Picture of the Week #122 "Delicious"

Picture of the Week # 122 "Delicious" Venice, Italy 2011 Signed and Stamped

I have been obsessed with the costumes from this years Carnivale in Venice. I am working on a major series of life size cut outs that I am printing on Cintra, an archival plastic. My goal is to have maybe 20 or 30 of them standing around. Collectors, Museums and Gallerists can place them as they like as they are still editioned photographs. I am printing some only 4 feet high so they can be hung on walls like traditional pictures. These are somewhere between photography and sculpture. The Carnivale as an event is the great equalizer. You don't know who is rich or poor, pretty or ugly, man or woman, black or white. The revelers can pretend to be someone they are not. We as spectators can appreciate them. It's an extraordinary event and one that I will cherish.

Calamity Into Art

Calamity Into Art - On Sunday March 21st it poured. Ann & I were watching TV upstairs in my studio when I went down to the kitchen for something and was shocked to see that a piece of our living room ceiling had come down. I called for her to see. She let out a startled "OMG". I called our terrific roofer Rene Manzano who said he would be there first thing Monday morning. And sure enough he came with a helper. They went all over the roof but found no broken tiles. So they caulked where the flashing met the wall and said when it dries out to have our painter do it again, just to make sure. So, for the rest of Monday we lived with the hole, but it bugged me. So I took one of my life size cut outs of a nude and the first thing Tuesday I hung her from the ceiling thereby transforming a negative into a positive.

Picture of the Week #121 "WOW"

Picture of the Week #121 "WOW" Venice, Italy 2011 Signed and Stamped

When I confronted this masked woman at this years' Carnivale, all I could say was "WOW". Her dress matched the mask and as she sashayed through St. Mark's Square, everyone was in awe. Amongst the many fabulous costumes that adorned this year's fabulous masquerade, this was a true stand out.

Cardinal Spellman on St. Patrick's Day 1965

When I took this picture in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral of Cardinal Spellman and the entire Archdiocese of the City of New York in 1965 , Senator Robert F Kennedy was standing along side me. We joined the Cardinal and Carmine De Sapio the deposed Tammany Hall leader for a group shot that I posted earlier. A Politican, a Clergyman and a deposed Convicted Criminal, all together. Happy St. Patrick's Day.

RARE! Photo of Kennedy, Cardinal Spellman & Carmine De Sapio

It was 46 years ago today that I took this photo of Senator Robert F Kennedy, Cardinal Spellman and Carmine De Sapio in front of St. Patricks Cathedral in New York to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

Picture of the Week #120 "Let Them Eat Cake"

Picture of the Week #120 "Let Them Eat Cake" Venice, Italy 2011 Signed and Stamped

At this years Carnivale wherever I looked there was another extraordinary outfit. I wondered why someone would go to the enormous trouble of walking around all day and posing for tourists who just shove their little point and shoot cameras in their face. But thankfully they did do it, and I for one took enormous advantage. I became very aggressive in fulfilling my goal of shooting full figure shots for my Life Sized Cut Outs that I plan on exhibiting later in the year. "Marie Antoinette" above was mingling through the hoards in St. Marks Square for days. Luckily, I was smart enough to apply for a Press Pass before I left so I was able to get right on the stage. I was amazed that it was granted as I have absolutely no affiliation with a newspaper or TV station or magazine. I had complete freedom and did not have to be squished in the crowd to get my desired images. The entire event was pure joy, and something I will never forget.

Picture of the Week #119 "All Together Now"

Picture of the Week #119 "All Together Now" Venice, Italy 2011 Signed and Stamped

If I had a "Bucket List" the Venice Carnivale would have to be on it. I had been feeling terribly for weeks and truly thought that I better go now before I was unable. I had been aching and feeling like I was going to come down with something but never did. I also had stomach aches and kept visualizing that I had a blockage, plus my stomach was really extended even though I ate very little. The problem was what I did eat was nutritionally corrupt. Potato Chips, chocolate, tons of butter and in general - crap. My beautiful wife Ann said that I should go as she knew when I go to take pictures I become consumed and it would take my mind off of the aches and pains. She preferred to stay home and work on her writings. Literally as I was about to board the plane when she called me to tell me my Doctor had called and that my cholesterol had skyrocketed and he wanted me to take a double dose of medicine. I made a decision that I would put that off till I came home but that I would behave myself and not gorge on junk food. I focused on fish and salads and sure enough in a few days I felt rejuvenated. I'm incredibly disciplined. Taking pictures and a change in diet saved me. The Carnivale was the most joyous event I had ever attended. People were friendly and posed graciously. And although crowded, the weather shined on us and everything just fell into place. It was in one word - FANTASTIC.