There was a rollercoaster in place of my brain recently when having a photography exhibit go up at SFMOMA. Even though it was a small showing (only 32 photos), the g-force walloped me both literally and figuratively. In a good way.
Since “The Nopening” in January I haven’t been able to get anything done. Add to that a couple of weeks ago I fainted, hit my head, and woke up in the ER with a concussion. What is happening to me?
I think the first target you set as a young photographer is to get published in a magazine or newspaper. That one is easy because you figure out how to start your own magazine or newspaper and run your own photos in it.
The second target is almost a joke, you say it but don’t mean it because it is pure fantasy, that is to have your photos in a museum.
It has happened before, a photo here or there, in an institution, in another city, in another country, but nothing like this.
It felt like we won a championship, training since the day we made our first zine. Yet we didn’t know there was a contest, so it was also very much lottery vibes. Either way, I will take it. I am grateful and proud of our efforts. We tossed the grenade, kaboom the exhibit opened, and I was blown to bits.
Finally getting it together. What is next? Easy to overthink it but also easy to answer, more books and zines. Next year will be the 25th anniversary of Hamburger Eyes, let’s make a book. We will work on new issues for this year, we will work on a new book for next year, and we will cancel all other plans because nothing else matters.
More soon.
PS. Our exhibit at SFMOMA is not over, it is up through August and I am doing a slideshow presentation in the theater there this Thursday, June 6th at 6pm PST alongside some great photographers.
