Artist's Statement via Video

I've been meaning to post the work I did in 2005 for a very long time. I made this video for graduate school. Not many people have seen it. It's a 20 minute video that explains who I am, what I do and why. You could call it an artist's statement, but it's a lot more than that. For me, it covers both context and intention. The two most important ingredients for an artist. If you invest 20 minutes of your time, you will learn why I make photographs and what drives me to make art.

In these videos, I talk about where I grew up, what I saw, who I was around and some of the questions that came from my youth and the people I knew then. To sum it up, it's about the questions that I never had answered about people who are different. It's about how we define "different" and how "different" should be viewed.

In the video, I interview some of my sitters. I let them answer some basic questions about themselves and the project. Some of the material is for mature audiences - please be aware of that before you watch them. Some of the content could be very disturbing for some viewers.

Please remember, this is not documentary work, this is art, my personal expression, my opinion, my questions, etc.  There is no need to email me about exploiting people or "crossing the line". These images, interviews and concepts belong to me and the people who chose to help me explore them. The people in these videos are my friends. In fact, I consider them my family in a lot of ways. They are kindred spirits.

"Those who know how to look will learn from his clear and powerful photographs, and will discover more about themselves and more about others."
Writer Alfred Döblin commenting on August Sanders’ work.

A 20 minute video about Quinn's background, process and interview with a couple of his sitters.

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.

The Getty & My Wet Plate Collodion Photographs

Last Friday, I received a package from The Getty Institute. It contained information about my photographs I submitted for their analysis and collection for the project, "Preserving the Chemical Photography Era".

It's packed with information about the Wet Plate Collodion images I submitted. There's a lot of "geeky" scientific stuff (Get Your Geek On!). I'm going to make some more images for them - they've asked for some specific things to help them with their research and moreover, for future generations. I believe that there will be a time, in the not-to-distance future, when "photo students" won't know what film is, let alone a process like Wet Plate Collodion. It makes me feel honored to be a part of this project!

The Getty paper.

Analysis on my Collodion photographs

Details of the analysis at the Getty.

My Book For Next Year

If I do okay at the show in Paris, this book will follow around this time next year. I think I will do an edition of 10 books  - we’ll see.

This is scaled down (of course) the real book will be 12” x 12”, 116 pages, on very nice paper, hardcover with a image-wrap – I’m psyched about this!

"Vergangenheitsbewältigung"

"Anonymous" 4"x10" Wet Plate Collodion Ambrotype

 Annonymous Ambrotype - 4" x 10" - Clear Glass Ambrotype - Viernheim, GermanyI made this image a couple of hours ago - it was overcast and cool. I used north light (for the mask/effect). It was a 20 second exposure with my Hermagis lens ~375mm - f/9.

This plate looks a lot better when you are holding it in your hand - believe me! It's hard to copy/scan plates, but especially difficult if they are on clear glass.

Here's a snap of my new camera, too: