My Final Workshop in Germany

Jasmine & Abel - 6"x6" Black Glass Ambrotype - 7 Nov., 2010It's bitter-sweet. I just finished my last Wet Plate Collodion workshop I'll do in Germany. Two photography teachers from Brussels came down; Erwin and Frederick. We had a good time. It's always fun, and I'll miss it terribly. However, there is a time to call it and this was it. I could be weeks away from being back in the United States and I need time put things away, both literally and psychologically. I need to separate a little bit. Time will do this.

Jeanne asked a friend, Jasmine, to come over so that Erwin and Frederick would have someone to make portraits of - other than each other or me. Although, they made plenty of images of one another. Jasmine brought her boyfriend, Abel. They were patient and kind, I ended up making this portrait for them.

There will be more teaching and more exciting things in the U.S. for me, I know it. I'm already looking forward to it!

It’s Coming Along Nicely, Thank You - The Paris Exhibit

For the last few weeks, I’ve been able to ignore most of the distractions in my life and concentrate on getting ready for my exhibit. It’s been really nice. We don’t have a television but the other technologies can be a huge distraction. Give up Facebook, email, (fill in the blank) forum(s), for a week and see what happens. Your attitude toward these things change a little bit. (In all honesty, I didn’t give them up completely, but cut way back).

I’m on track and feeling good about most everything. There is still a little bit of anxiety – I want it perfect, or as close as possible to perfect as I can get it.   Framed work waiting to be wrapped, packed and sent to Paris.

I’ve been framing and varnishing images for the last few days. Two coats of varnish per image and several days of drying – it’s process but they look outstanding! The plates look wonderful matted and framed, too. I get a rush seeing all of this – I can’t believe that I made all of this work (sounds ego-oriented, but true)! Where in the hell did I find the time to do all of this and sleep? There are 70 pieces, almost 100 images! Keep in mind, this is Wet Plate Collodion work!

It looks like we are going to rent a VW Transporter and keep it in Paris while we’re there. We had originally thought to rent a van, drive it over to Paris, unload it and turn it in there in Paris. Then we would take the train back home after the first week (opening, lectures, demos, workshops, etc.). I think I’d be “stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime” doing it that way not to mention the hassles and headaches. We’ll pay the fees and keep the van and drive it back. By the time we pay for a taxi, train, we’ll pay about the same (which is a lot).I hanged and varnished 10 large ink jet prints for the show. They turned out very nice.

From what it sounds like, I’ll be making a lot of portraits there. I have five days and one night of making portraits. Standing room only, 20 minutes per session – really? There are that many people interested in having their portrait made? Maybe I can pay for the van for the week (grin). I think I’ll do okay on that front. 

The gallery has pulled out the big guns – they’ve got some great press on the event. I’m going to have a journalist from Réponses Photo (French magazine) in the first workshop. I should have the cover and a portfolio spread from it. That won’t be too bad, eh? There are a lot more doing pieces on the event, too. Yummy! 

I’ll post more as things unfold. So far, so good.

Vernon Trent, from Düsseldorf came down yesterday for a Wet Plate Collodion "refresher" and to make some images for a piece for stern.de. I think there was a totally of nine images. He made a couple of really nice ones. Here's a couple of snaps from the day. We capped it off with me making a portrait of him with his new camera.

The models: Christian and Carina. 
Whole Plate Alumitype
Vernon - photo by Quinn Jacobson - Whole Plate Alumitype
Wet Plate Collodion images – Viernheim, Germany 13 February, 2010

My Paris Show Part One: Preparing

This isn't the first time you've heard me talk about (or read me write about) my show in Paris. And I can assure you, it won't be the last.

I'm excited beyond words. I'm completely focused on making this the best it possibly can be. So, if I seem aloof, slow to respond or appear to be dropped-out, you know what I'm doing and where my head is!

The Centre-Iris Gallery has started to publicize the events. There will be a few highlights; first, the exhibition (of course!). I will be showing both of my projects; work that I made in the United States and my current European project. I'll have about 50 images from the project, "Portraits from Madison Avenue". I will also have several pieces, I'm not exactly sure how many,  of my new project, "Vergangenheitsbewältigung" (loose translation: "struggling to come to terms with the past"). I'm still working on this project, but I hope to have quite a few pieces in this show.

The content and Collodion variants will span the gamut. There will be portraits, landscapes, still lifes, etc. There will be Black Glass Ambrotypes, Clear Glass Ambrotypes, Albumen prints, Salt Prints, Alumitypes, and Ferrotypes (Tintypes). I'm going to offer sell the work, too. This is a big deal for me and it's very important that I do this right!

Quinn making Pierre's portraits in Paris - June 2009
Secondly, I will be doing a public demonstration (performative lecture) the afternoon of the opening (March 9). I'll also be teaching two workshops during the week. If you're in, or near Paris, drop Centre-Iris Gallery an email and have them hold a spot for you!

And last, but not least, the gallery has asked me to do a "Portrait Day". This will be on March 10. People can come by the gallery and I will make a portrait for them (for a fee, of course). It was a hit in Paris last June. I would expect the same here, maybe even more people Oy! We'll see.

This is a gigantic logistical challenge. I'm going to rent a Volkswagon Van. I need to pack all of my artwork (huge space and very delicate items), Collodion equipment (dark-box, camera, lenses), chemistry and substrate, and luggage. And then we have to fit in it, too! I'm hoping this works! It's a four and a half hour drive to Paris. Have you ever driven in the city of Paris? Oy!

There will be more to follow... I promise.

Barcelona Wet Plate Workshop 2009 Part 1

We wrapped up the first workshop here in Barcelona tonight. I can’t say enough about Atelieretaguardia Studio. They are wonderful people (Rebecca, Israel, Marti and Xavi) in a wonderful place. Thank you for inviting me again and hosting these events. What incredible memories for me! Johanne from Norway.

We had 9 people in the workshop; Mercedes (Spain), Marta (Spain), Rosell (Spain), Jana (Serbia), Bryan (Serbia/Ireland), Agnes (Spain), Ramon (Spain), David (Spain), and Johanne (Norway). Thank you! I’m honored to call you friends. You made some wonderful images over the last few days! And your varnishing techniques rival the “master’s”! Congratulations for a workshop well done! I look forward to seeing you all again!

It’s late, and I’m sitting here in our apartment, a short distance from the Mediterranean Sea. I’m listening to the people in El Raval live their lives. El Raval is a special place. It’s poor and it’s real, real as in authentic. We shop at the local stores, eat at the local cafes and enjoy being “among the people” – it’s very comfortable. Say what you will about El Raval, I love it, most wouldn’t.

El Raval is a neighborhood in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona, Spain. The neighborhood is also known as Barri xinés, meaning "Chinatown." El Raval is one of the two historical neighborhoods that border the Rambla (the other being the Barri Gòtic). The neighborhood is home to 200,000 people.

An area historically infamous for its nightlife and cabarets, as well as prostitution and crime, El Raval has changed significantly in recent years and, due to its central location, has become a minor attraction of Barcelona. It is currently the home to a very diverse immigrant community (50% of its population was born abroad), ranging from Pakistanis and Indonesians, to a more recent Eastern European community, especially from Romania. El Raval is also becoming one of the hippest up-and-coming neighborhoods of Barcelona where many artists live and work. It is home to many bars, restaurants, and night spots. (Wiki)

We have a few days now before the next workshop. We’re sleeping in tomorrow, and when we get up, we’ll wander around El Raval, drink some Cortados, watch the people, and enjoy being alive and being in this place.

(Photo above right: “Johanne From Norway” – Quinn Jacobson 8x10 Black Glass Ambrotype - demonstration)

Göteborg, Sweden

Sweden is beautiful, laid back and the people are very friendly. It’s the land of the Goths – it seems progressive and liberal. Being next to the sea is a great feeling, too. We set up the studio today and are ready for a really great weekend of Wet Plate Collodion!

Quinn showing off 100 Kronor on the top of the ship this morning (4 September) floating into Göteborg, Sweden (he looks a little bit Goth, yes?). We sailed by Denmark in the night and arrived in Sweden at 9AM this morning. A 13 1/2 hour journey – a big beautiful ship and a wonderful night feeling the sea below us. 
Saling into to Göteborg and the sun coming through at about 0800 this morning.