fuchsworld

Re-Launch of the "Bushwick Forever" Book campaign

2011-12-20T15:42:00.000-08:00

http://www.indiegogo.com/Bushwick-Forever?a=336454

“Bushwick is a place where most of the relationships that start there don’t last more than 2 months.”
True Or False?
I've been exploring this statement and will show some results in my upcoming book, if u'll help me getting it off the ground.
Please, visit : http://www.indiegogo.com/Bushwick-Forever?a=336454
and make a contribution if u can, and/or tell us if it's so.

Sailor Jerry_Above the scene_by Rafael Fuchs

2011-12-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

Sailor Jerry_a flash back from this Summer, my short clip of "Above the scene" of the video shoot for Sailor Jerry "Hold Fast" ad campaign in Bushwick.

My books_Free preview

2011-11-21T14:09:00.000-08:00

Just added a link to some of my books on the top row of my home page.
Check them out.
There's a free preview for each book !!!:) http://www.blurb.com/user/store/rafaelfuchs

the video i created for the book project "Bushwick Forever"

2011-10-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a free two hours talk on Monday 8.8.11 , 11am-1 pm

2011-08-05T21:38:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a free two hours talk on Monday 11am-1 pm. at the event space at B&H
I'll show also some pictures that the regular folks that are working there are not allowed to see:
See details: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/eventDetails.jsp/id/1035

Bushwick Forever_16 images as rewards for Kickstarter

2011-07-30T16:51:00.000-07:00

An article about new works of mine in a show_about a woman I met who died of over-doze :(

2011-06-30T13:31:00.000-07:00

Read the story:

http://www.curbsandstoops.com/rafael-fuchs/

Fuchs_at Purephoto. Amazing Summer prints sale.

2011-06-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

http://rafaelfuchs.purephoto.com/#/forsale
Fuchs_at Purephoto.
Amazing Summer prints sale.
Prada has Miu Miu and Armani has Armani Exchange. (more accessible lines.)
So does Fuchs ! Now.
During this Summer you can choose from about 100 different Fuchs images 16x20" prints (one size fits all :)
Except for a few that are 16x24", and put them on your wall or add them to your collection for only $200 per print !:)
They come with a certificate of authenticity.
See: http://rafaelfuchs.purephoto.com/#/forsale

Bushwick Open Studios. The weekend of June 3d-5th, 2011

2011-06-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

Photographed at the Swallow cafe on 49 Bogart St.
It's nice to see that people can concentrate and work with my photograph framed and displayed next to them.
There is an interesting connection between the subject and the object.

So, I'm in 5 different shows in this Bushwick Open Studios 2011 weekend (June 2nd-5th.)

The "main" event: About 30 prints (different sizes) from my Bushwick project at Swallow cafe (just below my studio on 49 Bogart St. )
I've had the prints for awhile there, but now, for the duration of the 3 days event, they are for sale for a really affordable special prices.
I also have new works in mixed media (silk screens with white contours of two nudes with crayon and acrilic) at
curbs&stoops as a part of the Bushwick Daily blog exhibition. Hey, I'm expanding. Also available for sale.
Plus, I'm one of the "special guests" at Palmetto AIR with a video show that deal with environmental issues.
See 3 of the 5 options in this link :
http://artsinbushwick.org/bos2011/directory/?q=rafael+fuchs&day=&media=&pg=1&perpage=10&pg=1&perpage=10

"Proof" photography benefit auction

2011-04-12T23:11:00.001-07:00

I qwa 
"Proof" photography benefit auction, NYC_4.11.2011 from rafael fuchs on Vimeo.

I was honored to be amongst really great talented photographers that contributed to this auction, and was very please that my print was bought for such a great cause.
"Proof" is an organization that is raising the public consciousness of mass violence.

Jewelery catalog for Carolina Gradim

2011-04-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

Just finished a two-days photo shoot and editing for Carolina Gradim, who imports amazing necklaces from Bahia, Brazil to NY and other places around the globe.
These are just 2 of the 13 items we shoot for the website that will up within a month.

"I wanna B famous" new video with Denise Richards, Johnny Weir,fuchs,Indashio,Ciara,Sasha,Omayra,

2011-04-02T20:03:00.000-07:00

"I wanna B famous" is a part of the "critically acclaimed" pseudo-self-satirical cinema-verite style observations of the photographer Rafael Fuchs that comments on fame, fashion and our relentless attempts to get recognition and high status in our society.
While given the "carte blanche" to document the fall/winter 2011 "Gaudy" fashion show of the designer Indashio, on 2.16.11 , as well as the after-party,Rafael is challenging, in whimsical ways, the viewers, the PR personnel and himself with the quest for fame.
This fashion show included the three-time US National Champion figure skater Johnny Weir on the cat walk, and a number of celebrities on the front row, including Denise Richards.

Naco Paris_the fashion designer who dared_new mini-portolio added to my site

2011-03-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

I just added to my "new" section of my site 11 Publicity shots that I took last month for Naco Paris, "the designer who doesn't like fashion" at the Chelsea hotel in NYC and in Bushwick,Bklyn.
He's the one who created the "Karl Who ?" sensational bag in 2009, that was embraced by Karl Lagerfeld at the end of that saga.

http://www.purseblog.com/totes/karl-lagerfeld-karl-who-bag.html

Have you ever been the underdog ? (Flashback to Nov. 2009)

2011-03-22T07:23:00.000-07:00

"Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio_excerpts from the book "I am Amerikan" from rafael fuchs on Vimeo.

A multi-media presentation, from Nov. 2009, with some of the images from the limited edition book "I Am Amerikan" that I self- published about a year and a half ago.
It was featured in a few magazines, including http://www.visuramagazine.com/vm/rafael-fuchs
What can I say ? There are some weird, bizarre and hillarious, at times, scenes that are occuring in front of my camera, including injutice. Shall I keep those images in my drawers?

A few more copies are available at: http://www.blurb.com/books/2135687

"Postcards" from Bushwick. The video.

2011-03-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

"Postcards" from Bushwick by Rafael Fuchs from rafael fuchs on Vimeo.

This is a multi-media presentation I created as a homage to my neighborhood, Bushwick.
It has over 150 images, and the music is "Glitches" by The Roots, featuring Amel Larrieux. I'm going to create a few more presentation like that, with different images and different music.

Multi-media homage to Bushwick

2011-02-25T04:58:00.000-08:00

U got 2come this Saturday (2.26.11) to the Slideluck Bushwick event at 3d. ward (7-10 pm)and watch my multi-media love homage to my neighborhood. (and many other artists are participating.)http://newyork.timeout.com/things-to-do/this-week-in-new-york/956671/sideluck-bushwick
It wasn't easy to decide which images will make it to the 4 minutes presentation length restriction, but I managed to include over 150 images. The audio that "frames" this presentation is "Glitches" by the Roots.

Photo installation at Swallow cafe

2011-02-19T14:36:00.000-08:00

Just mounted a bunch of photos at Swallow cafe (formerly The Archive), downstairs from my studio.
Unique frames...limited editions...
I will have an official announcement and an opening in a week or two...

Hanging out with Andy at the NY Times.

2010-12-20T22:25:00.001-08:00

As I walked into Andy Rosenthal's office (editorial page editor) at the NY Times building on 8th. Ave, about a month ago, he was watching the historic debate (on CNN) over the repeal of "don't ask don't tell" (DADT) policy in the US military. The law effectively prohibits known gay men and lesbians from enlisting in the military by forcing them to pretend to be heterosexual as a condition of service.
He doesn't like this law. He knows so much, "has no lack of opinions", as it says in the story, and can keep you on your toes for hours, but we had less than an hour for the photo shoot. Still, we talked about a lot of subjects...
Regardless the topic above, Here's the link to the story that the magazine I was assigned by (NJ Monthly) is running in its January issue:
http://njmonthly.com/articles/lifestyle/people/balancing-act.html

Rafi plays and sings the blues

2010-12-14T04:07:00.000-08:00

At The Rabbit Hole gallery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7GzGBL2bK0

Getting raunchy at the "Art From The Heart" event

2010-12-12T19:45:00.000-08:00

Getting raunchy at the "Art From The Heart" event of The Vanderbilt Republic this coming Thursday (Dec. 16th.)
This is the print you can snag there, and many more on display by other photographers.
(for a nominal fee of $100 to enter the party)

""Holidays photos" at the Rabbit Hole gallery's art fair in Dumbo

2010-12-10T07:44:00.000-08:00

"Holidays photos"_These are some of my images that are going to be on sale at the Holiday arts and design fair at Rabbit Hole gallery in Dumbo ( 33 Washington St.) over the next two weekends. (produced by Merav and Adi.)
Limited editions...size: 9x12"... very affordable Holiday prices...really.
http://rabbitholeartfair.wordpress.com/

Promoting my upcoming show "It Will Never Be The Same" (2011) while being at Art Miami Basel.

2010-12-01T23:55:00.000-08:00

My latest cover ...for "Jewish" Woman" magazine_right time for Chanukah !:)

2010-11-29T15:44:00.000-08:00

Congratulations for Karen Robinovitz, the fashion maverick, for her cover in "Jewish Woman" magazine ! This was our second shoot. We met, first, on a shoot for a smaller publication. You never know...sometimes "small" shoots can take you far !:)

video grabs from the "Home-Land" show

2010-11-17T22:07:00.000-08:00

A few grabs from videos I was taking at the show "Home-Land"that I participated in.

"Home-Land"_a group show of Middle Eastern artists_Sunday Nov. 14th.

2010-11-07T07:50:00.000-08:00

"Home-Land" art show. Sunday Nov. 14th. 2010
I was very excited and honored to be a part of this show of 14 Middle-Eastern artists that was a part of the BETA arts project in Bushwick, Bklyn.
From what I heard, this was, by far, one of the most impressive shows of the whole art festival, and as I heard from a viewer "the most visceral."
After all, it's about the Middle East !:)
Between one artist' nude performance for the whole duration of the show; Joseph Shahadi's (Lebanon affiliation) lam hearts and testicles displayed on the table with needles stuck in some, Makram Hamdan's (Lebanon) live chicken installation with worms, and (..Hmmmm...xcuse me) my semi- nude photographs of Israeli female soldiers, plus the work of the many other talented artists...it was an intriguing (and familiar in a peculiar way) event.

See images from the show at the parties/events section of this site: http://www.bushwickyearbook.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=32

WHAT THE FUCHS_The movie

2010-06-09T01:02:00.000-07:00

A 10 minutes movie directed by Augustin Doublet about...Me :)
I met Augustin while working on the "Bushwick Year Book" last December, and he expressed his interest in getting to know my work and my motives better...and document it.
So, Voila ! After (quite) a few sessions, here's his short version.

The movie follows me in Bushwick, Brooklyn and Manhattan, and shows where I find some of my subjects as well as what goes behind the scenes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWxqj5qRxCY

OPEN STUDIO_RUDE NUDES JUNE 5-6th. 2-7 pm

2010-06-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

As a part of the annually Bushwick Open Studios event this coming weekend (Saturday June 5th and Sunday June 6th. 2pm -7 pm)
I am showing in my projects studio " RUDE NUDES"_work in progress
It's at 49 Bogart St. #35 Brooklyn, NY 11206 (right by the Morgan stop of the L train)
More than 50 new archival prints of female nudes will be presented .
The prints selection (edit) is work in progress.
Selected prints (of limited editions) will be available for purchase at a reduced price during the open studio event.
Also, a few new self-published books will be presented at the open studio event, including the much anticipated "raw one" that was printed in Holland.
Admission is $10, and the visitor will be awarded with a special limited edition 4x6" print.
50% of the proceeds will go to the national breast cancer organization.
See some of the images here: http://bos2010.artsinbushwick.org/directory/?listing=1579
There will be 300 other studios opened in the area this weekend, so it's a good time to explore the art and the neighborhood :)

A "virtual" tour at the exhibition Fuchs_Now at Eastern District gallery Dec. 2009

2010-01-13T14:54:00.000-08:00

"Fuchs_Now" show is my personal survey of my latest work. I was presenting my own prints from a few of my latest projects, including "The Bushwick Yearbook", "I Am Amerikan", "Transgenders In Kansas City", "Nudes" and more, as well as some of my recent self-published limited-edition books and videos.

Bushwick Yearbook Sessions

2009-12-17T20:26:00.000-08:00

Fuchs_Now photo exhibition till Dec. 27th.

2009-12-17T20:22:00.000-08:00

"Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio_Excerpts from the book "I Am Amerikan"

2009-11-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

"Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio_excerpts from the book "I am Amerikan" from rafael fuchs on Vimeo.

This is a slide presentation of about 50 of the images from my (self) published book "I Am Amerikan" that I put together, accompanied by Coolios's song "Gangsta' Paradise".

Tiwimuta book is out with the imge I took embossed on the cover.

2009-06-23T04:37:00.000-07:00

See what NY Times says at "The Moment" blog: http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/tiwimuta/

Fuchs_Open Studio event June 6-7th. 2009

2009-06-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Fuchs_Open Studio event June 6-7th. 2009 and other events downstairs and on Bogart and McKibbin streets.

Dancer In The rain_May 2009

2009-05-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Robert Frank with my book "I Am Amerikan"

2009-05-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I had a huge epiphany when (the) Robert Frank took his time and was going over my new (self) published book "I Am Amerikan" (title pending) that I just released.
I've known Robert for many years, and he is , by far, my top hero when it comes to photography. He is also a very generous man, since he took his time to look at my book, and gave me some comments.
From a few questions and suggestions that he had, and from the length of time he was spending on each picture I gather that out of about 100 images in my book, there are about 15 that I should keep. That's a good start :)
I do need an editor though !
I am in a process of re-editing the book, but this special (second) edition of 300 books (almost all sold out) will be always unique.

Jammin' of the drunk

2009-04-12T22:14:00.000-07:00

L train_Union Square station_Easter night
I am going to examine this guy's movements very closely in order to add it to my dancin' repertoire, especially the scarf moves and brushing of the bald head.
I couldn't resist Jammin' with him as a homage to a true New York moment :)

2009-03-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

In between helping me design my upcoming books, Daria likes to read stories , and I love listening to them, nevertheless that I don't always understand what's going on.
This one was "The Life And Adventures Of Shed Number XII" by Victor Pelevin.
Russia, Victor Pelevin,shed,fuchs,Daria,Julie Sylvester

Raw book

2009-03-10T22:25:00.000-07:00

First time look (by Julexa) at "Raw" book, Daria's version.
I handed Julexa the RAW book (right after we had a great photo session for her upcoming album) and asked her if she would trust me as a photographer had I shown her that book prior to our session. She was looking while Boofbaxter was drumming, and then she said: "That's an ugly piece of grill."

Surprising "interview" in my loft by a Russian reporter and a French camera woman.

2009-02-23T22:24:00.000-08:00

This is a surprise interview that was conducted in my photo loft in Bushwick, Brooklyn by a Russian reporter and a French camera person.
Surprisingly, the microphone was re-placed by a cling wrap box. Interestingly, the image that was singled out in the beginning of the survey was a portrait of Colin Powell I did for Life magazine a while ago.
Some parts of the interview were clipped out from this presentation :)

My doctor is a photo enthusiastic as well

2009-02-14T12:37:00.000-08:00

Since I got a new Health Insurance plan, I assigned myself a new Physician, and when I went for a checkup yesterday I found out that he is a photo enthusiastic.
Makes it really interesting to wait in the room for him :)
Check out the short video (the b&w with the yellow highlights effect is just something that I tried with my new Canon 10D).

Jazz on the L train Station

2009-02-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

Check out this band that was entertaining me and the other passengers last night in the Union Square Station. The Stumble Bum Brass Band .

The Lomography Gallery store opening _NYC Jan 26th. 09_

2009-01-27T18:59:00.000-08:00

Who said that analog photography is not fun :)
Check out my last night's "on the town"...

Eruption 1_Photos from the archive

2009-01-14T14:39:00.000-08:00

Alison Brady's opening at Massimo Audiello in Chelsea NYC

2009-01-14T14:06:00.001-08:00

This is a short video of the opening of Alison Brady's show at Massimo Audiello gallery in Chelsea NYC. January 8th. 2009
Alison Brady is an amazing talented photographer, and she was assisting me on some photo shoots when she was living in the building where my studio is, in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Sad story_Tulah and my Mom

2009-01-06T00:43:00.000-08:00

So, here I'm adding , yet, another sappy story.
Images I took of Tulah in the apartment on Trumpeldor St. (Tel Aviv) ,where I grew up.
I took those photos in 2007, when I was there to empty the apartment after my Mom passed away. I asked Tulah to sit in a similar pose (in the kitchen) to the one that my Mom was in when I took her photos while she was bleaching her hair two years prior to that.
The unique furniture in the living room had to go, since I rented the apartment to other people that didn't care for it.

North of Israel_photos_hope for peace in The Middle East

2008-12-31T15:47:00.000-08:00

Hi,
It is very sad that the violence erupted again between the Israelies and the Hamas in the Gaza Strip area. (I thought that there is a significant difference between the "Hezballah" and the "Hamas".)
Let's hope for peace in the next year, 2009 !!! Please !
Here are some photos from one of the trips I did to Israel with Tulah. This one was in the Summer of 2007. (It's in a slideshow form...with some music I used to listen to as a kid, growing up in Tel Aviv).
We were a few days in Tel Aviv, but then we headed North for 3 days: The Galilee, Kefar Nahum (The church), The Galilee lake, Safed (The center of the Kabbalah), Rosh Pina (used to be a "Hippie"...I mean"Spiritual" town back then, in my student days) , and more.
Enjoy !

5 years ago_Happy Holidays !

2008-12-23T16:06:00.000-08:00

Hey,
I "stumbled" upon these pictures of myself in the old loft in Williamsburg (2003) where I had all these archival big prints on the walls (today they are "artist's proofs,,,usually edition of 7. The ones I took from the walls before I moved out would be the affordable prints).
Hey, hopefully it won't take me so long to show you what I have on my walls now, in my newer loft ( most of the new prints are framed now).
HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!!!!!!

Fuchs' work in Miami during the Art Basel Miami 08 event

2008-12-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

Behind the scenes at the "Generation T: Beyond Fashion" photo shoot

2008-11-28T08:01:00.000-08:00

This is the behind the scenes video of the photo shoot I did in mid November.
It was 4 days of fun in DUMBO, Bklyn, Melody Lanes Bowling Alley, and Chinatown in Manhattan, as well as in the studio. There are many location shots that I did with the models, and I'll be able to post those in February 2009

Mid-West trip

2008-11-04T20:22:00.001-08:00

Still on my Mid-West photo trip.
Staying overnight in St. Louis, Missouri, enchanted by the view of the Gateway Arch...just a block away...celebrating the amazing night of history change with many other millions.
Here are just 3 images out of so many from my current trip.
Heading a bit more West tomorrow, to Kansas City.

Street pole dance_Cheerleaders and anti Palin dance

2008-11-01T20:39:00.000-07:00

Last week I spotted a bunch of dancing acts around the city, and I wanted to share with you 3 of them:
One was a pole dance act on a small stage rigged to bicycle, and it happened on the corner of Bleecker and Lafayette. I was told that it has something to do with an upcoming TV show titled "Last Night" (?)
The other act that occurred at Deitch Projects on Grand St. was of of cheerleaders who were helping promoting the book of Danielle Levitt titled " We Are Experienced",
And the third one was an anti Sarah Palin dance performed in the Union Square Subway stop.
All very inspiring !

Beyond My Remote Control_photo sessions

2008-10-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

I finished today a second photo session with the actors of the amazing play "This Is Beyond My Remote Control", written by Megan Bienstock.
In some images I embraced the light of the production, and in some I used my own strobes that I brought with me (as in the image here).

Thursday photo night_Elkins_Isom_PDN

2008-10-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

Last night was a big photo night.
Here is a short video of three of the highlights:
Amy Elkins at her opening titled "Wallflower" at the project gallery at Yancey Richardson in Chelsea, The shuttle bus that was arranged by Monte Isom to take guests to his party, and the PDN self-promo awards party, where I was delighted to see my poster "fuchs" displayed.

Andrew Hetherington

2008-10-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

I don't know how Andrew Hetherington is doing it !
It take me hours to do what, seemingly, taking him a few minutes ...(I'm talking about blogging here, not the other stuff.... please.)
He knows about everything that is going on in the photo universe.
On top of being an active photographer, he keeps such a fu@&*ng (Did I spell it right?)current and cool blog www.whatsthejackanory.com
He is a true inspirator (it's a word he's using a lot)
He told me about the party I attended today for blurb.com which is a great place to self publish a book !!!
I am going to publish a few books there!
This is Andrew(on the right, with the beard), with Benjamin Lowy , who just sent NY magazine (the fashion issue) over 800 images he took (for the magazine) of behind the scenes at the fashion shows.

In the picture above you'll see (next to Andrew) Michael Costuros, the developer (and his better half,Kim Iglinsky) behind livebooks.com , the company that
enables you to create your own customized website (both Andrew's and my own website are through livebooks, as well as (allow me to drop another name here) Richard Avedon's website.

One of the books that I liked at the event (published via blurb.com was titled Citizen" (see photo), by Ingvar Kenne who devides his time between NY and Sydney, Australia.

In the picture above you can see Ingvar (actually, his ear and beard) next to the photo agent Kristina Snyder.

Generation T

2008-10-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of me from yesterday, (pretending) to put final touches in the hair of Megan Nicolay,
before the cover shoot of her upcoming second book.
She is the (brilliant) author of the successful book "Generation T; 108 ways to transform a T-shirt" .
Her new book will have much more surprises...Stay tune !

Advice: Ask your parents to pay your rent

2008-10-21T17:17:00.000-07:00

My advice today to my studio manager, on the way to the photoshoot.

The Raconteurs

2008-10-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

I was very pleased last Thursday to find out that the band that was playing at the corporate party I stumbled upon was "The Raconteurs"
See a tiny clip from that event, of the band performing the song: "Steady, As She Goes."
Jack White, the lead singer is also in the band "The White Stripes"

Florida, it's up to you now

2008-10-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

©photo by Rafael Fuchs
Check out this installation I did in Florida a while ago...but, somehow, it seems relevant.

Mom

2008-10-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

Yom kippur brings memories.
Shana Tova to all !!!

Women In Photography

2008-09-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

This post was due a couple of weeks ago.
I attended (on September 30th.) the Aperture panel discussion with 4 brilliant women photographers.
The two co-founders Cara Philips and Amy Elkins, alongside noted contributing photographers Robin Schwartz and Elinor Carucci.
It was moderated by Laurel Ptak, Aperture’s Educational Programs Manager.
It was remarkable.
See a short clip.
Amy Elkins is having a show that opens next week on Thursday 10/23d. at yancey richardson gallery
Should be great !!!

Beauty_Claudia Gestro for Samsung

2008-09-29T20:37:00.000-07:00

One of the images we were working on at the studio (from a shoot for Samsung) of Claudia Gestro captured here in between sets...I like those grey people at the background.

Sleeping Beauty_Mary Costa

2008-09-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Tulah, was invited today by her friend Nora, to go to the party for the new and improved "Sleeping Beauty" movie premiere in the East Coast (It's the 50th. Anniversary) at the Plaza, so I tagged along.
Fancy party !
Here are pictures of me and of my daughter with Mary Costa(born April 5, 1930 in Knoxville, Tennessee),who was playing the voice of Princess Aurora in the 1959 Disney film Sleeping Beauty.

As well as a snippet video of the event.

I shoot magicians_Joshua Jay

2008-09-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

I love magicians.
I shot (ok....did portraits) of a few amazing ones throughout the past years, including
David Blaine...a few times ! incredible experience !
btw, check out the spoof. It's funny as hell !
This Summer I had the honor to shoot a young hot new trickster (26 years of age)for the cover of an upcoming book published by workman publishing: Joshua Jay. MAGIC
See here the cover as well as some shots of shooting cards.
One of the tricks that (I would like to master) Josh was demonstrating to me was converting $1 bills to $100 bills !!!

Best Albino_Victor Varnado

2008-09-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

Victor Varnado is one of the best comedians in the country.
He is a black albino, or "best albino", as his website states.
One of his quotes is: "Yes, I am a black albino, ladies ! You know what I'm talking about....All the benefits of being black , without the disappointing looks of your parents"
We met in 2007 when I took nude portraits of him for the cover of The Village Voice.
You can see it also on my website, at the chapter "rare", in the comissioned work group.

I went last week to a live taping of a comedy show that he a put together as a part of his upcoming feature movie "The Awkwards Kings Of Comedy".It was hillarious !!!

See a couple of pictures above of him (and fans) at the after party , singing to a live kareoke band.

Holy War_David LaChapelle

2008-09-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

For those who missed the "Holy War" opening of David LaChapelle at Toni Shafrazi's gallery in Chelsea on Sept. 12th., NY, here is a short clip I shot of some of the work, as well as some of the beautiful people who attended.
I was, positively, surprised by the three dimentional presentation , although I would love to see the layers not on a card board, but on something more substentional (white plexi (?).
I wouldn't pay the 104,000 Eur per one installation (edition of 7) of the "Holy War" considering the current presentation.
Maybe 47,000 Eur tops !

Mario Batali at Michael Thompson opening

2008-09-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

When Mario Batali shows up at an event that you are attending, your own celebrity status escalates two notches. 'cause you're also there !
I had a chance to catch up with him (I shot his portraits several times in the past, for different magazines)at the Michael Thompson photo opening on Sept. 11th. at the Hasted -Hunt gallery in Chelsea, NY. I am a big fan of Michael's work (he used to assist Irvin Penn), but I wish they would show also images from a story he did for W magazine a few years ago, with the theme of "2001 A Space Odyssey".These images would show his versatility as a prominent artist.

Quiet Color_great music and culture blog

2008-09-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

Among the people that were waiting outside the galleries on 21st. St. that were shut off in Chelsea, NYC last Thursday due to an electrical emergencie, we spotted the lovely Daniella of the fresh music and culture blog "Quiet Color". See here
She also couldn't attend the "Shit" show, since the gallery Yvon Lambert was evacuated.
Will she (and many other art lovers) visit Andre's show in the future?
We'll have to find out.

What happend to Serrano's "Shit Show" opening?

2008-09-06T05:59:00.000-07:00

A lot of folks were looking forward to be "entertained" at the opening of Andres Serrano's "Shit" photo exhibition on September 4th. at Yvon Lambert gallery in Chelsea nyc.See here.
The artist got his notoriety in 1989, when the Senators Al D'Amato and Jesse Helms protested fiercly against his photograph "Piss Christ", that depicted a small plastic crucifix submerged in a glass of the artist's urine.
Almost 20 years later, the artist is picking #1 as the subject of his colorful large-scale photographs.
It's his feces , as well as other animals, and very often he sees "faces in it".
The opening event was shut off shortly after it started, due to an electric fire that occured a couple of doors away, and the order of the city to shut off the electricity in a few buildings that are connected to the fire location.
Bummer ! I was loking forward to see the photo titled "Bullshit".

Outakes images from the trip to Barcelona and Costa Brava

2008-08-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

So,the trip was AMAZING !!!!
Gaudi,Picasso,Dali, the beaches,Barrio Gotico,Cadaques,Monserrat,Figueres,the food,the people...
Who'd have thunk that travel photography is so much fun !
(Sometimes you have to wake up while it's still dark...but it definitely worth it, to rub shoulders with the Sun, as she rises).
It was 3 days shoot for a travel magazine , and some extra days in between.
Here are some outakes from the trip. You can see also a couple of photographs that I took of my daughter, who got inspired (as well as myself) after the visit at the Picasso Museum, and wanted me to photograph her with the sun screen on her face, so she could draw her portrait afterwards, in a cubist way (maybe).
You can even spot me walking on the beach (shot by her), blending with the buildings of Cadaques ("The most beautiful town", as Dali said in the 70's, while he was partying with The Rolling Stones, and others.)
The blue tiles of the "corridor of light", situated in the center of Gaudi's house, Casa Battlo, (what an amazing way to have all the rooms filled with natural light) are so beautiful.What a genius he was ! And the roof !!! Almost out of body experience.

Off to Barcelona

2008-08-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

Hi,
I'm off to Barcelona (August 9-20th.) for a photo gig for a travel magazine, and art explorations as well.

Art Basel Miami_last year

2008-08-09T05:32:00.000-07:00

I know, it's almost one year later, but here I post a small compilation of art attractions that caught my eye last November (and therefore were caught by my lens). You can see also part of my participation in the "hoopla"

I am running for presidency

2008-08-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

And they got me on TV !. AMAZING! Check out this link:
http://www.news3online.com/index.php?code=347r7Vz7O081WbV92WoU

Andre Walker is the man

2008-06-15T20:05:00.001-07:00

Amazing fashion designer and a collaborator.

Happy father's Day_Talk to me

2008-06-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

35 Millions

2008-06-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

I was there.
This Leger painting was sold for 35M.
After such an event,
you wander aimlessly in the streets of NY, celebrating the victory of art,
and/or asking yourself What the hell are you doing?
Why bother with anything?
Things are so unproportionless !
But (as I was advised by a gallery owner), the best thing to do is just keep doing !

It makes sense now

2008-06-15T19:30:00.001-07:00

I like it

2008-06-15T19:12:00.000-07:00

That's crazy, but not really

2008-06-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

So, yes, here's another clue for the project I'm working on .
Please, don't hesitate to ask me more.
(I feel like I'm talking to myself here, but that's OK).

That's fantastic

2008-06-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

Hi,
That's fantastic....Thinking about one thing,
Having a plan to show another thing, and ending up with something completely different.
But it all make sense.
Here is an image (actually two)that I took in Costa Rica last month.
It belongs to a project I started, that I can't tell u much about (before I seal the book deal).

I am an American now

2008-06-15T18:12:00.000-07:00

Big hello to all my 2.382 fans (probably less, since the number is the visits on my blog in March).
Big apology also to everyone, since I was not communicating (blogwise) for over two months !!!!
I was just too busy to write.
Where shall I start ?
I gathered 87 photos that I'd like to post, that will pour some highlights on my activities in the past two months (btw, the cooking video is edited, and I'm going to start showing it to the right people soon)...but I want to save u the trouble of seeing so much at once.
I'll write now for a couple of hours (till I drop), and upload images as well, to illuminate my thoughts/activities.
Actually, I'll drop images that don't illuminate my thougts in the order of me writing, but just in the order of them grab me as I look at them in the "Bridge" application.
So, here's Triple H , An American wrester, an image I took a while ago, and I emailed it recently to a nice lady I met while shooting an event for a fund raising (Her son is a wrestler).

Cooking videos

2008-04-10T00:11:00.001-07:00

I shot three cooking videos last week, staring myself and a model.

Sit-Ups

2008-04-09T23:52:00.000-07:00

The first time that I saw a naked woman while I was an adolescence was from my classmate's (Yoram Mozes) appartment. His window was facing a boarding house for Israeli female soldiers (in tel Aviv) , and I saw a naked young woman doing sit-ups on her bed , before going to sleep.
This series that I did as a student echoes that experience, as well, is a visual translation to my thoughts, that men have to workout, in order to be attarctive.
The red coloring on the top occured from the chrome being exposed to the light before getting developed. (same as happened with the image in my last post).

Inspired by Picasso inspired by Velasquez

2008-04-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

This a selp-portrait I did while being a student .
I used the menniquen as a stand-in, and it also interprets my concept of an artist being a non-human, passive, voyer, observer, non-participant in the organic course of life(even amputated), but still, get honors (flowers) for his contribution.
I was attending a class, at the time,about Picasso (led by the curator Moti Omer), and was inspired by the version of Picasso to the painting "Las Manitas" ( English: The Maids of Honour) of , originally, Velasquez.(1656)
In his version, Picasso enlarges and enhances the figure on the left, who is the artist himself.It's obvious, that it gives the artist a more significant role than the Royal daughter herself, who is "supposed" to be the subject of the painting.

This Is Why I'm Sad

2008-03-28T22:24:00.000-07:00

March 30th. is my birthday (same as Van Gogh).
March 30th. is also the day when my Mom passed away, last year.

My Mom

2008-03-28T17:14:00.001-07:00

2 more days to live.

My loft_Before and After

2008-03-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

You can see a view towards the West side in my loft.
The empty one was taken while I was checking out the space before moving in (3 years ago.)
What used to be the freight elevator of the building is now my bedroom (I have got a real bed since the photo was taken, and I don't sleep any more on a futon).

Gwyn , you're a winner

2008-03-24T17:47:00.001-07:00

So, it's a big moment, since I just poted my "bio" today on the new website.
I can annonce it now.
Not that's it's finished...I still want to put a bunch of portraits of a few talented people (as Harold Bloom the writer, Jonathan Pryce the actor,Frank Stella the artist, and others)that I've been doing in the past few years...but it's a good moment.
So, I just sumbled upon a low-res scan of an image of a friend of mine , Gwyn, that I took back in the days, so I'm posting it here on the blog, and I'll email her.
Cheers !

Meet Alex

2008-03-21T00:16:00.000-07:00

Meet Alex, my neighbor, an amazing artist (singer).
See some more images in the Comissioned section of the portfolio.
I'll move it later on there to the right folder.

Boofbaxtar

2008-03-04T18:31:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons for me to display those images here and now.
I had an hour presentation of my work recently for about 80 people, mostly from the photography world, and the most important thing that I learned from that event was that, It's better when I talk less.
So, from now on I'm going to try to just present work without much explanations.
But, since I love to talk about my work, you're welcome to email me , and ask questions.
I'll do it for you, personally.

Oh, Polaroid

2008-02-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

Photo©Rafael Fuchs of Wyatt Mitchell_Design Director
Yes,
The era of Polaroid is over (untill, at least, another company will buy it....Probably Bill Gates/ Getty, but this is just my personal prediction).
Here is an image of a print made of the negative of a Pos-Neg 4x5" B&W Polaroid (sorry to be technical) I took last year of Wyatt Mitchell who used to work at that time as a Director of Design for Vibe magezine, and since then he blazed through Oprah magazine and settled in SF, working for Wired .

Juergen Teller's opening

2008-02-07T21:43:00.000-08:00

Yes,
I had an urge to mingle amongst the beautiful crowd ,
So, I went to Juergen's opening at Lehmann Maupin in Chelsea...
I liked his display: the photos on the table, with a protective glass...
So close, yet so far...
from his subjects.
See here a 10 minutes video I took while roamimng the gallery and outside, next to the German hotdogs that were served.
You'll, probably, recognize at least one person from the "art and beautiful people world" (and, maybe, yourself).
Don't miss the "spectacular" ending of this video...

Collaboration with Shirin Neshat

2008-01-20T00:21:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure exactly why I decided to post the collaboration art piece I share a credit with Shirin Neshat, but here it is.
We both did it a few years ago, as a contribution for witness.org , an international human rights organization that give video cameras to people around the world in order to document human rights violations, and open the eyes of the world.
The project was produced by Alina Slonim, and directed creativly by another maverick artist, Izhar Patkin.
The spirit of the image is peace between Jews and Moslems.
I shot the image of the hands.
The male is wearing a "Tefillin", which is worn during the weekday morning prayer services of the Orthodox Jewish male as a sign and remembrance that God brought the "Children Of Israel" out of slavery in Egypt.
Shirin Neshat, who was born in Iran, did the Arabic calligraphy on the female's hand in my shot.
The image was printed as an edition of 100 , plus a few arists proof, and I believe that it is all sold out (or almost)
The money of the purchases went to witness.org , although some prints are sold in a second market of auction houses.

It's Amazing_Video

2008-01-19T21:03:00.000-08:00

OK, so I know you won't get it...
Neither do I.
Let's pretend that it's some kind of a trailer to an action movie that was shot all on grey.
You'll know more when I'll add a bit text , visual effects, words like "Xenia, secret agent 2", etc. (This is the real name of the actress that swaying her hips smoothly),
etc.
It's pretty much an abstract piece, and you'll probably end up watching it more than once...

Conflict

2008-01-16T23:00:00.000-08:00

To end the day with a bang?
Or to quiet down?
A personal conflict.
See visual translation of it above,
circa 1991
Celebration of Urself.
I was taping today the audio portion for the love story images in my "projects' area of my site.
.

Men with black coats in open nature

2008-01-13T21:51:00.000-08:00

I love Dan Winters' photography, and I'm a big fan.
It was a nice surprise to see that one of the photos that he did for Time magazine (a portrait of Al Gore) was very similar in style to a portrait that I took about 14 years ago (Oh Lord..time flies...)of Burt Reynolds (for Time Inc as well)...
I guess, Men In Black is still in vogue.

Snow

2008-01-11T23:19:00.000-08:00

It's quite late on a Saturday evening...
I picked some amazing images that deal with the social standards in the US...
So I'm not sure why I'm posting these two variations for an ad I did a few years ago for Mr. Coffee that featured (amongst others that I shot)Chris Klug, the Bronze medal winner in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
I guess I didn't figure out yet which version is cooler...the one with the painted backdrop, or the one with the plexiglass that I suggested to try for the campaign.

Beautiful

2008-01-10T21:34:00.000-08:00

photo©Rafael FuchsDec. 2007
Today was a creative day.
First, finally, Me and my assistant, Meg solved a few Quicktime challenges, and were able to upload videos to my website http://www.fuchs.us.com/
We also uploaded a couple new chapters in the "projects" area...quite difficult images, some from 9/11
So, just to end the working day nice , I wanted to upload an image of a beautiful model (Carly) that I took about a month ago, as a part of a book project (nude).

The Red Bushard Project

2008-01-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

Today is an important day, since I uploaded on my site one of the drafts (could be the final, if you ask me)for my first brochure of The Red Bushard Project.
It's in the projects section of one of my websites : www.fuchs.us.com
The Red Bushard project started at around the year 2000, when I got my first digital camera from Fuji, in order to practice and be prepared for the first ad campaign that I shot a couple of weeks later on for that client.
It was really exciting.
Since then I tried various digital cameras of Canon, Nikon,Sony,Olympus Kodak,Hasseblad and more).
The Red Bushard Project is, actually, a personal visual diary, that I keep doing till these days.
Red Bushard is a character in a Western style soft cover books that I used to read as a kid, growing up in Tel Aviv.
Red Bushard was the deputy, and, for me, he represents the hard working cowboy who is behind the scenes, usually, riding high (...I mean fast...), solving the problems, taking care of business,nevertheless that the Sherif (Bill Carter....this was the name of the book series) might get all the glory and the exposure.
Red is , by comparison, the drummer in the band (And there's nothing wrong in being Phil Collins, let's say).
In any case, Red Bushard is a style of photography that I've been practicing since the 80's. It comes and goes...
One of my best series of the "Red Bushard" style is a series of photos I did back then (titled Israel 1983-4), which will see the day of light at some point this year.
The image I have here, in this post, is an image of a woman I took in a Church in The West Village, NY,circa 2002 while attending a wedding of my studio manager,Jennifer Gerardi, at the time.
This is one of the images that the amazing designer Allan Hori at was combinig with another image for the brochure, a very interesting practice he did a few times in the design of the piece.
We never printed the brochure....yet !

Guy Bourdin

2008-01-06T08:57:00.000-08:00

photos© rafael fuchs circa early 90's

I wanted to mention a two volumes book by Guy Bourdin that I purchased recently, titled "A Message For You" : The first Volume has images, taken by Guy Bourdin in 1978-80, of the model Nicolle Meyer, compiled by her, and the other volume has sketches and memoires of her, related to his photography.
Apropos Mr. Bourdin, I found in the same box I was talking about in my previous blog post the images I'm adding above, that I took about 2 years prior to the ones in the hotel.
btw, I just lay down the prints and take a picture of them and post it from that file (This is why it's slightly blurry on the blog), rather than scanning them (I'll scan them later on).

Limited edition

2008-01-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

It was very liberating to see the joy of my daughter (almost 11 years of age)the other day, when I told her how much the images and my negatives will be worth in forty years, and that she will be the main heir.
She was realistic and skeptical, though, and said: "Maybe...maybe not.."
So, just to assure her, and demonstrate, I pulled one of the (about 600) boxes I have with negatives and archival prints (that I printed myself) of a dear friend of mine, whose portraits I took in the early 90's (I'm shooting mostly digital nowadays, though).
I told her the importance of me signing the images, and that I should do it, while I can ( I also told her the "funny" story I heard a while ago about Salvador Dali's wife, that brought a lot of painting and drawings to her husband to sign, as he was about to pass away).
I did spend some time today , signing (with archival pen, "on the verso") and creating the editions of the C-prints and a few 4x5 B&W polaroids of that specific box of images.
I made sure that the editions of the prints are very limited (sometimes just 2 or 3 prints in an edition), since I'd like these prints to be owned by only a few good people.
I did not tell my daughter that the images of my friend (except for the one with the smoke) were taken at The Chelsmore Hotel (where my friend was staying for about a month...in the early 90's)just a week before she was attacked by a raper who forced his way to her room.
Luckily, she fought back,and the attacker ran away before he was able to commit his ugly crime.