Dumbo NYC

THE NEW YORK PHOTO FESTIVAL (NYPH)
Exhibitions open May 14 – 17, 10am – 7pm

The New York Photo Festival - the first international-level photo festival in the U.S. returns to Dumbo, Brooklyn. The ambition of NYPH is to document the future of photography in all its forms. This year’s festival features curators William A. Ewing, Chris Boot, Jody Quon, and Jon Levy, and for the first time ever, NYPH will feature the NYPH’09 Review Pavilion: portfolio reviews, staged presentations, masterclass workshops, and a peer lounge.

In addition to the curated pavilions, the festival will offer visitors an extensive range of activities that will generate dialogue and buzz among all the communities of photo professionals, amateurs, students, and aficionados of art and culture: seminars, slide shows, book signings, photographic workshops, live performances and events, and a gallery row. The festival will also be documented online in a regularly updated virtual environment.

Daniel Power, the founder and publisher publishing company powerHouse Books and Frank Evers, formerly the Managing Director of the VII Photo Agency, are the co-chair and co-founders of the New York Photo Festival.

See why Dumbo is known as the ‘Photo District’ by checking out the NYPF. For a full list of programming events, go to nyphotofestival.com

Previously:
{New York Photo Festival 2008 Kicks Off, 15May2008}
{New York Photo Festival To Draw Crowds From Around the World, 10Mar2008}
{Dumbo Becoming Next Photo District, 05Nov2007}

Halcyon the Shop has some fresh new touches of paint on the wall of the building by oliververnon.com. Below is a before pic of the wall art.

Halcyon
57 Pearl Street, Dumbo Brooklyn, NY 11201

Caption, Dumbo’s newest gallery that showcases art editorial photography, will open in DUMBO on May 14 during the New York Photo Festival. According to their press release, “The gallery is founded in the belief that outstanding photography deserves to live beyond its initial appearance in newspapers, magazines and other temporary venues. Dedicated to presenting the art of storytelling, Caption’s exhibits will include texts by the photographers themselves and by leading writers to convey the richness of contemporary narrative art.”

Tom Sternal and Jennifer Galvin are gallery co-directors. Jennifer Galvin is the Creative Director of Generation, a communications firm that works exclusively with not-for-profit and educational institutions. Tom Sternal is the President of Generation, and has worked with nearly 100 not-for-profit and cause-related institutions including American University in Cairo, Columbia University, Common Ground, the Delaware Art Museum, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. We interviewed Tom about the new gallery.

Q: Thank you for taking your time from your busy schedule. How did you and Jennifer decide to open Caption when Generation is already successful?

A: We knew it was kind of a ridiculous idea—especially in this economy—but it was also about trying to stay fresh. Thankfully our primary business has been spared the brunt of the recession, so we plunged ahead. For us, photography has always been an essential part of what we do. In our work with non-profits we are constantly asking ourselves how can we combine text and image to motivate people to care about things that they previously ignored. Even if the gallery is economically impractical, it feels like an important affirmation of our firm’s mission.

Q: How can photographers get noticed in this age of new media (Flickr, digital images, etc) and what catches your and Jennifer’s eyes when looking at photography portfolios?

A: For photographers, there’s so much competition out there, but there’s also an unprecedented opportunity for exposure. Look at the cult Icelandic photographer, Rebekka Guoleifsdottir. She’s ignored by the photo establishment but her Flickr portfolio has had millions upon millions of hits and she’s actually selling a lot of work. Many of the most important photographers of the last century would love to have that much exposure. The new media has allowed a very important populist movement to be borne. But at the same time, we have to be careful that we don’t apply a different, less rigorous criteria when we evaluate this work. When we’re looking at photographers, we want to see their point of view: Is it based on a thoughtful narrative and sound visual principles? Do they have the power to change people’s way of thinking?

Q: What brought you to Dumbo instead of Tribeca, Williamsburg, or other ‘arts’ centers in NYC? What do you like/dislike about Dumbo?

A: I’ve been living in Dumbo since 2004, and I am committed to this neighborhood. We were turned off by places like Tribeca and Williamsburg, or any place that felt like it had an attitude. We want to make the gallery experience friendly and accessible, eliminate any hint of pretension. People who’ve lived in Dumbo a long time, might not always like how the neighborhood is evolving, but we love the sense of possibility here. The story of this neighborhood is still being written, and we’d love to be part of it. Maybe we’ll even be able to use the gallery to help tell that story.

Photographer Corey Arnold will inaugurate Caption in Brooklyn’s DUMBO with an exhibition of photographs titled Fish-Work: Sea Stories. The show follows his successful debut at Chelsea’s Sara Tecchia Roma New York Gallery and will include selected photographs from that exhibition as well as previously unexhibited work. Fish-Work: Sea Stories will coincide with the opening of the New York Photo Festival ’09.

Caption will host a opening reception from 6:30-8:30 on Thursday, May 14, 2009.

Caption Press Release
Photographer Corey Arnold Exhibition Press Release

Caption
55 Washington Street, Suite 802, Brooklyn, New York 11201
718-504-7991

BKLYN DESIGNS, an annual contemporary design exhibition for consumers and members of the trade presented by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is being held starting today through the weekend in Dumbo Brooklyn. The show, in its 7th year in Dumbo, allows attendees to meet designers and industry leaders and to see new, affordable, eco-friendly products. The show’s main venue is at St. Anne’s Warehouse (38 Water Street), with exhibitions at Thermador, Bosch, Gaggeneau Showroom curated by Christopher Coleman, a children’s furniture show located at Jane’s Carousel, The DWELL Brooklyn Home Tour.

In an article published in yesterday’s NY Times on Brooklyn based designers, many Brooklyn design stores and businesses are flourishing (including many of Dumbo’s designers). BKLYN Designs supports these designers and provides emerging designers support and publicity for their new and cutting edge designs. For full schedule of events, go to bklyndesigns.com.

{Magasin Totale: New Designer Collective in Dumbo, 24Mar2009}
{BKLYN Designs 2008 Photo Recap, 13May2008}
{BKLYN Designs 2008 to Showcase Designers In Dumbo This Weekend, 08May2008}
{Dumbo-Based Furniture Craftsman Bruce Marsh Interview, 07Dec2007}
{BKLYN Designs 2007 Recap in Dumbo, 04May2007}

There are always gallery exhibitions, live music, screenings, events, festivals, and parties in Dumbo Brooklyn. Tonight is no exception and Dumbo will be busy with several major events. A few ones we posted about. We know there are others, and apologies to those we missed. (Please email us your events for future posts). Hope to see some of you at any of these events TONIGHT, Thu, May 7:

• Fourth Annual Brooklyn Blogfest in Dumbo, 7pm at powerHouse Arena, 37 Main Street
• 1st Thursdays DUMBO Gallery Walk, 7pm at various galleries in Dumbo
• BoConcept DUMBO ‘Brooklyn Scenes’ Art Show, 7pm at BoConcept, 79 Front Street
• Open Studios at 68 Jay Street, 6-10pm at 68 Jay Street
• Site Launch and Art Exhibition: Republic Brooklyn, 6-10pm at 20 Jay Street, 11th Floor
• Press Play Series at Smack Mellon, 7pm at Smack Mellon, 92 Plymouth Street
• BAC Gallery Film/Video Screening, 6:30-8pm at Brooklyn Arts Council, 55 Washington Street

Major upcoming events in Dumbo include:

BKLYN Designs May 8-10, NY Photo Festival May 13-17, Cynthia Hopkins returning to St Ann’s Warehouse for another show run starting May 22, PEN World Voices Festival of international literature all over Dumbo (Apr 30-May3), MediaStorm’s May 18th inaugural Dumbo public documentary screening at Galapagos, a workshop for artists at Dumbo Arts Center May 29-31, Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, a music camp carnival May 30-31.

Thursday MAY 7, 2009 - 6pm to 10pm
REPUBLIC WEB LAUNCH & Exhibition: Formations
republicbrooklyn.com

POCHRON STUDIOS, 20 Jay St. 11th Floor, Suite 1100, Brooklyn, NY 11201

FORMATIONS: New painting and Sculpture
REPUBLIC presents Formations: New Brooklyn Painting and Sculpture. If REPUBLIC is the meeting of varied minds that transcends the sum of its parts, the first stage in harnessing such a unique array of talents is to begin with a plan for construction. In conjunction with the launch of our new website republicbrooklyn.com, Formations presents the idea that during Spring, as the world itself is focused on building new things out of the remains of what has come to pass we might do well to pay special service to the artists who have concentrated their gifts on the very idea of construction and building something on the foundations of ideas that ripe for reinterpretation by a new eager generation. On May 7th 2009 at the Pochron Gallery in D.U.M.B.O., REPUBLIC brings you an exhibition that will stroke your joy for Spring and excite you with color and energy. Artists include William Rhodes, Lenny Reibstein, Joshua Johnson, Jazz-Minh Moore and Eunkang Koh.

The website goes live and the event begins at 6pm with drinks, T-shirts and posters available to benefit our May 29th collaborative fundraiser Reaching Out: Rwanda in conjunction with Create for a Cause. (createforacause.com)

For more information about the artists involved, Create for a Cause or REPUBLIC, please contact jason@republicbrooklyn.com or call 917. 478. 7513 or visit republicbrooklyn.com.

“OPEN STUDIOS is a chance to meet some of the artists, designers, craftspeople, photographers, filmmakers, architects, and other creative business owners who share the 68 Jay Street address in DUMBO, Brooklyn. We’ll be selling our art, fashion, and designs, promoting our services, and dishing up local food and entertainment. Over 40 artists and businesses are participating in this evening of art, culture, fashion and celebration.”

Enter the building at 147 Front Street or, for elevator access, at 68 Jay Street. Participants include:

• Aimee g
• Arza Design
• Marianne Barcelona
• Blank Slate Factory
• Blue Barn Pictures
• Charm NYC
• Cinderloop
• Mark Crosby
• Kirsten Deehan
• Delirium
• Thea Grant & Nicolas Bazzani
• Steven Harris
• Jonathan Herbert
• Highest Common Denominator Media Group
• Joan Huggard
• Independent Filmmakers Lab
• Journey
• JPDA Architects
• Dale Kaplan
• Stefan Killen Design
• Jan Larsen Art
• MESH Architectures
• Craig Anthony Miller
• naturevsfuture
• Lori Nelson
• Pinhole New York
• Michael Price
• Radka Design
• reBar
• Hagar Sadan
• SamoyLenko
• Aaron Scott Design
• Sencha Center
• Gigi Spratley
• SRF Design
• Star Electric Eighty Eight
• Version Industries
• Marjorie Victor Jewelry
• Debra Vilen
• Marry Wasserman
• Tron Warren
• Lauren Wimmer
• Joshua Wolfe

BoConcept Dumbo will launch the perfect marriage of minimalist design with modern art this May. Debuting at the First Thursday DUMBO Gallery Walk, six local artists including sculptors, photographers and painters will be invited to showcase their works as curated pieces within BoConcept’s retail space.

BoConcept DUMBO’s ‘Brooklyn Scenes’ Art Show event will start on First Thursday, May 7th and continue through June 7th, 2009. The opening reception will be held on TUESDAY MAY 12th, from 6-9PM.

Admission and refreshments are free and the event is open to the public. Please RSVP at rsvp@boconceptny.com.

**Percentage of proceeds are donated towards ‘Keep A Child Alive’ organization**

Thursday: A festive occasion each month for art lovers. A chance to visit many quality galleries at night in the Dumbo Historic District - galleries showing works from artists of many disciplines, especially photography, while hosting receptions, producing live music performances and curator/artist talks among other highlights.

Let’s not forget the incredible views you can enjoy as you walk from one gallery to the next and the local drink specials afterward. Most of the art is for sale. Printed maps and 1st Thursday cards are available on-site.

Participating galleries may vary each month. For more information contact Zannah Mass at zannah@twotrees-dumbo.com or 718-222-2500 x38.

Check gallery websites for updates.
5+5 Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 210
A.I.R. Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 228
Amos Eno Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 202
Aswoon Gallery, 14 Jay St.
Brooklyn Arts Council, 111 Front St., Suite 218
DUMBO Arts Center, 30 Washington St.
Farmani Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 212
Gloria Kennedy Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 222
Henry Gregg Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 226
Klompching Gallery, 111 Front St.
Kris Graves Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 224
Melville House, 145 Plymouth St.
No Name Gallery, 163 Plymouth St.
Pochron Studios, 20 Jay St.
Powerhouse Books & Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St.
Rabbithole Studio, 33 Washington St.
Robert Wilson/rw Work Ltd, 111 Front St.
Safe-T Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 214
Smack Mellon, 93 Plymouth St. @ Washington Street
Spring, 126a Front St.
Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St.
VII Photo, 28 Jay St.

Brooklyn Arts Council launches Scene: Brooklyn, Independent Film and Media Arts that celebrates the borough’s thriving film community, and features a seminar for filmmakers, a panel discussion, and screenings. Screenings will be at Galapagos Art Space on May 4-6, 2009.

Monday, May 4:

• 7 - 8:40pm: Framing Fiction: Featuring the work of Brooklyn’s most promising emerging narrative filmmakers, this series tells six short stories of love, friendship, and even a talking plant. From outstanding student films, to Sundance sensations, Brooklyn storytellers are bringing the unexpected to the screen.
• 9 - 10:30pm: Artists in Residence: Brooklyn’s visual art scene is more vibrant than ever before. In this program, animated and experimental works screen alongside intimate profiles of artists who live right next door.

Tuesday, May 5:

• 7 - 8:30PM: Brooklyn Current: Three documentary films explore some of the most important issues facing Brooklyn and its residents today. From gentrification to the subprime mortgage crisis, intimate accounts from those affected shed light on the stories that put our borough in the headlines.
• 9 - 10:30pm: Crossing Borders: Compelling stories of survival, goodwill, and community are captured by Brooklyn filmmakers shooting in India, South Africa, and at home.

Wednesday, May 6:

7 - 11pm: Living the Independent Dream Brooklyn Filmmakers Panel: This panel features some of the borough’s most successful filmmakers, including Half Nelson’s Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, whose long-awaited new film Sugar premiered at Sundance recently, Oscar nominated director Tia Lessin, Cruz Angeles (Don’t Let me Down), and Rahmin Bahrani (Man Push Cart, Goodbye Solo). The panel is moderated by Mark Rosenberg, founder and director of Brooklyn’s own Rooftop Films. Scene: Brooklyn award-winners will be announced, with prizes including a cash award, Final Draft scriptwriting software, and travel on JetBlue Airways. Wrapping it all up will be a reception sponsored by Rice Restaurant to honor participating filmmakers. The screenings and panel are $5 at the door. RSVP required for the seminar and panel at brooklynartscouncil.org

For schedule of events, go to brooklynartscouncil.org/documents/1163.