Picture of the Week #396 "To Have and Have Not" Beverly Hills, / Santa Monica California 2011 Signed & Stamped

I had a walkthrough this past Saturday of my "MAO to NOW" exhibit at the Fowler Museum for the esteemed members of PAC - The Photographic Arts Council. The members are all collectors, Museum officials, photographers etc. A very exclusive group that I was honored to show to and stoked that I was so wonderfully accepted for my work. I thought today that I should not just post an image but one that will say something, even as in this case something sad about our country and it's polarization. Yes, it really was two images that I brought together, but the overall statement is undeniably true. We have become a divided nation as we no longer have a common enemy.

Picture of the Week #395 "Moscow March" Moscow, Russia 1988 Signed & Stamped

This was taken when I was invited to Russia for the first Soviet / American film Interchange along with celebrities and film makers. I was more interested in taking pictures than showing my films. I had a ball except for some nervous moments when my then live in girl friend decided to see if she could score some grass. Remember it's 1988 and it's Russia. So she put on a white fox coat and marched her 5 foot 10 inch frame into Gorky Park and sure enough she scored. She brought it back to our room where we instantly became the most popular destination of our celebrity contingent. I was not happy and kept thinking that this could land us years in the Gulag. But even though I believed our room was bugged we were not exposed to the indignities of being arrested. Whew! This image was one of my favorites as it brings back so many memories.

Picture of the Week #394 "Rabbit Fever"  Los Angeles, California 2016 Signed & Stamped

Downtown L.A. in the financial district was this extraordinary exhibition of blow up Rabbits that glowed from within by an Australian woman artist. Sadly I didn't get her name. Last Friday was the last day before they moved on to another location. Ann and I had seen the blow up Duck in Beijing that was touring the world and I posted it as my Picture of the Week #310 back in November 2014.  

I am almost positive that it was done by another artist. Anyway, on our way downtown I was feeling miserable from the meds that I have been taking as well as not sleeping. I wasn't sure I'd make it. But when we sat down and had a drink and the the Rabbit near us suddenly lit up I felt better. Perhaps it was a sign. Anyway, I've been feeling good since. It's only Monday and who knows how I will progress. Aside from that, I couldn't pick just one image and as rabbits are known to reproduce quickly I thought that I should show you some of the different sculptures this artist had on exhibit. 

Picture of the Week #393 "Building Blocks" Shanghai, China 2015 Signed & Stamped

Riding in a taxi on my way back to the hotel I noticed this building. Even though most of my photos are of people I couldn't help myself as this was so geometric and unusual. At least to my Western eyes. Shanghai has extraordinary architecture and yes the thought did cross my mind to go around the city and photograph the architecture, but time wouldn't allow it. At least on this trip. Perhaps when I return and I sure hope I do, that will be on my assignment list.