"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera." - Dorothea Lange

Saturday, January 16, 2010

nelson-atkins talk

I gave my talk this afternoon at the Nelson-Atkins Museum. Assistant Curator of Photography Jane Aspinwall gave me the nicest introduction I have EVER received. She and Associate Curator April Watson made me feel like royalty, as did Natalie Boten, Photography Department Coordinator. There was a book signing after my presentation; the bookstore manager and buyer Raymond and John (respectively) were unbelievably helpful and so sweet. Kevin, the tech guy was awesome, too. It was a sold-out crowd in beautiful Lens 2, an intimate space in the new Bloch Building. I saw people I hadn't seen in years. I also saw many good friends and faithful supporters. It was truly an amazing afternoon, and as I said to those who were there, a pretty big deal for me. Thanks to all who made it such a memorable and special day for me.

Among the boatload of images I showed were several of the new pictures I made last month in Uganda.





9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your program at the Museum today... I was so moved by your images and words. I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but it seemed as though you were speaking directly to me! The images of your family home brought tears and woke me up to time passing and the need to capture what soon may not be part of my world. Your recent works with children in Uganda raises the bar and recalls for me such artists as Lange, W.Eugene Smith and many others who embraced the medium as a means of enlightening the human experience. I look forward to spending some time over the next few days with Kutuuka and returning often to this special place you have captured with grace, clarity, and an honest heart. - R.O

Anonymous said...

It was "a big deal" for all of us also. Thanks for sharing your vision with us. SM

Lacy said...

Love your images. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

It was my pleasure being there. I love the goat & children image, and 2 of your new portraits are dynamite (Godfrey hand over heart, and the one with the 2 girls). I also enjoyed seeing the twins work again. I think that body of images is under-appreciated--there's some weighty psychological stuff going on in many of them while others are just plain fun. Hope to see you again soon.

JD

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reviewing the images I have seen before but I really felt good about the recent images from your last trip. The turn out was great and your words very personal and illuminating. M.

Anonymous said...

Your talk was altogether educational, uplifting, and gut-wrenching (at times). Your work enables me, (and others, I'm confident) to reflect and discover teeny emotional spots I didn't know were there.

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your talk on Saturday. It is a rare moment in life when you can have a smile on your face at the same time your eyes well with tears, but it is for these moments that I get up every day.

-N.

Anonymous said...

I have heard piece meal parts of your explanations before but it was illuminating and surprisingly comforting to hear a considered cohesive explanation of your work. I say “surprisingly comforting” because that was not an emotion I had anticipated, especially so considering some of the subject matter. Your physical presence behind us was a great idea, we could concentrate on your words and the photographs without the distraction of a speaker’s presence in line of sight.

You certainly had a large turnout. I hope it exceeded your expectation. Congratulations on a marvelous presentation. We are the richer for it. David

Anonymous said...

Gloria – so enjoyable to see your work and hear your talk – very moving. I always enjoy people who speak and work from their hearts.
Julia