Depth of Field

Back Door Comedy

(c) kamau ware 2009

[left to right: Kelly Wallace-Barnhill and Lindsey Gentile]

Yours truly (kamau) recently posted a review of the infamous Sex and the City tour on kamaustudios. As you will read or remember, i sort of bonded with my tour guide, Lindsey who i promised i would check out her other gig - the Back Door Comedy night she hosts with creative partner, Kelly.  

DoF: how would you describe your event to an extra terrestrial?

Back Door Comedy is a bunch of people in a room laughing. Laughter is caused by the epiglottis constricting the larynx, causing respiratory upset. Are you single, and will you make out with me right now?

DoF: how did this event concept come together?

The event concept came from the decision to create an Empire. We are acting out like a six year old child would. We are opportunists. We are also single.

DoF: if a sponsor gave you $20 grand for four events, what would you do with the money?

If a sponser gave us $20,000 for four events, we would produce short, high quality indie mock sitcoms, which is another project we've been working on. We would hire the funniest, best looking, most famous comedians in the world to perform at Back Door Comedy. And then pay them to spend time with us. We would get our vaginas waxed. Twice. We would write another show together starring us and have the budget for beer helmets to fall from the ceiling for each audience member and other great effects. We would have shirtless men backstage to fan us and feed us with grapes

DoF: what kind of events do you like to attend?

We like live music.. We like things that are funny. We don't want to spend a lot of money. We like events that evoke positivity and creativity and inspiration. And anything that uses a donkey in new and interesting ways.

Contact them directly.

Back Door Comedy night takes place ever Monday, i.e. tonight!

Bar Nine in Hell's Kitchen: 807 Ninth Avenue

8p - 9:30p

Lindsey and Kelly host Back Door Comedy night from kamau ware on Vimeo.

Jade D.

(c) kamau ware 2009


DoF recently had a chance to sit down with photographer and curator, Jade Doskow. The interview was conducted by kamau ware.


DoF: What makes a good photography exhibition?

JD: It depends what size the show is... if it's 2-3 people, the work should have a dialogue which is either similar or opposing in idea and energy. As Paula Abdul says, 'opposites attract.' In larger shows I love the energy of showing multi-media, and how a photograph and a sculpture and a video piece can all compliment each other visually and conceptually. These are the most exciting shows to me to  put together.


DoF: What are you shooting with these days?

JD: A Wista 45DX Field camera.


DoF: What was your first camera? Your next camera?

JD: My first photo project was shot on a plastic Holga. I found what I could do with the Holga very 'modern futurist' back when I was green. Now I'm an OCD large format perfectionist. I just got a new camera which I am very excited to shoot with, an Arca-Swiss Discovery, a field/ technical 4x5 camera. I got it on ebay for a really great price. It's very sexy.


DoF: How do you think photography will change in the next 5 years?

JD: There are so many amazing photographers and artists out there currently, either using photography as a tool as a means to an end, making straight photographs, or digitally creating imagined worlds using pieces plucked from reality with a camera. I think more and more creative people realize photography and Photoshop provide a whole new set of tools; things will become more and more limitless and envelope-pushing. Ideally, photography as an art form will be respected as equally as painting or sculpture because just as much imagination will be required---as opposed to just technical skills and an expensive academic background.

Paris to Pixels

(c) kamau ware 2009

DoF recently had a chance to sit down with photographer Greg Scaffidi. He has some of his recent work published in Soma Magazine. The interview was conducted by Moon Kim.


DoF: At what moment did you realize you had to be a photographer?

 

GS: I was in the dark room and was watching a print that I had captured in my trip to Mexico develop. As I watched the print become a portrait of the Mexican boy, I knew in that moment that photography was going to be my career.


DoF: What was your first camera?

GS: 110 Instantmatic.


DoF: What adjacent art form inspires you and helps you be a better photographer?

GS: Film, which is basically moving photos and at times a stronger medium. I get inspired by documentaries – particularly war documentaries since they expose the raw mentality of the most fucked up situations and bring you to the most basic level of emotions. Another favorite is Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse, a documentary about the making of the film Apocalypse Now and narrated by Eleanor Coppola.


DoF: What are your thoughts about digital photography?

GS: For the longest time, I fought against going digital and proudly held onto film. But technology and cost finally led me to make the transition. These days, you can almost get the same feel and tone with digital as you would with film. I’m still much more confident with film but I can take more photos with digital, which helps relax the subject. Digital photography has helped me to remain on my toes. With technology always evolving, I am constantly learning.


DoF: With camera phones being so widely available, photography has become much more democratized. How do you feel about that?

GS: I think it’s a wonderful thing and don’t feel at all threatened. As I like to say, it’s not the camera… it’s the photographer. A camera is just one piece of the pie.


DoF: Who are some pivotal photographers that inspired you to learn more about the art form?

GS: Roy de Carva is one. He was a master of black and white photos. There are so many sharp details in his blacks. Bruce Davidson is another one. His use of light and shadow is just amazing. Danny Lyon  and Michel Compte.

DoF: Besides these talented artists and photographers, do you have any other moments that schooled you in photography?

Living and working in Paris. I was studying abroad in Paris one semester in college. Almost immediately, I realized I had to stay here and dropped out of school. My real education in photography started when I dropped out. In fact, my professor encouraged me and told me, “Beg, borrow or steal but stay in Paris.” I was in Paris for two years and worked for a number of fashion magazines like W Europe.

Moving to New York was another event that really helped me break out into photography. I came to New York May 1999 after selling everything I owned in Los Angeles. New York still entices me to shoot, especially the Lower Ease Side neighborhood and the tenement building 91 Orchard Street where I live. There I am constantly surrounded by diversity and immigrant experiences.

And traveling continues to help me grow as a photographer. First sighting in a new place is sensory overload for me. Whenever I’m in a new place or a new country, it’s like I have a new pair of eyes. There’s a good photograph everywhere – you just have to find it.

Tenement Talks

(c) kamau ware 2009

DoF recently had a chance to sit down with Amanda Lydon who runs the acclaimed Tenement Talks series for the Tenement Museum in the Lower East Side. The interview was conducted by Moon Kim.

DoF: How would you describe Tenement Talks?

AL: Tenement Talks is a free evening event series at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Each week, we host lectures, readings, panel discussions, films, and other programming that provide historical and contemporary perspectives on New York City’s rich culture.  Presenters have included Pete Hamill, Richard Price, Ira Glass, the filmmaker David Grubin, and Ruth Reichl. It’s always a low key, yet culturally affluent evening. I learn something valuable at each Tenement Talk.

 

DoF: What brought you to the Tenement Museum?

AL: I came to the Tenement Museum serendipitously. A friend learned they needed someone to work in the shop and help build the events series. My background is in bookselling and publishing, so I was intrigued. Admittedly, I didn’t know much about the museum. When I learned the mission was to promote tolerance through historical perspective, I was hooked. The dedication to helping people draw parallels between the past and present to better understand the current immigration experience spoke to my social justice interests.

DoF: What influences/inspiration/events have had the greatest impact on your career?

AL: I’m so ashamed to say that I don’t go to as many events in New York as I should. However, McNally Jackson on Prince Street hosts a great Author/Editor series that I try to get to as often as possible. I love catching music at Rockwood Music Hall on Allen Street. And so many of my friends are always hosting amazing social awareness and fundraising events around the city that I wish I attended more.

 

DoF: What would be your dream event to host or attend?

AL: Since I’ve started working at the Tenement Museum, I’ve wanted to host an event with Edwidge Danticat. Her collection of short stories, Krik Krak really resonated with me. Her most recent book, Brother I’m Dying, is a memoir about her family. I don’t want to give away too much if you haven’t read it, but it’s equal parts inspiring equal parts horrific story about the magic of family times and the systemic problems in our detention center processes. I’d love for Edwidge to come and talk about her story along with other less famous people who have had similar problems with our failing immigration laws. 

 

DoF: Why are events important to you? 

AL: I never wondered why events were important to me. I guess it’s kind of like reading. People often say they don’t have time to read, but for me, it’s the first thing I do when I wake up and usually the last thing I do before my eyes shut. I guess I’m kind of an information and story whore. I need all I can get. Events provide not just new information and platforms for great story sharing, but a personal connection as well. I love the social aspect. I love being in a room when 100 people all nod at the same time or all laugh or gasp in unison. As a culture, particularly in this city, community is often going by the wayside. Events are a direct counter to that.

Tenement Talks is on facebook.

Brooklyn Renaissance

(c) kamau ware 2009

We caught up with our fam at Brooklyn Renaissance, an up and coming clothing boutique and full service screen printing salon. Brandon, Ish and Marz were recovering and cleaning up from last night's commercial premiere event. They described a packed house of Brooklyn's finest, classic art by Fernando and a vibe they are trying to ride for the rest of the summer.

DoF captured them in their element and snagged some rare behind the scenes shots of their Fulton St. headquarters.

Stay tuned for the interview.

- Chen Lo


(credit TBD)

Con Artist

(c) kamau ware 2009

I came across this guy selling t shirts with photos from the 1970s on them. He told me he was the photographer but he went by the name "Con Artist". I can't find him anywhere online though. Hey, dude, if you're out there, send your email and website.

-kw