James Walker's Photo-media Takes Nothing for Granted

Information, descriptions and some beautiful sentences derived from a press release, courtesy of Shane Pomajambo and the folks at Art Whino.
Art by James Walker...of course.

First things, first, here's the low-down dirty...

WHAT:  The Art of James Walker
WHEN:  Friday, June 5th, from 6pm – Midnight
WHERE:  National Harbor, 173 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745
HOW MUCH:  The event is FREE and open to the public.
AND IF I CAN'T MAKE IT?:  Show runs until July 3rd.

Next Friday, June 5th, from 6 pm to Midnight, all are invited to celebrate the opening of The Art of James Walker. A local artist and photojournalist, his works are described as insightful and honest, reflecting on the current moment and fleeting nature of time. 

This exhibition does not just feature photography but also paintings, books, collage works all blending together as a collection of moments, insights and ideas that evolve from Walker’s constant documentation of the world around him. He describes his work as focused on the ideas of living in the present moment and never taking anything for granted.

Walker’s works strike a deeply personal chord
leaving viewers both lost in the moment
and somehow more aware of the present at the same time.

James Walker’s Artist Statement:
…..I never made a conscious decision to become an artist, it’s something I’ve always done for as long as I can remember, I make pictures and draw and paint and collage debris and objects as intuitively as possible and I’ve never specialized in anything except making the best art that I can and I don’t often think of myself as an artist but more of a sociologist or philosopher…..my background is in photojournalism and I take a documentary approach to everything I do with my work and I feel that my most successful images are ones that develop as a natural extension of existing

….all of my amalgamations are nothing more than a feverish attempt to create some sort of semi-tangible cohesion out of everyday experiences through obsessive collection of imagery and stories and adventures that I compile as the proof of life lived to bring a general awareness that every second exists for just that and at the same time facilitating this idea the only way I can, through my artwork, all of it being the cliff notes to my inclusion in this maelstrom of existence, examining the fact that everything is in a constant state of fluctuation, deterioration, and reconstruction, never lasting more than two blinks of an eye which may be why humans invented the concept of measuring time while we fruitlessly strive to sustain and avoid any contact with the inevitable thermodynamic deconstruction of our selves and everything we see as real and I’m enamored with the idea that everything is beautifully entropic and nothing will ever retain, permanently, its current physical form,

which is why I try be mindful of the present moment, the only thing that is not simulacra, without which we would have neither the future nor the past (both of which carry significance only as stubborn illusions), and with the realization that the present moment is the only thing that truly exists I gather information and juxtapose found treasures all decomposing and beautifully dancing in wonderful objectification with images in various states of archival-ness (frequently subconsciously depicting all too clearly our own frailty taken for granted) and I am helping to organize an introspection and focus that is easily lost in the cellularphonic espresso-paced world that I am also contently enveloped in, intensifying awareness of the swirling cacophony and freneticism of it all and all of the feelings and emotions colliding, and as I work I just let the chaos flow without judgment, acknowledging its existence as neither good nor bad, just that it is there, with hopes of creating nothing that is stale but instead just as alive as the subjects it depicts...

May Events & A Call For Contributors...



Pictured from left to right: ROW 1--Erika Horn, Christopher Chen, Random-Guy-Who-Pops-Up-In-My-Shots-At-Various-Events; ROW 2--Betsy Spruill Clarke, DC Shot List yo!, Adam Clarke; ROW 3--Dakota Fine, Random-Guy-Again-Seriously-Who-Is-This-Dude?, and Martin Locraft.

A Couple of Hot Shots, if You Will

Well, these aren't the only events for this month, so I will keep this updated throughout this month.  But I wanted to get this out, ASAP, so you know where to find the best eye candy!

Before I share the goods, I want to call out for contributors.  If you are interested in covering any one of these events for DC Shot List, please shoot me an email!  I want to talk to you, today.  foto.maven@gmail.com

Okay, now, mark your calendars...

Wednesday
May 6
6:30pm - 9:00pm

Critical Exposure's "Through the Lens of D.C. Youth" Photography Exhibit
Host: Critical Exposure

Where: ARTiculate Gallery, 1100 16th St. NW (16th & L), Washington, DC

Who: For the past year, D.C. youth and young adults have been given cameras, workshops in documentary photography, and the opportunity to record the causes, consequences and solutions to the dropout crisis in D.C. public schools.

Why: Because D.C.’s dropout rate is too high to ignore--nearly 50%, a number that has serious implications for both the youth themselves and the community as a whole.  Also, there will be:
-Great Photos – See powerful photos & writing by local students, and get the chance to talk to them about their work.
-Food & Drink – Make a donation of $35+ and enjoy free wine, beer and food.
-A Good Cause – All proceeds will support Critical Exposure, a D.C.-based nonprofit that teaches students how to use documentary photography and their own voices to advocate for school reform and social change.

Suggested Donations:
$35 Snapshooter: Cost of a 35-mm point-and-shoot camera.
$75 Shutterbug: Cost of exhibiting two students' photographs.
$150 Photo Pro: Cost of providing one student with a digital camera.
$500 Photojournalist: Cost of 1,000 photo postcards to send to policymakers.

Info: +1.202.745.3745 or info@criticalexposure.org or www.criticalexposure.org

Above right photo by Jaime Windon.
 

Friday
May 8
7:00pm - 10:00pm

The New Color
An exhibition of Corcoran photography majors
Host: Civilian Art Projects

Where: 87FLORIDA at 87 Florida Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

Who:  Featuring Corcoran photography majors: Jake Dingman, Carrie Greenwood, William Knipscher, Caitlin Lennon, Collin Sundt, Michelle Yo

Why:  Because new speaks to you!  As Andy Grundberg writes in the foreword to the exhibition’s catalog, “every generation has the opportunity to create new art that speaks to its particular moment in history and culture.” The New Color displays six artists’ take on that moment as seen through the rich possibilities of light recorded on color film – a rapidly disappearing discipline in the digital era.

Info: +1.202.347.0022 or info@civilianartprojects.com or www.civilianartprojects.com

Above right photo:  "Undiscovered 4," by Collin Sundt 

Inked Souls Closing and B-Boy Battle
Host: Art Whino Gallery

When: Saturday, May 9, 2009; 6:00pm - 11:55pm 

Where: Art Whino, 2450 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA

Who: DJ Fleg in the house plus featured Photographers: Lady Glock, Michael Colon, James Walker , Roger Snider

Why:  Because you feel jipped on the 3rd sequel to "Breakin," or lack thereof, and you want to come out and see Breakers Battle 3 versus 3 for a $600 in Cash and Prizes.

Info: info@artwhino.com or www.artwhino.com

So Grab the Camera or Go Get Some!

Photograph by Claire Bouleau

Well, to be honest with you, most of my weekend will be spent with my husband as we continue to revamp the house, HOWEVER, there are some great things going on and I will be sure to break and go check them out.

You may remember that Adam and I had a bit of trouble getting to Photo Graffiti at Zone Zero before my photo shoot at Hudson, a couple weekends ago.  Well, tomorrow, I plan on seeing both the artist, Claire Bouleau and one of the partners of Zone Zero, Jean-Louis Atlan.  I will be toting my camera, in hopes of getting a quick shot of them and my notepad for any tidbits that I can share.

In addition to this, Inked Souls, will be on tomorrow night and if we have made enough headway on the house, you can bet that we will be there! 

from their announcement:  "Art Whino is teaming up with the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) and Tagür sneaker company to bring you an incredible exhibition of one-of-a-kind, customized sneakers, paintings, and photography.

"Each artist will feature one pair of customized AKA Blank Tagür sneakers along with a painting.

"Four photographers will be featured whose subject matter rangers from 80's Breakers to customized semi trucks."

Um, did you say 80's Breakers photography?  Yeah, we're so there!

Anyway, the featured photographers of this exhibit will be Lady Glock, Michael Colon, James Walker and Roger Snider.

So, whether you've made plans or not, you best be squeezing these events into your daytimer...that is if you care what you expose your eyes to...if you really, really, care...

;)