19 January 2009
On assignment for Courrier Japon in Bucharest on 1/20
I will be one of 100 photographers gathered worldwide tomorrow by Courrier Japon to shoot pictures around the theme of 'hope' on Barack Obama's inauguration day. My photos along with all the other work will appear in the February issue of the magazine as well as in a book. The list of photographers is impressive including some of my fellow Anzenberger friends and a few from Magnum, VII and VU as well as many other top shooters.
16 January 2009
Winter in Bucharest
This Balkan capital that I now call home was wrecked by Ceausescu. Today, it seems to be finally crawling out from under the dark spell cast on it by the dictator. Top of the range BMWs and Mercs line the streets, fashionistas finger iPhones and consumerism is taking root. But it is doubtful that it will regain its status of 'Little Paris' that it enjoyed before World War II. Communism forever changed the landscape of the place and the psyche of Romanians. Something new is being formed.
12 January 2009
A look at Ceausescu's Bucharest
The Romanian photographer Andrei Pandele has just come out with a book titled 'Surprise Witness' with pictures of Ceausescu's Bucharest. Just fascinating!
"Obviously, we were not allowed to denounce Communism and precious few people could even comprehend its bogus rules and regulations, much less subvert slavery and find a way to express themselves. Even snapping and charming, everyday photo posed a problem. Because we had simply lost our bearings. Needless to say, any 'political' photography was strictly forbidden, unless officially approved. But clandestine creativity was less easy to prevent. Thus appeared Andrei Pandele, someone who systematically and subversively photographed anything and everything, with the precision of a craftsman and the discipline of a Professional. A gritty realist, but above all an artist. His range is vast – this book is no mere collection of the macabre or ghoulish. Andrei Pandele is also intrigued by lives suspended precariously above the abyss, by time and space, by the poetry of everyday objects, by things words cannot convey". Petru Romosan.
"Obviously, we were not allowed to denounce Communism and precious few people could even comprehend its bogus rules and regulations, much less subvert slavery and find a way to express themselves. Even snapping and charming, everyday photo posed a problem. Because we had simply lost our bearings. Needless to say, any 'political' photography was strictly forbidden, unless officially approved. But clandestine creativity was less easy to prevent. Thus appeared Andrei Pandele, someone who systematically and subversively photographed anything and everything, with the precision of a craftsman and the discipline of a Professional. A gritty realist, but above all an artist. His range is vast – this book is no mere collection of the macabre or ghoulish. Andrei Pandele is also intrigued by lives suspended precariously above the abyss, by time and space, by the poetry of everyday objects, by things words cannot convey". Petru Romosan.
10 January 2009
Nomination for next year's Joop Swart Masterclass
I'll be one of the young photographers submitting portfolios to World Press Photo in an effort to win one of the 12 coveted spots at the masterclass.
08 January 2009
See it 07 January 2009
On assignment today for Bloomberg News in Bucharest
I am looking at the effects in Bucharest of Russia's cutting off of gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine.
03 January 2009
Happy New Year from Bucharest!
I spent New Year's Eve traipsing alone around Bucharest. Here's a shot along Boulevard Unirii leading up to the infamous Palace of Parliament, the second largest building in the world and part of Ceaucescu's megalomaniacal vision of the 1980s that leveled a sixth of Bucharest so it could be remodeled based upon the grandiose avenues of Kim II Sung's North Korea.
For the uninitiated, a nice little video from the streets of the city:
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