THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

Since I'm attending The New School for interdisciplinary studies this MovieMaker magazine interview is quite fitting. Jennifer Wood interviews Annie Howell and I especially like this quote from her:

"I believe documentary is the interdisciplinary discipline. In addition to spanning academic fields—film studies, anthropology, sociology, to name a few—good documentary engages with both form and content; hopefully content that has real relevance in peoples’ lives. Documentary films allow us to experience situations, meet individuals and understand issues in a personal, emotional or intellectual way that is simply unique, and that tends to have appeal across mediums, fields of study and professions. At The New School, documentary study and practice have always thrived. Institutionally, there is an emphasis on making change in the world as well as on developing a serious art practice within a social and historical context."

I couldn't agree more with Annie Howell's assessment and it's precisely why I decided to return to study media, documentaries and advocacy, and especially why I chose The New School.

Read the Interview

4th ANNUAL GRASSROOTS MEDIA CONFERENCE

Event Date: February 24, 2007 | This year, the NYC Grassroots Media Conference seeks to ask: What are the common threads inherent in our global struggles for social change and how does the media contribute to our understanding of the root causes of injustice faced by world communities? From educating ourselves and our government leaders to spreading our messages and recruiting broader and more diverse constituencies into our campaigns, media is central to the struggle for social justice. Therefore, the fight for better access to and representation in the media is essential for advancing peace and justice both at home and abroad.

Join the 4th annual NYC Grassroots Media Conference to explore these connections and strategies, and come together to demand a media system that will link our diverse communities, connect local and international struggles, and fight for social justice across boundaries and beyond borders. Register Today.

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY—SO FAR—SNICKERS TAKES BEST AD

Ok, I'm watching the game. I don't really follow football all that closely, but this is a great game. I was reminded of the opportunity I had to buy a Romeo Britta painting of a cat 15 years ago, but Cirq de Soleil was just ok. Maybe you had to see them in person. I never realized exactly how entertaining watching grown men scrambling for a wet ball in the pouring rain could be. Downright sexy. Prince? Oh he's always great. The commercials? So far, too much violence. They lack creativity. Coke's are not bad—I wasn't all that crazy on the take-off on Grand Theft Auto, but at least they're conceptualized and well executed. The best so far? Snickers. Original!

WHAT REMAINS: THE LIFE AND WORK OF SALLY MANN

I find it so interesting to observe the things that inspire me to write and those that don't. I really love technology and the Internet and all the opportunities it offers to become inspired. Sometimes I collect on a memory in an instant, and it can be so circuitous. That’s what happened today.

I was trying to find a particular series on HBO and came upon an upcoming documentary about the photographer Sally Mann. That triggered my memory. I met Sally Mann briefly about 15 years ago when I worked at the Black Book. At the time she may have been interested in getting more work as a commercial photographer. She showed me black and white photos of kids; I believe some made with a box camera. I remember thinking her work was very original. I had met literally hundreds of photographers over the years and her work stood out. She has a unique point of view and I can’t wait to see the documentary about her work.

I Googled her and found a provocative essay that was written about a book of hers, Intimate Family and went on to read her response to the essay. This is truly a scintillating dialogue between artists and opinions. I highly recommend reading Noelle Oxenhandler’s essay, Mann’s response and watching the documentary. 15 years ago Sally Mann struck me as a pioneer for the life of an artist who pushes her way through what at one glance may be a taboo subject and on another glance a simple artistic.

I consider myself lucky in many ways. One--15 years ago, for only an hour or two, I was in the presence of what I perceived to be a pioneer, someone who I wanted to emulate as an artist. An artist who helps people make the leap to think deeply, analyze, learn and make great art. That memory and mission is still with me and going strong.

Synopsis of WHAT REMAINS: THE LIFE AND WORK OF SALLY MANN