When award winning Irish director Niall McKay approached me to work as his Director of Photography on a spot for the annual San Francisco Irish Film Festival I listened carefully as he laid out the idea. Think Ireland maybe 40 years ago. The Pope and JFK. A man of the cloth in bed. With a woman. A dog hanging out. Delicatessen type mood. I couldn’t refuse.
We shot at a location outside San Francisco, an old hotel which is rumored was an old brothel back in 1880’s. Bats nested in the awnings and the mirrors were an oxidized black. I couldn’t get Pyscho out of my head. You could film the perfect horror there or if you were otherwise inclined, get married there. Almost similar, depending who you talk to. Or if you’re like us you could film something a little naughty.
Definitely a fun creative project to work on with a great director who I hope to work with again in the future. My thanks to everyone involved.
‘Economica, Women and the Global Economy’ is a project run by the San Francisco based International Museum of Women(IMOW). The Picturing Power and Potential exhibition is the latest special project of Economica celebrating women as economic participants and agents of change. IMOV has teamed up with the San Francisco Arts Commission gallery to present an exhibition of work from 20 international artists that were chosen from 150 around the world. Jurors included Catherine King (IMOW), Jasmina Bojic (United Nations Association Film Festival), Linda Connor (Artist/Curator/Educator) and Meg Shiffler (SFAC Gallery). The exhibition opens on June 15th at San Francisco City Hall and will coincide with an online presentation of the work in the extensive ongoing Economica exhibit at the IMOV website. Out of 8 portraits of women from North Richmond that I selected from my Richmond v Chevron project 5 were chosen. I am honored to present these incredible people in this way.
So if you’re in San Francisco come along to the opening of what has been described by SFAC gallery director Meg Shiffler as ‘one of the most diverse and stunning photo exhibitions ever created for City Hall’. It opens June 15th with a reception from 5.30 till 7.30 on the ground floor of City Hall and runs until August 27th 2010. City Hall is located at 1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Place in the Civic Center of downtown San Francisco. You can take the BART or MUNI directly to Civic Center or buses # 47, 49, 31, 21, and 5 all run close. Biking also encouraged.
The International Museum of Women will launch the online exhibition on June 15th also to coincide with the physical exhibition at City Hall. You’ll be able to follow it here.
Sigur Ros from Iceland have had as much influence on me as looking at a Gursky or a Bresson photograph. I have long said if you took away all my music and left me with one album i wouldn’t hesitate in my choice. Their first album Agaetis Byrjun had an affect on me that was unparalleled by anything I had heard before. With Sigur Ros’s music and the falsetto voice of lead singer Jon Por Birgisson I can be transported somewhere else. Usually to the top of a mountain or some space in my head where I think this must be what heaven sounds like.
I caught wind of the fact that Birgission known as Jonsi was on a solo tour with his new album ‘Go’ and a show that promised spectacular projections and design. So I thought I’d rekindle the old days of when I was a young whipper snapper rock band photographer and get down there and make some pictures of an artist that has brightened my life for a long time. The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco was the venue. About 1000 people capacity. The musicians played in what seems like a style only Icelandic or those who submerge themselves in the place can play. Animals and nature moved around the stage chasing each other in vibrant colourful projections. Everything was perfect. The roof was raised, the audience was enraptured. It was April 16th and about 4000 miles away in Jonsi’s homeland all eyes were skyward and the volcano reminded the world who was in control.
Here’s a slideshow of a selection of photos from the night. You can select a full screen option in the bottom right corner to view.
They’re also available for sale from my Photoshelter site.
One of the most beautiful nights of my life, last evenings sunset on Ocean beach. http://yfrog.com/n3vqtbjSeptember 2, 2010 7:14
@tomcrabtree ah thanks T. Not banking on anything, just better to be in than not.September 1, 2010 5:40
Scrambling last second to get my entry into the Magnum Expression award before shut down in a few hours..http://expression.magnumphotos.com/September 1, 2010 1:18
