage last night at the National Buiding Museum's lecture and symposium series to discuss and reflect on the life, design and architecture of Marcel Breuer.

One of the most influential architects of the 20th century, the 6:30 until 8 pm lecture was held in conjunction with Marcel Breuer: Design and Architecture Exhibition of the Vitra Design Museum, Germany which opened on 3 November 2007 and will be on display at the National Building Museum until 17 February 2008. Available online, the exhibition catalogue may also be purchased from the National Building Museum's Gift Shop.

Having embarked, in recent months, on an ongoing Southwest Federal Center Project I was delighted to learn that Breuer had been the architect of the HUD Office Building. Other Works of Breuer in WDC included the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial and the Hubert Humphrey (HEW) Building at Independence Avenue at 3rd Street in SW WDC.

Though this was my first, it will not be my last lecture / symposium that I will attend at the National Building Museum.

Click the above photo to view my "Marcel Breuer: Design and Architecture" Lecture - National Building Museum - 17 January 2008 photoset.

Here is my video compilation which represents the first of my ongoing Architecturally Speaking Series.

CALOR is this Sunday night with DJ Paulo!


Wednesday, January 16, 2008

DC Photographer Frank Muzzy's "Bear" Images Featured On Cover & Inside of Winter 07/08 Issue of White Crane Journal

Though bears had been contemplated for the Winter 2005 issue of the White Crane Journal DC gay photoartist Frank Muzzy was smitten, a few months ago, when the editors of White Crane requested his permission for use of his Red Bear self-portrait for the cover of then upcoming Winter 2007 / 2008 issue of White Crane Journal.

A gay journal magazine dedicated to exploring Gay wisdom, White Crane Issue #75, THE BEARABLE RIGHTNESS OF BEING features two images from Muzzy's Bear To Bare Series.

While Muzzy's self portrait, Red Bear, graces the cover his "Mid-Morning" is featured in the Taking Issue section.

Created by Robert Barzan in the Summer of 1989 as the White Crane Newsletter, White Crane Journal is a quarterly forum for exploring Gay Culture and Wisdom.

An independent thought-provoking journal of gay thought published four times a year, White Crane Journal relies on the support and contributions of subscribers to keep going.

Here is where you can find locations in your local area that carry White Crane. Since I live in WDC, I'll be stopping in at Lambda Rising at 1625 Connecticut Avenue, NW, to pick up a copy for inclusion in my Magazine Collection.

Contact Frank Muzzy at muzzydc@verizon.net.