This isn’t exactly the post I had planned for today.
In the spring or summer of 2010, I did some photographic research for photographer Taryn Simon. Me, being me, I had no clue that she is considered the rock icon of art photography. Steven Spielberg attends her openings. I know that now, but I didn’t know that then.
Her assistant contacted me about doing archival research at the Missouri Historical Society. When I asked about payment, she explained what an honor it would be to be listed in the catalog. Mmmm. Right. And the electric company will be impressed by that enough to leave my lights on? She laughed and agreed to payment.
Last week I got an e-mail that the exhibit, “A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters, I-XVIII,” is currently on display at Tate Modern, London until January 2nd. It is also at Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin until January 1. Then select chapters will be at the Museum of Modern Art, New York from May 1 until August 2012. Check out the exhibit, which is definitely something worth seeing, if you happen to be in one of these cities.
Me? I watched the Youtube interview. Images flashed by. The pieces I researched? Nowhere to be seen. Yes, they may be in the larger exhibit somewhere but, even if they aren’t, I did get to work for the rock icon of art photography.
And the check? The lights are, in fact, still on.
–SueBE
One Writer's Journey 