News of Ranchos and Open Space

Leading off, there was a great article ("Conservation on a staggering scale at Tejon") in yesterday's SF Chronicle about Tejon Ranch, near Grapevine (Southern California), and the inking of a deal to save more than 240,000 acres (that's eight times the size of San Francisco!) and preserve it as open space in perpetuity. This is largest single acquisition of public land in California history, and a great environmental, ecological, and conservation achievement. Read all about it here.

Lynch Canyon image by Tim Baskerville

On a somewhat less "staggering scale" - this weekend marks the anniversary of Lynch Canyon's usage as a public Open Space. Owned by the Solano Land Trust and operated with partner, the Solano County Parks Department, this 1,000 acre site is home to an amazing variety of wildlife, including grazing cattle (the site's historical usage). Read more about the weekend's festivities here.

Photo of Rush Ranch Nature Center by Tim Baskerville

And, next weekend (Saturday, May 17) The Nocturnes offer a special one-night Night Photography Workshop at another Solano Land Trust property - the 2,070 acre Rush Ranch Open Space, out by Grizzly Island on the Suisun Marsh. This is a benefit for the Rush Ranch Educational Council - read more about Rush Ranch and the Solano Land Trust here - and The Nocturnes Full Moon NPy Workshop here. There are still a few spots open for the 'shop!

Now, back away from the computer - and, just get out there . . .

"Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above,
Don't fence me in."

"If I can make it there . . ."

Michael Kenna
New York, Mont St. Michel, Guilin, Chausey, Hokkaido
March 26 - April 26, 2008
Stephen Wirtz Gallery
49 Geary Street, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108

Flatiron Building, Study 2, New York, USA, 2003

Perhaps this image by Michael Kenna is a quiet homage to any number of unmentioned and anonymous photographers (Edward Steichen, Alfred Stieglist, Alvin Langdon Coburn, Karl Struss, etc. - come to mind, having photographed the Flatiron building from almost the same vantage point, some, a century ago) - it's that " . . . On the Shoulders of Giants" idea - perhaps not. The show also includes work done in Japan, China, Mont St. Michel and other parts of France, and yet it is the New York work that I think is a bit of a departure for Mr. Kenna. This is one of the quieter images - for a more ferocious night photograph, see the next one, below - whimsically titled: "Mary Poppins Over Midtown, New York, New York, USA, 2006."

The Artist Reception is Thursday, April 3, 2008 from 5:30 to 7:30, and yes, Mr. Kenna will be in attendance, as will some of The Nocturnes, we're sure.

BTW, when you stop by the gallery, say hello to Wirtz staffer Julie Casemore (a former neighbor of ours - before we deserted the City - and tell her "The Nocturnes sent you."

BTW2, Michael Kenna has agreed to contribute to the traveling exhibition, "Darkness, Darkness" (see post below) - more details to follow!

("These little town blues, are melting away . . . ")

Darkness, Darkness

"Darkness, darkness, be my pillow,
Take my hand, and let me sleep.
In the coolness of your shadow,
In the silence of your deep."
(Darkness, Darkness lyrics by Jesse Colin Young)

Nightscape 1, 9:43pm by Mark Jaremko

Well, it looks like Andy Frazer and Joe Reifer have "scooped" me again. That's really okay tho - all three of us ("the NPy Bloggers") are in the "Darkness, Darkness" exhibit (along with fellow Nocturnes instructors Mark Jaremko, Lance Keimig and Tom Paiva, as well as Alumni Suzanne Friedrich) opening back at Three Columns Gallery at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. and we're nothing if not a laissez-faire-type community. The show runs from March 18 through April 30, with an opening reception March 19, at5:30pm.

Described as "An Exhibit of Contemporary American Night Photography," it includes work by NPy pioneers Steve Harper and Arthur Ollman, as well as Troy Paiva of LostAmerica.com, and other illuminaries of the NPy world.

Get all the details here. Also, have a look at the "Resources" of the D2 site - lots of "nocturnal fodder" there!

(From the desk of The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man)

Is there anybody out there . . . ? (still)

Calling all Nocturnes! Well, it's that time again! - For our 15th AlumNight (now a semi-annual) event, sponsored by The Nocturnes NPy Web site, at a "secure undisclosed location" in the SF Bay Area, on March 22nd.

We have a number of announcements to make, much to talk about, and work (from you!) to see. All this, and a few more surprises - should be a another great AlumNight! So-o-o, if you're an Alum, be sure bring your latest work, promo pieces, 'leave behinds,' and just news of what's goin' on in your photo-life!

We are posting this notice here to catch a few of our "fair-weather Nocturnes," whose email addresses may have changed since our last event - in the hope they'll catch the news here!

If you're alumni, and for some reason have NOT rec'd email re: this event - please contact us (you know where to find us . . . ) re: the details for AlumNight. Or, if you know of an Alum who fits this category, give them a buzz, won't you?

Hope . . .

In case you haven't heard, the film "Once" ("The little film that could") won the Oscar for Original Song for "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Much deserved award, very moving acceptance comments by both artists, and Jon Stewart's "call back" of Markéta was brilliant!. For those who weren't able to view the show - here, thru the miracle of YouTube are the clips!

ACCEPTANCE



PERFORMANCE




("Make art. Make art.")

Simply titled "Nocturnes"

Waiting at the Crossing, Lincoln, NE 1993 by Chris Faust

Having seen the panoramic night work (done with a rare Cirkut rotational panorama camera) of Chris Faust previously, I was curious to see just what format his new book would take. I am pleased to announce that the review copy I recently received from the Univ. of Minnesota Press is a beautifully designed 9x15 (Horizontal) monograph, with an introduction by Joan Rothfuss of the Walker Art Center. Chris braves the rough Minnesota winters to photograph scenes that recall Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Hopper (our favorite NPr who did not use a camera) - with a little bit of 'snow-noir' thrown in for good measure.

One of our favorite soundbites, from the Photographer's Notes in the book, where Chris makes the point: "To make a photograph is still magical and soulful, very much like making Music."

The book is simply titled "Nocturnes" (catchy, no?) and is available thru The Nocturnes link to Amazon

(Like music to our ears . . . )

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme . . .

One of the most graceful, fluid examples of time/motion study I've seen in a long while can be viewed at Jeff Hillhouse's photography site. This particlular image really struck me - no title (at least it's not noted on his site), no indicator of how it was accomplished either - just light, color, cloud movement, and time. And, just look at the scale of that landscape!

BONUS POINTS - if you can figure out how this image was accomplished BEFORE you click over to Jeff's Web site. BTW, Jeff's site (as well as the work by 100+ other NPrs) is now linked, pretty handily, on The Nocturnes site - at O. Winston Links!

(from The Nocturnes Network Detective)

Waiting for Bono

Continuing with the 'eyebrow thing'- this clever little piece (available thru the efforts of eyebrowy.com!) features St. Glen Hansard and an amazing sound-likeness of Bono. Hansard, of course is one of the stars (along with Markéta Irglová - all of a worldly 17 at the time the film was made) of the runaway indie hit/music film "Once." Just released as a DVD right before Christmas - if you haven't already done so, see this movie!



(“Nothing happens, nobody comes, nobody goes, it’s awful.”)