Thursday, September 10, 2015

Upcoming Show Next Month in Danbury Connecticut

Upcoming Shows at the Gallery at Still River Editions

New York Diptychs: I & II
Photographs by Robert Kalman
October 13 - December 18, 2015
Opening reception Saturday October 10, 2 pm - 4 pm

Danielle © Robert Kalman

"Danielle" © Robert Kalman

Artist's Statement
A portrait has as much to do with the relationship between the sitter and the photographer as it does with creating a representation of the person on a sheet of film. The relationship expands when you, the viewer, become present and join us. Portraits reveal, and this series holds on to a moment of shared intimacy between me and people I stop on the street. And now, you are included in this intimacy as you view what the two of us have created. Finally, the handwritten note along side the image: it is meant for you.

About the photographer
For over thirty years, Robert Kalman has been making formal, large format portraits of people he meets on the street. In addition to his large format portraiture, he has worked as a freelance editorial photographer for regional newspapers and magazines in the northeast. He has studied with photographic luminaries such as the late Arnold Newman, the late Mary Ellen Mark, Marie Cosindas, Judy Dater and Jeff Cowen. His work has taken him to Mexico, Israel, Paris, London, Rome, New York City, Lisbon, Madrid, Istanbul, Budapest and Panama.

Among Robert’s published work: a book on interracial couples, and one on the Kuna of Panama, as well as several volumes of portraits made on the streets of New York and cities across Europe. His latest book is devoted to Nicaraguan villagers photographed twenty years apart. Robert’s most recent work is a series of diptychs; formal street portraits shown along side descriptions that are handwritten by the sitter. These have been exhibited widely: In New York City at The Soho Photo Gallery and The Center for Photographic Art; in Poughkeepsie, NY at Barrett Art Center; in Portland, OR at Black Box Gallery; in Philadelphia at ONWARD CompĂ©; and in Fort Collins, CO at The Center for Fine Art Photography

Robert Kalman and his wife, Linda, live in the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York. 

Still River Editions

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Making New Friends Wherever We Go...

As the lesbian project continues, we are making new friends everywhere we go. Last Sunday we set up on the corner of St. Marks and Second Avenue in the East Village, and chased down Jax. She seemed to enjoy the experience of being photographed so much she wrote this Facebook entry:

I was walking down the street, minding my own business when this woman chases me down the block flailing her arms. Naturally I assumed she was another East Village Crazy but eventually I took out my New York Defense System, otherwise known as earbuds and listened to what she had to say. She enthusiastically says..."Excuse me, are you a lesbian?" I roll my eyes and snidely reply "what gave me away?" She goes on to explain that she is working with this photographer who is doing a series and wants to photograph me. I am suspicious but cautiously follow her to where this gentleman is eagerly waiting with a huge camera already set up. I was sweating bullets and all I could think was "Great, the one time I professional wants to photograph me and I'm wearing gym clothes. Perfect."
After he photographed me he asked me to write something down that "defines me". I was put on the spot and drained of all inspiration. After awkwardly taking ten minutes to come up with some pearls of wisdom, all I could think was..."Damn, no spell check. I hope I don't embarrass myself." Just when I was about to write "Bye Felicia" it finally came to me.

As luck would have it, another photographer, Kurt Wittman, was present and made this snap of all of us: Jax, me (the "gentleman") and Linda (the "East Village Crazy").

A jolly time was had by all!