Our December Artist-in-Residence, Priya Kambli, has arrived just in time for the first major snowfall of the year in Syracuse. Good thing that Priya plans on spending most of her time indoors at Community Darkrooms making multiple editions of prints from her series Color Falls Down.

The series takes its name from a popular Hindi movie song, which speaks to the artist’s ultimate goal with the work: to bring together her roots in India with her life in America. Priya uses digital collage to combine the different cultures, generations, and identities that inform her life and work.

At right, the photographer keeps close tabs on various iterations of proofs as she works with Digital Lab Manager John Mannion to perfect her prints. Today the first full-scale print rolled off the 9900 in the new digital service area, with many more to come soon.

We’re pleased to post this week from photo MIAMI, which features 25 exhibitors from around the world, from Syracuse to Beijing. Things got off to a strong start with a bustling press and VIP preview this evening. Hundreds attended the six-hour preview, with most of those folks making their way through the Light Work booth.

We have prints on sale from our 2009 Subscription Program, including images by Elijah Gowin, Doug DuBois, Stanley Greenberg, and Suzanne Opton, as well as a host of other images from our Fine Print Program and Master Editions. Also attracting considerable attention at our booth were the signed books Maggie, …all the days and nights, Pitch Blackness, and On the Sixth Day.

Among those who stopped by to say hello at our booth was former Light Work Artist-in-Residence Peggy Nolan, who lives in the area. A blogger from Dodge and Burn dropped in to interview us about Light Work’s residency program, exhibitions, and Contact Sheet.

photo MIAMI opens to the public tomorrow at 11am when we’ll have more news.

Last Thursday and Friday, Light Work hosted a widely anticipated Professional Practices seminar with photographic consultant Mary Virginia Swanson and internationally recognized artist Susan kae Grant. The Thursday night lecture featured two parts. First, Swanson delivered (in her well-known rapid fire style) a taste of the latest and best ideas in getting work out into the market and in front of the right eyes. Then Grant and Swanson spoke about the many phases of Grant’s project Night Journey. Rarely do viewers get such a detailed look at an artist’s process, and it is especially rare to hear the whole story of such a complex project as Night Journey, which Grant has been developing over the past decade. Together Swanson and Grant flooded the room with 1,000 ideas for making and marketing photography creatively.
On Friday morning, Swanson and Grant met with Syracuse University students starting with a lecture geared to making the most of a photographic education. Following, Swanson and Grant held portfolio reviews. It was the students’ chance to show the experts how well they had listened to their advice on making the most of a 20-minute portfolio review.

Above, right: Susan kae Grant, installation view of Night Journey
Left: Mary Virginia Swanson meets with Syracuse University graduate student Shimpei Shirafuji

Andy Adams over at Flak Photo has chosen Sharon, 2007, by Deana Lawson, as today’s featured image. It couldn’t be better timing - the reception for Deana Lawson: Corporeal is tonight at Light Work from 5-8pm.

Flak Photo has a reputation as one of the best places online to enjoy exciting new photography. The site connects international audiences to online art experiences and promotes the discovery of photographers from around the world. Produced by Andy Adams, Flak Photo provides unique opportunities for artists and photo organizations to share new work, book projects, gallery exhibitions, and event updates with a global photography audience.

Check out Flak Photo’s daily updates, and definitely stop by the Corporeal reception tonight if you’re in the area.

This may be proof that miracles really can happen. The Summit Global Group, which bought the licensing to the Polaroid brand two years ago, announced last week that it will revive manufacture of the very popular Polaroid One-Step camera. They plan to resurrect the film version of the camera, and, for those who prefer a bit of the new-fangled with their nostalgia, also to produce a digital version.

But what’s a Polaroid camera without a bit of film to shake? The folks at The Impossible Project have been brought on to produce a limited edition of Polaroid branded instant films.

Both the camera and film have a projected release date of mid-2010, much to the delight of Polaroid shooters everywhere.

Ithaca-based artist Karen Brummund is installing her latest work on the front of the Menschel Media Center, where Light Work is located, this morning. Brummund won a Light Work Grant in Photography this year for her series of time-based drawings of architecture. She first sketches the surface of the building and then digitally enlarges the sketch to actual size. The drawing is then printed in sections on small sheets of paper and attached to the front of the structure. Brummund’s work uses everyday surfaces to play with the line between real and represented.

If you’re in the area, stop by and see the installation progress throughout the day. Brummund (at right) is assisted this morning by her husband Peter Brummund and by Light Work intern Gabi Lewton-Leopold. Below is a view of the installation from inside the building.