Category: Flotsam

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America’s Sweetheart: A Brief History of the Shackway Corporation


Art lovers who will be in Minneapolis on Saturday (the 24th of April, 2010) ought to visit an exhibit at Bockley Gallery, called America’s Sweetheart: A Brief History of the Shackway Corporation.  The show features 21 new works on canvas by David Sollie, and a few prints.   Mr. Sollie is apparently the “historian” of the imaginary Shackway corporation, which (he says) was founded by his fake grandfather after WWII. From this starting point an entire world has sprung into being, and the results are rich and varied.

In two decades of visiting contemporary art shows at museums and galleries around the world, I can honestly say that this is one of the best shows I’ve seen. In a larger market, it’s the sort of show everyone would want a part of. What makes it good?  There best of the pieces are just plain generous: conceptually, visually and emotionally. They give things to the viewer. Further, the work is so quintessentially American. What could be more American that inventing a fake company and turning it into a real corporation – at that, one that’s attempting to sustain itself by selling it’s fictional history?  It’s a hall of mirrors take on the American dream, but it’s how I’d want my own country characterized at the American Pavilion in Venice, at a Biennialle somewhere down the road.

A larger look into the culture of the “company” can be found at  www.quodlibetica.com and some of the works on paper are available for giveaway prices at www.shackway.com.  Canvas works are available through the Bockley Gallery. A sign in the gallery window announces “Shackway family fun day” will mark the closing of the show on Saturday.  Apparently there will be a magician and balloon twister on hand after 2:00, and live music after 5:00.

Robert Blackwell

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Alec Soth/LBM needs your help

I’m headed out West next week for a project entitled ‘The California Sleepwalker’s Treasure Hunt.‘ I have a whole bunch of stuff I’m trying to track down and could use some help. If your tip leads to a picture, you’ll receive a reward. I’m looking for specific leads you might have in California (see my route on the map below) for the following:

-Condors
-Sleepwalkers (specific individuals would be best)
-Punk hangouts
-Self-mutilation/flagellation, scarring
-Horror film (in progress….otherwise horror makeup artist)
-Star Wars iconography / Star Wars collectors
-Dolores Huerta / United Farmworkers
-Bats
-Hare Krishnas
-Metal detector enthusiasts
-Hang Gliders
-Frankenstein
-Emo’s in Tijuana or Mexicali
-anything else that fits this stream of thinking

Please leave your tips in the comments section.

Many thanks,

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Daylight Magazine | Center for Documentary Studies Photo Awards

Guest jurors include:
VINCE ALETTI, writer/critic, the New Yorker magazine;
DARIUS HIMES, editor/curator, Radius Books;
JULIE SAUL, gallery owner/director, Julie Saul Gallery;
ALEC SOTH, photographer;
HANK WILLIS THOMAS, photographer;
JAMIE WELLFORD, international photo editor, Newsweek magazine

Direct link to submit work here
Link to information / overview / contest and award details here

Online submissions accepted March 15 – May 15, 2010.

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Rabbit Books

When I was young my mother collected antiques. She specialized in antique rabbit items. She had rabbit chocolate molds, rabbit furniture for children, stuffed rabbit toys, but my favorite was a little book named: Four Little Bunnies.

While I was in Japan I met a rabbit named Goma. I am now obsessed with rabbits and photographers who make books and photographs about rabbits.

This is a beautiful rabbit photo by Rinko Kawauchi

And this is the new In Almost Every Picture 8. Its the story of Oolong a Japanese rabbit.

Does anyone know of any other good photography books about rabbits?