PGH Photo Fair Speaker Series #4: The Bidwells

Please join us for our next PGH Photo Fair Speaker Series installment as we welcome Northeast Ohio-based art collectors and philanthropists, Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell, founders of the Bidwell Foundation and Cleveland’s new events and exhibitions space, the Transformer Station. After exploring the photography world from the perspective of the auction house and the gallery, the third and fourth installments of the PGH Photo Fair Speakers Series explore a new area by putting collectors in the spotlight.

The talk will be held at The Andy Warhol Museum on Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Doors open at 6:00pm with a cash bar followed by our talk at 7pm. This event is free and open to the public.

In this talk, the Bidwells discuss the pleasures and pitfalls of collecting, how they established their “ground rules” (to guide their collecting and to keep from getting overwhelmed) and why they chose to focus on contemporary art. For Fred, one of the special rewards of collecting living artists is the relationships that can develop. Besides the satisfaction of supporting creativity, he notes, “artists tend to be interesting people.”

Fred and Laura Bidwell will also introduce to Pittsburgh their latest project: the Transformer Station. This public-private partnership with the Cleveland Museum of Art, unique in the United States, is designed to bring original contemporary arts exhibitions, events and programming from around the world to the west side of Cleveland.

The Bidwells were first inspired to collect photo-based art after visiting a friend and passionate collector, whose home had been transformed into a remarkable floor-to-ceiling exhibition. Gradually, as their collection grew in size and significance, Bidwell Projects was formed. Today, the Bidwell Foundation supports numerous artists and arts institutions concentrating in Northeast Ohio. They have worked closely with Akron Museum of Art, University of Akron, Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland, SPACES Gallery, Inter-Museum Conservation Association and the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Just as a refresher about the genesis of all this: PGH Photo Fair, through the auspices of Fugitive Vision, LLC, is sponsoring six talks on photography at a variety of venues in Pittsburgh on the 2nd Wednesday of every month leading up to the fair this Spring. The series aims to augment the already rich art and photography scene in Pittsburgh with speakers who will focus on the state of the art, collecting, and connoisseurship.

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For more info on PGH Photo Fair speaker series, please click here.  
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Written with the help of Alexandra Oliver

Pittsburgh welcomed Tom Gitterman

Even though Pittsburgh was hit with a snowy, slushy night, we had a great turnout for Tom Gitterman's talk in our 3rd installment of the PGH Photo Fair's Speaker series. Tom brought dozens of examples -- from Roger Fenton to Ken Josephson -- to illustrate his thoughts on connoisseurship, pricing, process, and (most importantly) his passion for the medium. The goal of the series has been to encourage debate and conversation around photography, so it was a pleasure to hear Tom's talk peppered with questions and enthusiastic responses. Gitterman Gallery will be one of the 12 galleries featured in the PGH Photo Fair this May 18-19, so those who missed the talk will have another chance to speak with Tom about photography and the work he will be bringing to show.

Remember, the Speaker Series is every 2nd Wednesday of the month up to the time of the fair in May. Next up will be Fred and Laura Bidwell, noted collectors from the Cleveland area, at the Warhol on March 13th. A post dedicated to that event will be up soon. Follow me for updates or sign up on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pghphotofair.

PGH Photo Fair Speaker Series #3: Tom Gitterman at Mattress Factory February 13th.

Next up in the PGH Photo Fair Speaker Series, Tom Gitterman will share his expert knowledge and experience on collecting photography in a talk at The Mattress Factory Art Museum. Some of you may remember Mr. Gitterman from his participation in last year’s fair, and the wealth of exquisite prints he had on offer from the mid 20th century to the present day.

Through a hands on presentation with dozens of examples, Mr. Gitterman will demonstrate various ways that a photograph can be valued, what to look for when considering a print for purchase, and sharing key components of different photographic processes. This will be a very interactive event – more of a seminar – with audience members encouraged to handle and personally view matted prints that Mr. Gitterman has brought to illustrate his discussion.

“The overall goal in my talk is to give greater confidence to those thinking about collecting,” Gitterman says, “by providing them with questions to ask when considering buying for themselves, and by giving them specific examples of what to look for.” In addition to over 20 years of experience in the fine art photography world, Gitterman brings an infectious passion to his work at Gitterman Gallery in New York City, where he handles a range of style and periods that span the range of the medium’s history.

The talk will be held at TheMattress Factory, 500 Sampsonia Way, on Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Join us for refreshments at 6:30pm followed by our talk at 7pm. This event is free and open to the public.  

For those of you new to this blog, PGH Photo Fair, through the auspices of Fugitive Vision, LLC, is sponsoring six talks on photography at a variety of venues in Pittsburgh on the 2nd Wednesday of every month leading up to the fair this Spring. The series aims to augment the already rich art and photography scene in Pittsburgh with speakers who will focus on the state of the art, collecting, and connoisseurship.

A few weeks ago, we welcomed Deborah Bell, the Vice President Specialist of the Photographs Department at Christie's Auction House in New York City. Ms. Bell graciously shared highlights from recent and upcoming auctions and answered audience questions about her experiences at one of the world’s largest auction houses.  We were delighted to have a full house and hope to see another good turnout for our 3^rd event with Mr. Gitterman.

Deb Bell was a huge hit!

At least 100 people crowded into the Mattress Factory lobby last Wednesday night for a talk with Christie's photo specialist, Deborah Bell. It was SRO to hear Ms Bell speak on a wide variety of subjects from the ins and outs of the auction business to her thoughts on the world of contemporary photography. The crowd was an engaged mix of both amateurs (in the true French sense of the word) and art world professionals which led to a lively question and answer session. We ended up going quite a bit overtime because the questions kept on coming. Thank you to all who came to hear Ms Bell and to support the PGH Photo Fair Speaker series. I appreciate it more than I can say!

Next up is Tom Gitterman of Gitterman Gallery in NY. He will be bringing dozens of hands on examples in order to discuss the role of connoisseurship in buying a photograph. We will be doing away with the standard lecture format for this one. There will be matted examples of work to be passed around and viewed individually as Mr Gitterman discusses details that can only be seen in person and close-up. Not to be missed! More details as the event comes closer.

www.gittermangallery.com

PGH Photo Fair Speaker Series #2: Deb Bell at Mattress Factory January 9th

In 2011, after 23 years in art sales, Deborah Bell became Vice President Specialist of the Photographs Department at Christie's auction house. Today, she admits, she is “still new to the business.” In the strictest sense, this may be true, but her long engagement with photography is as multifaceted as the medium itself. As a volunteer tour guide at the Walker Art Center during her teens, then as a BFA student, later as a freelance photographer, a printer, a professor, and, finally, as a professional dealer with her own gallery, Bell's scholarship and experience set a high standard.

Deborah Bell will share her insights and expertise as a part of the impressive lineup at the PGH Photo Fair Speaker’s Series. The evening will discuss market trends, the differences between running her own gallery and managing a full department at a major auction house, and the work she’s been doing to consolidate Christie’s tremendous reputation for “single-owner sales.” These sales consist of works drawn exclusively from a single collection. As more important early collections from the 1970s and 80s appear on the market, Bell explains, her department becomes more sensitive to their peculiarities. Unlike the “various owner” sales that feature objects from various consignors, single-owner sales often take fascinating biographical or aesthetic shapes, reflecting the character of the collector in surprising ways. Beyond the obvious appeal to collectors of photography, this talk will interest pretty much anyone who has an interest in the medium. But photography is not the sole topic of interest here. Anyone who has a passion for contemporary art and the role of the major auction houses in that market will be curious to hear what Ms Bell has to say.  

This is the second talk of the ongoing PGH Photo Fair Speakers Series. The first was delivered earlier this December by the curator and author Marvin Heiferman to a jam-packed Carnegie Museum apartment space in Lawrenceville. Following the format of this earlier event, Bell’s presentation will include a conversation with me followed by audience questions.

January 9, 2013

Mattress Factory Lobby

6:30, talk starts at 7:00, finish around 8:00

500 Sampsonia Way

Pittsburgh, PA 15212

www.pghphotofair.com

www.mattress.org

(guest contributing writer, Alexandra Oliver) 

New speaker series in Pittsburgh

The PGH Photo Fair is pleased to announce the PGH Photo Fair Speaker Series. The PGH Photo Fair, through the auspices of Fugitive Vision, LLC, is sponsoring six talks on photography at a variety of venues in Pittsburgh on the 2nd Wednesday of every month leading up to the fair on May 18-19, 2013. The series aims to augment the already rich art and photography scene in Pittsburgh with speakers who will focus on the state of the art, collecting, and connoisseurship. Please visit our website, www.pghphotofair.com, for more information, venues, and bios of the speakers.
 

Marvin Heiferman, author, curator, educator. Event date passed.
December 12, 2012 6:30pm
2013 Carnegie International Satellite Apartment

Deborah Bell, Vice President Specialist of the Photographs Department at Christie's, NYC
January 9 2013 6:30pm
Mattress Factory
500 Sampsonia Way Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Tom Gitterman, owner/founder of Gitterman Gallery in NYC
February 13, 2013 6:30pm
Mattress Factory
500 Sampsonia Way Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Fred & Laura Ruth Bidwell, noted collectors and founders of the Transformer Station in Cleveland, OH
March 13, 2013 6:30pm
The Andy Warhol Museum
117 Sandusky Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212

David Howe, artist and collector. Founder of 601 Artspace in NYC
April 10, 2013 6:30pm
The Andy Warhol Museum
117 Sandusky Street Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Nora Kennedy & Peter Mustardo, photo conservation experts; Ms Kennedy at the Met Museum and Mr Mustardo at the Better Image in NYC.
May 8, 2013 6:30pm
Carnegie Museum of Art Theater
4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Critical Mass 2012

As I have for the past few editions, I will be a juror for the final round of Critical Mass. The deadline to participate is coming up, so don't hesitate to submit. I'd love to see more work from photographers I know. Text from Critical with submission details is below. Check it out:

CRITICAL MASS 2012

Photolucida's Critical Mass, now in it's 9th year, is a program about exposure and community. Not a traditional photography competition, the goal is to provide participants with career-building opportunities and to promote the best emerging photographers working today in a multitude of ways.

In addition to putting the participants' work in front of 200 (yes, 200!) of the best industry professionals internationally, photographers from the finalist group will be chosen for awards:  A book award in collaboration with publisher Kehrer Verlag, solo shows given by Blue Sky Gallery and The Center for Fine Art Photography, and exposure as part of the Top 50 traveling exhibition curated by W.M. Hunt showing at Jennifer Schwartz Gallery and Southeast Museum of Photography.  And…three coveted 'golden tickets' to Photolucida's next biennial Portfolio Reviews event! All who submit to Critical Mass receive the monograph of the book award winner, once published.

For complete submission information, visit Photolucida's Critical Mass homepage.

For Critical Mass juror list, success stories, and details on awards and collaborations, visit Photolucida's blog.

Check it out!

DEADLINE: JULY 16th!