Some months back now two photographers, one graphic designer and little old me got together to discuss the possibilities of publishing a magazine dedicated to the collaboration of independent documentary photography groups. Headed up by the collective MJR, we wanted to see what would happen if in each issue we invited a different photography group to collaborate.
For the photographers, this idea was borne from their current feeling of abandonment by the commercial and professional world of documentary photography. Like so many art and publishing streams, documentary photographers have had a big, sobering bucket of ice-cold water thrown over them in the last couple of years. There's is no longer an industry of international glory boosted by high budgets and open borders, it's literally the opposite. Young photographers are therefore forced to either ignore their passion for visual reportage and story-telling (and perhaps slide on into the glam world of school portrait and debutante ball photography) or choose to stand apart on their own platform.
I acted as Editor and Curator on the project. Nicholas Le Messurier as the Graphic Designer. I called the magazine Make-Do, as after listening their ideas and motivations i could see that this was their way of making-do in these "tough times".
Side note: I also just really liked the active verb construction. I also really like hyphens.
Issue One marries the work of MJR and LUCEO. Once I opened the floodgates for submissions, I knew i had bitten off something delicious. As I mentioned in my previous posts, their folios were utterly mental --i think i said "oh my gawd" and "holy s***!" 121 times when viewing the work for the first time-- these guys have a lot of talent flying betwixt 'em.
But, i ramble and meander. Thursday 21st Jan is the launch party and all photography in the magazine will be in gargantuan form on the walls of 21pcw gallery uptown Manhattan.
Please come if you're in New York.
Drinks (plural) on us.
Here's some press stuff:
About the show:
MJR and Luceo are photography groups determined to Make-Do with an industry in transition. This publication is part of a larger vision to strengthen independent platforms for expression and collaboration. The show will feature a limited edition fine-art print publication distributed to the first 200 attendees. Large-scale reproductions of the publication pages will be displayed on the gallery walls
Editorial by Gillian Tozer:
The role of the documentary photographer has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. No longer emblazoned in funding and dispatched to remote surroundings adjacent to ‘the action’, the photojournalist must now explore their own environment. This exploration of the familiar is perhaps what best aligns the two photography collectives of MJR and LUCEO.
Issue One of Make-Do captures the cultural struggle within America as it embraces a ‘new’ era of change while desperately clinging to that which made it solid. Among the degradation and disarray, there are traditions, habits and memories that call out to be salvaged. What you will witness is a dialogue between the America that was and the America that is now. For those working outside of America the same theme pervades.
This collection documents the youthful and local meanderings of each photographer. While each series is strikingly different to the next, what remains ubiquitous is a sense of stoicism in the face of an inescapable and united collapse. This subject of human resilience is not uncommon to photojournalism, but it is never cumbersome, nor can be disregarded due to the warmth and significance it emanates. These are everyday, fleeting moments, often stumbled upon, now marked in print.
LUCEO:
David Walter Banks, Kendrick Brinson, Matt Eich, Kevin German, Tim Lytvinenko, Daryl Peveto, Matt Slaby
MJR:
Mustafah Abdulaziz, Ying Ang, Matthew Craig, Julius Metoyer, Gareth Phillips, Brandon Thibodeaux
DESIGN:
Nicholas LeMessurier
EDITOR/CURATOR:
Gillian Tozer
CONTACT:
For more info, contact David Walter Banks
email: davidbanks@luceoimages.com
cell: 706.296.3085
