7 views of the backyard

obsession, compulsion and repetition

5 views of the sky & trees

6 views of the oak tree

different seasons, different years

fall 

late summer

early summer

late summer

early fall

late fall

2 chairs, 3 sets

organizing my archive, starting small

2 chairs, lake mauweehoo

2 chairs, west stockbridge

2 chairs, sherman

"The World's Foremost Authority"

Professor Irwin Corey, June 20, 2012

Sniffen Court, East 36th Street, NYC

Prof Corey is a Comedian- Social Commentator- Activist whose stance on the American government has made him a defiant radical who has used humor and intelligence to flay the hypocrisies of censorship, repression and corruption. He is 98 years old in this photograph, a month from 99. 

Calling himself "The World's Foremost Authority",  his comedy acts consist of non-sequiturs and malapropisms, wacky bits of knowledge that express his opinions and distastes of such subjects as money and power.

I shot these on one of the hottest days of the year, after 5 P.M., at his home, after he spent an afternoon panhandling for change at the entrance to the Midtown Tunnel. He collects nickels, dimes, quarters and bills from people as they wait in their vehicles. On his return to his home each day he patiently adds up his earnings, which he contributes to a charity which buys needed medicine for Cuban children. He's sent tens of thousands of dollars to help them.

http://www.irwincorey.org

Photograph © Ellen Wallenstein 2012

from "Respecting My Elders"

Creative Wisdom from Arthur C. Danto

Arthur C. Danto, NYC, 2009

from "Respecting My Elders"

photograph @ Ellen Wallenstein

".... My main thought is that creativity should lead to work that others are interested in. I've been successful as an artist, a philosopher, and an art critic. In each of these I tested them to see if anybody cared, that is, would anybody pay for them. I made livings in each case, though philosophy proved to be the main source of interest to others. If nobody is interested, in this sense of the term, it would be very difficult to keep being creative." 

Summer Plans

I have not been blogging, though I have been writing in my journal.
Will try to make an effort to post things here, if relevant.

I am looking forward to the summer, teaching a few book workshops, but nothing much.....the last few summers I taught pre-college black&white photo at SVA, but this summer they are re-doing all the darkrooms, so no classes. I will miss it (esp. the $$) but look forward to having the summer for me, to work on my "Respecting My Elders" catalogue and (eventual) website. To have time to take in, rather than give out. I can use the break: the last year has been a whirlwind of fund-raising, teaching, etc.

In October I will be giving a lecture on my work at the Center for Alternative Photography here in New York City. Apparently film is now an alternative. http://capworkshops.org/2012/10/23/ellen-wallenstein-artist-lecture/. The photo above is a self-portrait from "Ellis Island- Ghost of My Ancestors", made in 1987.