Portraits by Magnum

Magnum studio at Public Market

Magnum Photo’s latest photography adventure, Postcards from America has landed several of their  photographers  in Rochester, NY.

The latest installment is called House of Pictures, a wonderful project involving 10 Magnum members working individually and sometimes chaotically to “document” some of Rochester’s more endearing characters and landmarks.  This two week project, April 15-29, 2012 operates out of the Visual Studies Workshop which serves as studio and operation hub for these daily visual escapades.  This joint venture brings together three  photographic institutions; the Visual Studies Workshop, RIT and George Eastman House and utilizes an army of students and assistants that drive and scout locations around Rochester. For the latest images check out: http://postcardsfromamerica.tumblr.com/

Part of this project included a stop at the Rochester Public Market where three tents were joined to create a impromptu studio.  Those brave enough to fight the typical rainy and cold Rochester weather will be rewarded with a free portrait.  My desire to have to have Alec Soth and Bruce Gilden take my portrait was not to be dampened.  I was there bright and early.

Alec Soth at work

The intimate nature of studio allowed people to see these masters at work.   It is just a really exciting opportunity to rub elbows with photographers like Matin Parr, Larry Towell, Susan Meiselas, Donovan Wylie, and Jim Goldberg.  It also afforded me the opportunity to take portraits of my own.

This event culminates in a pop up exhibit at a local warehouse near the public market  Saturday April 28th, an all day affair with a mid day  interlude at the GEH.   I will be at the warehouse first thing to collect my portrait and hope to capture some more of my own event documents and portraits.

pixels and the picturesque at Nina Freudenheim

I love going to the Nina Freudenheim gallery in Buffalo, NY. A great Saturday night getaway, that can include stops at the Albright-Knox and dinner at Duff’s, Left Bank, or Tempo. The lure of these ventures stems from seeing new works from her cache of contemporary artists in an intimate space. These gatherings are special to me because I have worked with and know many of the artists personally.

The most recent exhibition features Jonathan Lewis and renowned landscape photographer John Pfahl. I know Jonathan Lewis and am lucky to own two of his early pieces. Since he currently resides in London, he requested that I capture some good installation photos from the opening. This task proved almost as difficult as getting a table at Brodo earlier that evening. The gallery was crowded, and although the patrons were enjoying the art they were in my way. While waiting for that perfect shot, at least I was pleasantly distracted by the wonderful images.

Freudenheim never disappoints and this exhibition perfectly blends generations, mediums, and styles to create a provocative exhibition. Pfahl’s work uses photographs of classical landscape photographs to evoke the picturesque, further enhanced through the paper and ink choices. Pfahl laces these painterly like images with strategic digital watermarks, small areas of pixels that successfully bring the viewer into the digital age. Whereas Lewis, a young, shall we say digital artist, who manipulates his photographs to the point where the pixels becomes a subject in itself. This juxtaposition of Lewis’s pixel as art and Pfahl’s pixel as marker is refreshing. Now if only people would move to the right.

As I moved between people into the final room, I was drawn into the color and beauty of Lewis’s latest work the “Designer Labels.” He photographs high end fashion window displays at night, and chooses a precise area to digitally abstract with pixels. The resulting patterns leads the viewer to new ideas about fashion by transforming the fashion into color shapes that create a common ground, but provide a subtle critique of these shops. The night imagery is both provocative and eerie, you find yourself stealing a glance, becoming the voyeur into a world we may not ever know.

Lewis and others might never know the beauty of this world either, if some people don’t move. I already have several great installations shots, but my SONY NEX has a panoramic feature that I have not yet used. So, as I try to avoid talking again with the same gallery goer who can’t even spell Gursky; I lurk and pace to the slight annoyance of my friend, because we’re both anticipating after party drinks. Alas, the crowd begins to thin, allowing me to capture my own pixels and picturesque panoramic.

Brodo in Buffalo is half empty

Brodo is an eclectic little eatery in Buffalo, NY that offers a variety of  culinary choices to satisfy almost any appetite, including delicious soups that are offered as a flight.  You can imagine my excitement about  ordering  what I want the way I want.

I have enjoyed several satisfying meals here before and was hoping for a similar experience with my friend.  We were on our way to an art opening at Nina Freudenheim Gallery, so just a quick bite.   When we entered into an empty dining room my anticipation grew because I could pick the perfect table.

As I was savoring the the cool modern décor balanced by rich warm colors, bright paintings.  My dreamlike state was rudely interrupted with a curt “do you have a reservation?” We chuckled, because we were staring directly at an empty dining room, but the hostess insisted they were full with impending reservations. Dismayed with the awkwardness of the situation, I inquired if we could dine at the bar, a dismissive “yes.” We felt like poor Julia “Vivian” Roberts in that classic scene from  Pretty Woman when no one would help her.  However, someone forgot to remind the snooty hostess that this is Buffalo, NY, not Rodeo Drive.

As we made our way to the inviting, but also empty bar, we were enthusiastically greeted by the bartender Brian.  He gave us a gracious smile, menus, and  news that drinks were 2-1 before 7.

It took a minute to get settled, as the sleek, but “tall” metallic bar featured stools  with worn saggy cushions.  Not to be discouraged, a well folded jacket  allowed enough propping for her to enjoy the nicely  appointed and well lit ambiance.   From our perch we enjoyed the aromas of soup and meals for the impending reservations.  Alas, our drinks and food ordered, it was time to drink, chat and people watch.

Brian the Bartender

Brian was busy, but engaging and attentive. He quickly won me over when he asked if I wanted new ice for my next drink.  “Definitely not!”  Having been in the service industry for over twenty years, I can quickly identify the difference between a “drink getter” and a  bartender. The latter, clearly acknowledging the importance of ice marinating in good liquor.  It  is that pivotal moment when the ice is melted slightly and blends perfectly with the remaining scotch…mmmmm.

The kitchen seemed to sense this climatic  moment because our food began to arrive. First, the always delicious soup flight, consisting tonight of French Onion, Tomato Basil, and  Sausage Tomato Farfalle.

The soup arrived with the arugula and field green salad with perfectly  encrusted baked goat cheese with a light but tasty dressing.  The appetizer pan seared scallops with saffron risotto was perfect size for sharing, but was flavored with too much pesto, why do the chefs always take such liberties with such delicate and delicious food.  My entree pasta was a version of a soup, spicy  sausage, farfalle, white beans, tomatoes… and oh my garlic was it good.

As the meal finished, plates empty, drinks deliciously marinating, the  glass 1/2 empty or 1/2 full question stuck me as a perfect for the metaphor for the evening.  While we saw the dining room as empty,  our hostess saw it as full.  So as we leave for the gallery opening, multiple tables remained open, but our desire to return was only half full.

Ambiance:    3/4

Service:         3/4

Food:              3/4

Memorablity: 0/1

Total              9/13

Tuna Tartare Treat, Mercer Kitchen

tuna spring roll at mercer kitchen

Mercer Kitchen, NYC

Next time you are in NYC, you must go to the Mercer Kitchen for lunch, dinner, sushi, or a drink.   On a recent rainy spring day in Soho, it struck me that I had never eaten at the Mercer.  It was a welcome relief to leave the cold drizzle, and walk through the heavy door and curtains to be greeted with the pleasant aroma of excellence. The main dining area is downstairs; it is spacious, but cozy and reeks of contemporary architecture  and rustic cool.  It features exposed brick, solid glass windows where you could see the people strolling above, glass staircase, different dining sections, and cool restrooms. I was surprised by the round wooden table and stools appeared low, but were extremely sturdy, comfortable and most importantly, spaced properly.

It was just so pleasant, I did not even mind waiting for our server.  They had a fantastic cocktail menu, and OMG the menu…I wanted like 4 things, but decided on a burger, yes, I know, you can get anywhere.  Or so one would think, because the Mercer burger was a cavalcade, an onslaught of flavor that left me savoring every bite, wanting it to never end…who knew.  I think the closest rival for me would be either the Gatehouse or Good Luck in Rochester, NY.  It was all just set off by the atmosphere, drinks, and leisurely nature of a place that at 3 PM is still packed.

goat cheese and beet salad at Mercer Kitchen

It began with the fantastic cocktails, the amazing beet salad, the out of this world fried tuna spring roll: wow!  And ended with my Mercer burger and a halibut so moist and flavorful that I just sat there in a stupor. More drinks, please! I took several pictures of the food and décor; because I wanted to share this experience and masterful dishes.

A few weeks later I still desire a return visit, everything was so wonderful from the people at the next table to the waiter, who actually escorted me to the restroom, to the amazing cherry blossom display: that is memorable!  Everything was just so well done, merci beaucoup, Jean-Georges.

Service                                     4/4

Food                                         4/4

Ambiance                                  4/4

Memorability                             1/1

Total                                       13/13

David Bruce has Left the Bank

Left Bank, Buffalo, NY

Buffalo, NY has a plethora of wonderful places to visit and eat.  This get-away involved a gallery opening at Nina Freudenheim, drinks and then dinner at Left Bank.  To be honest previous trips here found the food good, but service lacking, so much so that I was hesitant to return.  However, I was swayed because the menu offers unique contemporary cuisine creations. It is a quaint little place with white table clothes and is usually bustling during and after the dinner hour with a hip crowd mingling at the bar listening to music with a nice mix of candlelight and lights.

The waitress quelled my concerns with her sweet and professional demeanor, answering questions and making suggestions. The cuisine was visually stunning with dishes like the Ahi tuna “tartare,” scallops, and beet salad that were truly tasty. 

As you know, beet salads can be all over the place, but this one offered nice portions of beets and high quality goat cheese drizzled with a wonderful balsamic dressing.  It even rivaled the one at Mercer Kitchen.  The layered artichoke and caprese style stack was big and delicious, so when the shrimp pasta special arrived I began to regret having so many starters because I wanted to savor this dish with it’s light cream sauce that I am still thinking about.

Dinner was marred slightly by the glaring absence of the David Bruce Pinot Noir, which was one reason for the visit.  The waitress informed us that the online wine list has not been updated for five years. I guess the $30 price should have been a clue. It seemed the dessert menu was suffering the same fate because only three of six were available.

This perfectly pleasant visit included provocative presentation, satisfactory service, and most importantly, left a distinct desire to drive and dine here again. I must also say that we did not have to ask for anything, fresh ground pepper was offered, dishes were cleared, bread came with plates, silverware was replaced, and wine was properly presented.  I look forward to my next visit to indulge further with more bourgeois and peasant fare from the Left Bank.

Service                               3.25/4

Food                                         4/4

Ambiance                           3.75/4

Memorability                          .5/1

Total                                     11.5/13

waiting for my salmon, Godot.

Images Lounge

Images Lounge located in the Airport Marriott, is a rare find for Rochester.  It is one of the best hotel bars in the area because the excellent food is served in a stylish relaxed atmosphere. There is extensive seating and cozy bar area; it is perfect for a date, quick snack or just drinks while watching a game in front of fireplace.

You can order food off the lounge or more upscale E.J.’s restaurant menu.  The entrees are sometimes difficult to enjoy because coffee tables are the only eating surface. So, one night we decided to eat in the restaurant.

This decision proved entertaining and disappointing.  The specials were rattled off so quickly that we were unsure of her name, the specials or the urgency, but we ordered appetizers and wine.  When the wine did arrive, after the first course, it was already open.  Odd, I know, but not as surprising as when a phone rings, and she answers it.  We learned it was room service, but really.

Ignorance was bliss for this server because she was constantly distracted, and at no time did we feel relaxed or assured that our experience would turn out ok.  I believe her absence was in part due to some ordeal over split checks on the other side of dining room. I know this because the music was barely audible.  Thus forcing you to unwillingly learn more about the other tables desire to split the check than getting your wine in a timely manner, or knowing what the specials were.

In effort to escape the private conversations of others I escape to restroom, and hope that food will be served in my absence. My prophecy came true, but with a twist. When I returned food was served, but my entrée was nowhere to be found.  Apparently they decided it would get “cold,” and returned it to the kitchen; I love my salmon sitting under a heat lamp.  As you foodies know this extra time will push fish over the edge.  I was nearing the edge because she and my salmon were missing.  So I just tried to enjoy my chardonnay while waiting, waiting, I tend to be waiting a lot.

Well Godot, the salmon arrived and it was enjoyable.  At least it was, until when nearly done with entrees the waitress returns with desert menu in hand to ask if we were finished.  We politely indicated still working, etc…but she left menus on table anyway.  I guess she had to call Godot, back and let him know room service was on its way.  I hope when he arrives, he can improve her service style.

Ambiance                  3/4

Service                    2.5/4

Food                        3.5/4

Memoralibitly           0/1

Total                       9.5/13

Strawberry bowls forever

Today I hit the mother load for my layered & pressed ceramics collection.  I went to an estate sale here in Rochester, NY where I found nine beautiful, organic, and even crazy looking ceramic bowls.

These finds are rare, and far between because  people usually discard these forgotten gems Pieces that their children created with love, but they end up in various  VOA’s, garage sales, Salvation Armies or just thrown away.

With these bowls, I create  mini collections, by type, size and signature.   It is so nice to have two, if not more, pieces by same person.  I don’t know who Peter Shulman is, but he sure liked to sign his name.

Doesn’t everyone desire a vase that resembles a strawberry?

The really more and rough organic ones were Shulman’s and he marked each one on the bottom with three dots.  These pictures were taken with my new I-phone 4 that I love; it takes great photographs.