Vivian Maier: An Untold Story

Self Portrait

Francis Ford, a local portrait photographer, brought Vivian Maier's photography to my attention a few weeks ago. For those who do not know, Maier was an American street photographer during the 1950's and 60's. She worked as a nanny for 40 years, and on her days off she would wonder the streets of Chicago with her Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera. Apparently, she did not show her photographs to others, and often neglected them, herself. She left hundreds of rolls undeveloped when she passed away. 

In 2007, a Chicago historian, John Maloof, discovered Maier's 100,000 negatives, 600 undeveloped rolls of color film, and several hundred undeveloped rolls of black and white film when they were for sale at a local auction.

As her story continues to unfold, Maloof maintains a blog of Maier's wonderful street photography. Some 90,000 negatives are still waiting to be scanned.

Currently, Maier is being honored with a one-woman show at the Chicago Cultural Center. "Finding Vivian Maier: Chicago Street Photographer," is on display until April 3, 2011.

*Images courtesy of http://vivianmaier.blogspot.com/

beauty in decay

I thought I'd share a few images that caught my eye today. While listening to an interview with Sally Mann, I spent a few minutes researching her series "Proud Flesh". I really love the mystery and vulnerability of these images taken of her husband, who is suffering from muscle dystrophy. 

 

grandmother's wrinkles

Topographic maps, like wrinkles, map surface contours. In my investigation of topographic maps, I found that early topographers used stereoscopic images of the land's surface to guide their drawings.  

Below are a few examples of the stereoscopic pairs I have been working on...

Stay tuned for more to come, including the very beginnings of my handmade stereoscope!

the simplicity of winter

During the process of creating and experimenting, I always find myself venturing down new paths. The path I currently find myself on is full of scientific exploration and a lot of trial and error. Amidst these lengthy processes, I have regained the joy of simplicity.

 

 

  

Kodak T-Max 400

Minolta X-700

ArtWorks for Milwaukee's unique approach to employment

As part of Gallery Night and Day, ArtWorks for Milwaukee unveiled two separate projects created during their Fall 2010 programs, "Positive Influence Project" and "Safe Place Mural". Each project conveyed youth-driven messages, including anti-guns/gangs/drugs, and residents who make a difference.

Beyond the messages in the art itself, ArtWorks for Milwaukee's mission is to prepare teens to enter Milwaukee's workforce by utilizing the arts to teach employability skills.

ArtWorks for Milwaukee believes...

• Strong employment supports strong communities.
• Underserved teens who develop employability skills contribute to strong communities.
• Utilizing paid internships is an effective way to engage underserved teens and train highly transferable job skills. 

Image Courtesy of 88.9 Radio Milwaukee

To date, with over 50 successful diverse arts-based programs being completed by over 250 Interns since 2001...

• 75% have gone on to complete high school
• 51% have secured gainful employment
• 23% have successfully applied to other Internship projects through ArtWorks

Keep an eye out for ArtWorks for Milwaukee's upcoming spring and summer projects!