VETERANS

U.S. Army Soldiers - Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge LA 2008

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

Many of our military veterans, whose day we celebrate today, walk among us having served to protect our lives and land.

There are many more who have given their lives for us.

And to all of them, I say thank you!

SUPPORT

Retaining Wall, Baton Rouge LA 2009

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

In an unusual display of bipartisan support, Louisiana’s two U.S. Senators are backing a measure to extend the GO ZONE tax incentives for another two years for the parishes hardest hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Sen. Landrieu , a Democrat , is joining Sen. Vitter, a Republican , in sponsoring the bill which provides tax credits for low-income housing and historic rehab. projects.

The two Louisiana senators often vote against each other, thus canceling out a voice for all Louisianans.

new New Orleans

Old next to New Construction - Lakeview, New Orleans LA 2009
New Construction - Lakeview, New Orleans LA 2009
Construction Site - Lakeview , New Orleans LA 2009

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

Reflecting on Style

Driveway Mirror, L.A. CA 2009 from Cali Days

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

There is no doubt that the architectural style of housing in New Orleans is evolving as a result of rebuilding after Katrina. I have periodically driven around the city over the last four years, looking and watching.

Yesterday , in Lakeview, I found styles ranging from Spanish, Tudor , Modern-Minimalist , Colonial and what I call “Raised – Four Plex”. “Raised” is also a whole new sub-category applicable to all styles.

It’s the new New Orleans.

For the Birds

Birds and Boy, Pensacola FL 2009

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

New Orleans city council president Arnie Fielkow, this morning , condemned the recent remarks made on a college tv station by former city recovery czar Dr. Ed Blakely.

Reportedly, Blakely characterized New Orleanians as lazy and racist. Blakely went on to predict New Orleans will not exist in 100 years. He also forecast race riots in the near future for the city, saying that "everyone's a racist" in New Orleans.

Complete story:

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/11/fielkow_ed_blakelys_comments_o.html

ENVISION

The Vision, Miami Beach FL 2005 from South Beach Sampler

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

It is hard to envision a hurricane season without a single named storm hitting the Gulf of Mexico!

HERB & DOROTHY

Elderly Couple at Bus Stop, Miami Beach FL 2005 from South Beach Sampler

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

“Thank God they were greedy”, Lynda Benglis.

In the 1960’s , a librarian and her husband , a postal worker began collecting art on a very modest budget.

I wish there were many more of them, but their story has been told in a movie – “Herb & Dorothy”.

More info:

www.indiewire.com/film/herb_dorothy/

LIMP LEADERSHIP

Large Cactus, L.A. CA 2009 from CALI DAYS

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

The New York Times today featured an article about the upcoming New Orleans mayoral election , which describes a field of few strong (declared) candidates.

Full story:

www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/us/29orleans.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

SPEED DIAL

Wires and Clouds, New Orleans LA 2004 from Wired Sky

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

The world is a shrinking and everyone is on speed dial or one click away!

Yesterday , in the newspaper, appeared an Afghanistan war photograph by AP photographer David Guttenfelder. It was an amazing picture of two American soldiers firing a mortar from what looked like a courtyard at dusk. The photograph struck me in so many ways, and it was strangely beautiful, poetic. I felt bad for looking at this picture and having these thoughts? It’s a war! American soldiers are risking their lives, dying for a cause.

I did a quick search and found an email address for David. I sent off a short note and in less than six hours, he had replied thanking me for some kind words.

The world is shrinking and I wish we could all get along.

HEMPHILL FINE ART

APPLE TAG on Tree, New Orleans LA 1994 from Terra Flora

25" x 30" Lightjet photograph in an edition of 10 examples.

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

Economy of Scale

Nov. 7 – Dec. 23, 2009

Reception

Wednesday, November 11, from 6:30–8:30pm


HEMPHILL Fine Arts
1515 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
202.234.5601

WWW.HEMPHILLFINEARTS.COM


including works by:

David Byrne & Danielle Spencer, William Christenberry,

Robert Frank, William Greiner, Max Hirshfeld,

Sebastião Salgado, Ruth Thorne-Thomsen

A Lack of Character

Plastic Pig, Birmingham AL 2005

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

The (Mayor) “Ray Nagin Coloring Book” is now available! It’s no surprise that the Mayor of “chocolate city” has now been turned into a cartoon character in this new coloring book, produced by illustrator Karen Ocker.

By using humor, Ocker hopes to get people to think about the last 8 years C. Ray Nagin governed the city of New Orleans and what the future might hold for us without Mayor Nagin.

___

To get yours:

http://www.raynagincoloringbook.com/

10 Years and counting

The Reposed book cover

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

This month marks the 10^th anniversary of the LSU Press publication,

The Reposed.

Inspired by the great New Orleans surrealist photographer, Clarence John Laughlin, I set out to make compelling , relevant pictures of a well worn and clichéd subject – Southern Louisiana cemeteries.

The monograph comprises 62 color plates , with a foreword by the brilliant short story writer Thomas Lynch and an essay by Steven Maklansky.

A limited number of signed copies available.

PEEKING AT 6

Wood Fence, Baton Rouge LA 2009 from Lands' End

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Using data complied by the Brookings Institute, BusisnessWeek.com has ranked the nation’s 40 strongest economies.

At no. 6, experiencing a relative boom compared to most other U.S. cities is Baton Rouge!

Full story:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20091023/bs_bw/oct2009bw20091021441398

FRANKENCAMERA

George Dureau's Camera, New Orleans LA 2007

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

Affectionately being called Frankencamera , a Stanford University scientist and his assistant are developing an open-source digital camera that will revolutionize photography!

The camera will give programmers the possibility of making the camera do almost anything “in camera” !

Full story:

http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/august31/levoy-opensource-camera-090109.html

SEE RAY FLY

White Bird Mobile on Porch, New Orleans LA 1994 from HOMEFRONT series.

All reproduction rights reserved Wm. Greiner

Mayor C. Ray Nagin, his wife and four New Orleans officials , in June, took a trip to China and Australia at a cost of $28,770. At the time, C. Ray stated that the trip would be sponsored by an unnamed benefactor. Demands that the sponsor be made public forced the Mayor to change direction , saying the city would pick up the tab!

On Friday, C. Ray left New Orleans on another trip, this time to Cuba!

With no sponsor, the city and it's tax payers will also pick up this tab!