Stars & Stripes Article and the REAL Me

Stars & Stripes Article and the REAL Me
(aka Ego Bohemian Post - Just for fun)

Stars and Stripes interviewed me for an article yesterday (called Spotlight not really an article, a Q&A) and I submitted this photo for it. I'll post a link when I get it. I was "conservative" on my views, but still let a few things slip...

The real me. Unkempt, drinking coffee and wine and rambling about politics and art. December 1, 2007 - Viernheim, Germany

November 9th & 10th 1938

I find it disturbing that every year November 9th (& 10th) comes and goes as uneventful as any other day. Germans (and Germany) do nothing, or very little, to commomorate or memorialize Kristallnacht (1938), which was the beginning of the Holocaust. However, the Neo-Nazis seem to do something every year on this date.
Last year in Berlin, they destoyed a Kristallnacht memorial and this year (a couple of days ago) they took a bus to Prague and wanted to march in the old Jewish Quarter there. We were there (in Prague) last year and the video footage I saw about this event was haunting. There's something strange about seeing the same places you have been full of Neo-Nazis and police. The Czech people came out in big numbers and said, "No way in hell are the Nazis going to march in the Jewish Quarter here". I wonder why the same thing didn't happen in Germany 70 years ago? This is a big quesiton for me. I'm beginning to explore it through my artwork... stay tuned.


Jewish Synagogue Burns During Kristallnacht - Almost immediately upon assuming the Chancellorship of Germany, Hitler began promulgating legal actions against Germany's Jews. In 1933, he proclaimed a one-day boycott against Jewish shops, a law was passed against kosher butchering and Jewish children began experiencing restrictions in public schools. By 1935, the Nuremberg Laws deprived Jews of German citizenship. By 1936, Jews were prohibited from participation in parliamentary elections and signs reading "Jews Not Welcome" appeared in many German cities. (Incidentally, these signs were taken down in the late summer in preparation for the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin).

Workshop in Reus, Spain

Well, I have four days of exciting news to try to fit into one (short) blog entry. I haven’t had time to write because I’ve been busy (non-stop) with workshops in Reus, Espana, or really Catalonia (aka Spain). If you’ve never been to Spain, I can tell you it’s my personal favorite place in Europe (yes, I like it better than Italy). The people are unbelievably friendly, the cities are gorgeous and cultural abounds (not to mention the food, wine and prices here). We left Germany early Saturday morning and drove to Avignon, France, a beautiful old city. We stayed the night there and got up early Sunday morning and drove into Reus, Catalonia (Spain). The Catalonians are wonderful people and are very protective of their culture. They speak both Espanol and Catalan here, however, they prefer Catalan. Reus is south of Barcelona. It takes about an hour to drive to Barcelona from Reus. Reus is a beautiful small Mediterranean city, full of culture. We came here because I was invited to do a three day workshop in Collodion at the Center for Photography, Reus (Mas Inglesias). The workshop went very well and kept me very busy! There were six people that attended. All of them very talented in their own ways (as artists), it was very rewarding and enriching for me. I had a wonderful time. Summer spent two days with me and Jeanne came over to the studio a couple of times too. Tonight, they had a journalist and a photographer there to do a story on the event – they took photos of me and asked questions (they also looked at my work and watch my DVD). Afterward, the city of Reus presented me with gifts and made me an honorary member of the Photography Society of Reus (a very high honor). They also awarded me the Gaudi Medal of Honor. I was beside myself. Finally, they gave me the last set of editioned Gaudi works (photographs and text) the center had. I couldn’t believe it!! Jean, Summer and Lucky was there to see it all! Tomorrow, we are on our way into Barcelona to do one more workshop. Friday we will see the city and Saturday we will head back to Germany.

Florence, Italy

What do you think of when you think FIRENZE (Florence), Italy? Michaelangelo's David has been forever burned into mind. The 15 foot marble miracle is something that almost takes your breath away (unfortunately, they didn't allow cameras in the gallery). It's over 500 years old and it looks like it will stand for another 5000 years. You can see the metaphor he used in the work. The hands and feet seem huge and the meditative gaze of David, who just killed a giant, is powerful and strange. His nakedness and size is also an important metaphor. And, as Jean said as we were looking at the work, David also danced naked for God.

Florence's (Firenze's) claim to fame reads like a who's who from a college world history class. Da Vinci, inventor and painter. The Medicis, one of Europe's most ruthless ruling families. Danté, whose Inferno stabilized the Italian language and gave us metaphors we still use today. Savonarola, a Reformer a century too soon. Michaelangelo, history's greatest sculptor. Machiavelli, father of modern politicians. Galileo, who redefined the universe. Vespucci, a mapmaker who named a couple of continents. Artists, politicians, writers, explorers. The world would not be what it is today without Firenze. And you can feel that idea as you walk the streets of the city. It's a living, breathing city of art and history (gelato too).

We wish you all were here with us!! We are leaving Italy in the morning. We'll do a little bit of shopping today in Lucca and meet up with Fulvio this afternoon to go see some things off of the tourist track - Ciao!

There were several works in the Piazza della Signoria that were amazing!

Benvenuto Cellini's statue Perseus With the Head of Medusa in The Loggia dei Lanzi gallery on the edge of the Piazza della Signoria.

What do you think of when you think of Firenze? Michaelangelo's David has to be at the top of the list - that and the Firenze Duomo!

We had to get get tight to get the shot, but we did it! This is the fake David, we did see the real one in the Accademia -

A detail of the Duomo - incredible and beautiful!

The Duomo from another angle.


One of the most amazing sites in Firenze is the Duomo - the center of the city. It's amazing and the photographs do it NO justice. The detail and size it truly mind-blowing.

Poppa and Summer sharing Sumer's Ipod on the train back to Lucca.

" Merda" means shit in Italian - I've always liked stick figures.

Momma and Lucky on the train back to Lucca.

A constant reminder everywhere in Europe is that the current administration has really made it hard for Americans living (and traveling) abroad.

Viareggio, Italy

Today started with a long, hard rain storm. It cleared by 1000 and we were on the road to Viareggio, Italy by noon. It was only 30 minutes from the hotel and a very nice drive.Viareggio, Italy is on the west coast. The Mediterranean Sea is gorgeous and most of it in Viareggio is exclusive (private beaches). However, we didn’t know that. So, the first place we went was the beach called “Perla del Tirreno” (see photo below). We were on a private beach taking pictures, picking up seashells and basking in the sun when a young man approached Jean and told her that this was a private beach and dogs weren’t allowed. It was ok, we were ready to go anyway. It was fun and beautiful! Although, there were people in Speedos and Bikinis there that shouldn’t have been (no, not me!).

After the beach, we wandered the beach walk and ate lunch then did some shopping. Just a WONDERFUL time all around and a giorno bello!

A street painter in Viareggio. It seemed he was teaching these two young ladies how to paint. It smelled wonderful.

Isn't this a cute picture!!!??!!

This is the private beach we "used" - gorgeous!!

Another "sexy-beast" shot (at least that's what Jean calls them).

How dramatic!! Our young Drama Queen!!

Summer braids my hair now. This is random but relavant. You know why!

Is that the Med Sea behind us?? Yes it is!!! (sorry Lucky).

This is the play Jean and Summer went to in Firenze!

This is the way to live!! Bella, Bella Bella!!!!!

Italy

It’s difficult to find time to edit photos, write text and get on the web to upload, so I’m combining two days into one blog entry.

First, we met a friend named Fulvio Notarstefano. I know Fulvio from my wet plate photography board. He lives in Lucca. He spent the day with us. He showed us Lucca and we had lunch together. He also gave us one of his wet plate Collodion images and a nice bottle of wine (Italians are so friendly!). Lucca is beautiful (Bella Italia!) It’s very unique in that EVERYTHING is old! It’s all original stuff. The architecture is gorgeous and the little alleys are amazing.

Later, we went to the train station and got on a train to Firenze (Florence). It’s about 50 km from Lucca, but takes 1.5 hours by train because it stops a lot. Jean and Summer had tickets to the opera of La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini (Pucinni is from Lucca) at 18 Maggio street in Firenze (Florence). I watched Lucky (strolled him around the city at night) while they were at the opera. I ended up at a café (sitting outside) talking to an English couple for almost two hours. I drank a couple of glasses of “Bianco Toscono” (they even bought me one). I enjoyed it very much. Jean and Summer liked the opera too, we got back to the hotel at about 0130.

Yesterday, we drove into Pisa. It’s only six miles from where we are staying. Pisa is a great city. It’s a lot like Lucca but with the “Torre de Pisa” (Leaning Tower of Pisa). We had to get some “super kitsch” from this lady. She was about four feet tall and had huge teeth. Her “super kitsch” was cheap and interesting. Not that we like to buy kitsch, but we have made it kind of a “tradition” to buy “super kitsch” at the heavy tourist spots. As long as it’s cheap and inexpensive, we’ll buy a few pieces.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa has a big beautiful grass (park) where you can sit/lay in the shade of the tower. We “chillaxed” there for a while and then wandered down the road and found a nice café called, “De Mura da Nomma Teta” on Largo Pariascio 33/34 – Pisa. And yes, pizza and wine DO taste different (much better!!) in Italy.

Inside one of the MANY churches in Lucca.

I was very intriguied with several of these kinds of alleys. This has posters for a Firenze art show.

I loved these paintings you see on the churches in Lucca. They are beautiful.

This is one of my favorite pictures. I've made a habit of shooting portraits in these reflective disks. Left to right; Fulvio, Summer, Quinn, Jean and Lucky (below).


The Leaning Tower of Lucky! Pisa, Italy.

An empty street in Lucca during "siesta". Italians KNOW how to live.

The Jacobsons in the Torre park... no hands leaning against the tower, NO!!

Down the road from the tower....

Molto bella! Italian kitsch lady! Oh, so many torres and super kitsch!

A tunnel through the wall of Lucca... very interesting history!

Walking on TOP of the walls of the city of Lucca.

Can you guess what this is??? It's in Pisa.

Old bike in Lucca. I'm attracted to these views... I don't know why... they are harmless and innocuos.

Four nuns late for church in Lucca.

Through the Alps Into Italy

I'm sitting in the Da Carlos hotel in Lucca, Italy typing this. I'm 7 miles from the "Pisa Torre" or "Leaning Tower of Pisa" and 45 minutes from Firenza (Florence). Jean and Summer are in the room getting ready for the day. It's 10:40AM September 2, 2007.

We left Germany yesterday (early) morning and drove through Switzerland (Alps) and into Italy. It was a gorgeous drive. The Alps and Tuscony are a visual that I will never forget! We hit a couple of snags along the way; the Autobahn was closed between Karlsruhe (Germany) and Baden Baden (Germany), that was a 20 - 30 minute detour. Then the big one was a Stau (traffic jam) in the tunnels of the Alps. That was another 1.5 hours. No big deal, like I said, it was a beautiful drive!

Today we plan to see the Torre and then train into Firenza. The girls have an opera to go to tonight - La Bohème - it was the inspiration for RENT. Lucky and I will hang out in Florence and maybe do another blog entry with photos from today.

Italy is gorgeous, the people are friendly and the language is awesome!! So passionate!!! BELLISIMA!! Wish you were here! (Click to enlarge the photos)


Driving through the Alps in Switzerland.


The view from our room at the Da Carlos.


Our waiter shot this at dinner last night. We had two bottles (one white and one red) of wonderful local wine. Seafood is the dish here for dinner. I had Sea Bass, Summer had the "fried plate" with squid, octupus, little fish and big fish and Jean had the clams and pasta. It was excellent!



Summer was curious about what she was eating.



The Sea Bass was outstanding!! I loved it!!


Salute! Jean drinking the local white wine (it was YUMMY!)


The (thinking) sexy beast himself sampling the local fruit of the vine.



Lucky enjoying the Lucca morning sun today at breakfast.

Marigny le Châtel, France

Saturday July 14, 2007 - Marigny le Châtel, France!
We took off Friday after work and ended up in Marigny le Châtel, France! Me, Jean, Summer, Denise and Lucky loaded the camera gear and piled in the car and took off for the weekend. It was one of the best (if not the best) trip I've had.
Marigny le Châtel is about 1 hour southeast of Paris. It's a small village in the country. The people are nice and the wine and food is yummy!


Katrina brings more wine as Thierry and Jean wait patiently for another glass.



I really like this image - Jean, Denise, Lucky and I were out walking before breakfast Saturday morning and I saw this reflector disc - I love to shoot picture in them - this one made it so painterly!


A wet plate (5x7) Ambrotype of Dr. Thierry Queinnec. He is a retired medical doctor that worked with amputees and handicapped people in his village for 25 years. He wanted to learn (and see) the wet plate process. We met him last month at the Paris Foto Show. He told us that the "tripod" of France is bread, wine and cheese. Look at the relection in his glasses in this image. I like that connection!


Denise and Thierry having coffee after lunch.

A cool French butcher sign I saw.


Having coffee after a seven course French meal - it was unbelievable!

Denise and Summer checking out a plum worm - it came from a fresh plum from the tree.

Jean says, "Prost" enjoying a couple of different French wines.

 

"The French Table" wife Katrina (left) and daughter Judy. Wet plate 5x7 Ambrotype.

Talking shop with Thierry - I can't speak French but I can say - Oui, Oui - Merci!

The gang having coffee Saturday morning with croissants! Magnifique!

Driving into the village.

The hotel we stayed at - we will be back again!!!

 

Experiencing Europe

We are thinking out loud here and planning our adventures. Here's what we've done so far:

2006
We explored Ladenberg, Heidelberg, Lorsch, Weinheim and Heppenheim, Germany.

2007
February 2007: Prague, Czech Republic
March 2007: Trier, Germany & Luxembourg
April 2007: Koeln, Germany & Masstritch, The Netherlands
June 2007: Paris, France & Koeln, Germany

Here's what we have planned for the rest of the year:

July 2007: Marigny le Châtel, France New York City (Quinn & Summer; Quinn graduates with his MFA!)
August 2007: Straussbourg, France
September 2007: Lucca, Italy (Tuscony), Florence, Pisa
October 2007: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
November 2007: Reus, Spain
December 2007:

2008

January 2008:
February 2008:
March 2008: Dublin, Ireland
April 2008: Berlin, Germany
May 2008: Glasgow, Scotland
June 2008: Barcelona, Spain
July 2008:
August 2008:
September 2008: Berlin, Germany
October 2008: Eindhoven, The Netherlands
November 2008:
December 2008:

We'll update this as we travel and plan.

The Paris Foto Fair

Greetings & Salutations,

We just returned from a weekend in Paris. We drove over Friday (about 4.5 hours) and attended one of the largest photo fair/exhibits in Europe. We met up with a friend from Belgium named Carl. He introduced us to several other (alt) artist/photographers from Paris, Brussels and The Netherlands.


Saturday night we had dinner at Martin Becka's house in Paris (7 minutes from the heart of the city). Becka is a famous French Calotypist (he makes large negatives on paper and then contact prints them c.~1840s). He and his wife, Sophie, were very kind and generous. There were eight of us at his house. Everyone ate, drank, talked and shared/showed work. We didn't leave until after midnight - a truly wonderful Parisian lifestyle that I could embrace very easily.

Below: Jean and I in Bievres, France - Sunday, June 3, 2007.


Sunday morning we all met for coffee at a cafe in Bievres (suburb of Paris). After espresso (eXpresso if you are from Utah), we wandered the photo show for a few hours. We met up for breakfast at 0900 (Champagne, bread and a rice dish). Wandered the show again for a few hours and then met for lunch. After lunch, we said goodbye.

It was a fantastic time. I feel very, very blessed to be having these experiences. Who would have ever thought that I would get invited to share photographs, eat good food, drink good wine and talk art in Paris with a bunch of well-known artists?? Not me! It reminds me of that scene in "Wayne's World" where Garth is always saying, "I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy," when in the company of Heather Locklear *grin* (no, I don't idolize them, but it is a treat to share work, drink and food with them.. remember; I'M FROM UTAH!)

Below: The photo fair/show was loaded with 19th C. gear. I know where to go when I need another wet plate camera, lens, et al.



 


Above: This is the European Alt Photo/Artist gang.

They come from all over Europe to attend this show. This is an annual thing for them and now we are a part of it! Next Saturday, we are on way to Brussels. I had a mobile darkroom built (fits in the trunk of the Passat) and need to pick it up. We'll meet up with Carl (to the left of me in the photo) and Luc Saturday for lunch. I'm looking forward to some of that Belgium beer *grinning*

Oh, one more thing, driving in Paris is a real challenge - if you've never done it, you should give it a go sometime. It gives new meaning to "driving".

Below: When you are in Paris you have to get a Nutella Crepe! It's Parisian law!! They were so good!!!