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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Luciano Ruiz

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……….New York City – 1965. 231 East 47th Street. Andrew Warhola, known as Andy Warhol, revolutionized the way in which people look at art. His emblematic technique has become an icon of modern art. As the 50th anniversary of his famous Factory studio approaches, it seems proper to explore the not so conventional aspects of his artistic career.

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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

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Some of his earlier works show deliberate preparation through photographic images and sketches. Warhol’s “organized mess” took much more than simply selecting contrasting colors and backgrounds to create the perfect design. By taking photographs of the objects he was drawn to, Warhol anticipated the shapes and patterns he would later recreate.

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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

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His final works do not resemble his initial sketches in any way. The use of color and contrast was purely Warhol’s own creation. Additionally, he developed his own movement by venturing into techniques never seen before. However, without his photographic eye for design, his creations would have never been the same.

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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

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By examining several of Warhol’s filmstrips, it is evident that he was drawn to peculiar characters. His interest in high fashion provided him access to avant-garde ideas and techniques. Although not commonly exhibited or explored, these filmstrips provide an insight into one of Warhol’s main inspirations.

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Luciano Ruiz: Instagram

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As his interests expanded into other sectors of society, Warhol began using political and social agendas as inspirations for art. Controversial political events and social movements began to spark an interest in Warhol. Terrifying political figures soon took the form of colorful characters, revolutionizing the way in which people looked at them.

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Warhol Exhibition

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Throughout Andy Warhol’s career, he created numerous works of art that express diverse interests and subjects. Anything from fashion to current events caught the attention of this artistic idol. Through skillful preparation and innovation, nowadays his works are amongst the most renowned in the world. Five decades later and Warhol continues to surprise us all.

About The Author: Luciano Ruiz is a Candidate for Bachelor of Arts, University of Pennsylvania – Class of 2013

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Editor’s Note: To access additional articles by Luciano Ruiz, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Photo: Bennett Lee

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Bennett Lee

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PHILADELPHIA, PA–Coatings capable of completely repelling water could raise the bar in the near future.

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……….A new startup, Nelum Sciences, has developed a transparent superhydrophobic coating based on silica nanoparticles to help surfaces repel water as well as other liquid nuisances.

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Photo: Bennett Lee

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Superhydrophobicity, also known as the “lotus effect” gives a water contact angle over 150°. a superhydrophobic coating causes drops of water to bead up and roll right off. In addition, surfaces become self-cleaning, since the rolling droplets can carry with them any dirt or other unwanted particles. The technology was created through research done by Prof. Shu Yang at the University of Pennsylvania and is currently patent-pending.

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Photo: Bennett Lee

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The technology is fun to watch with several demonstrations available on Youtube, including one where drops of water are seen accelerating right off of a pair of safety goggles.

Photo: Bennett Lee

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Prof. Yang sees vast potential in the technology with the potential for it to be applied in everything from car windshields, safety goggles, optical lens, and any other application that needs to quickly repel water to maintain clear sight. Other applications could even include solar panels, which could repel accruing materials that block sunlight and inhibit efficiency.

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Photo: Bennett Lee

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Nelum has gained traction and already acquired an SBIR Phase I grant and is currently in the process of further developing this technology.

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Photo: Bennett Lee

About The Author: Bennett Lee is enrolled in The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology – The Wharton School | School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania Class of 2013 – Copyright 2012
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Editor’s Note: To read more articles by Bennett Lee, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Photo: Bob Shell

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Bob Shell

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……….Nothing new to report on my case. But I really don’t expect to get a ruling from the court until around the middle of the year. Courts move at their own speed, and the general rule seems to be the longer the better, because that means they are actually considering everything. My case generated a massive amount of paperwork, and the court must go through all of it to consider my claims.

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I got a letter the other day from one of the models who worked with me on the bondage book back in 2003-04. She said she got to wondering about what had happened to me and did a Google search and found out where I am. Like every model I ever worked with, she knows that I am not guilty. I told her about TWS and suggested that she post here about what it was like to work with me, so maybe she will.

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One lawyer I know made the point that the cops and prosecution had from June 2003 until my trial in August of 2007 to search for any model I worked with who would say anything negative about me. They couldn’t find anyone. If I really had been the serial molestor they portrayed me as being, they ought to have been able to find at least one of my earlier victims, but they found no one. That should have meant something to the jury. I don’t think they really thought things through and simply voted with a knee-jerk reaction.

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I also don’t think the jury understood how sentencing works. Not one of the sentences they gave me was very long, and I believe they assumed that all of them would run concurrently. Indeed, running sentences concurrently is the norm. But in Virginia the judge makes that decision, not the jury, and the jury can’t even be told that they have the option to recommend concurrent sentences. My judge ignored the VA sentencing guidelines and ran my sentences consecutively. The guidelines called for 1 1/2 to 3 years. But the Virginia guidelines are merely recommendations, they carry no force, and judges routinely ignore them. I don’t know why they even bother to have guidelines.

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If the jury in a state of Virginia case asks the judge if sentences will be run concurrently or consecutively, the judge will tell them that it is none of their concern! The jury is not allowed to know!! But the law requires that jurors be fully informed prior to their deliberations. None of this makes any sense, since a jury can intend a light sentence and a judge can arbitrarily convert it into a very long sentence. The more research I do on this, the less sense it makes.

About The Author: Bob Shell is a professional photographer, author and former editor in chief of Shutterbug Magazine. He is currently serving a 35 year sentence at Pocahontas State Correctional Center, Pocahontas, Virginia for involuntary manslaughter for the death of one of his models, Marion Franklin. He is currently working on his appeal.
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Editor’s Note: To read more letters from prison by Bob Shell, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click the green icon. To learn more about the case log on to www.BobShellTruth.com.

Jean Ward

……….On July 9, 2012 my mother will celebrate her 92 birthday. Happy Mother’s Day mom and to all the mother’s in the world!

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Mom's Kitchen Mother's Day

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Editor’s Note: To learn more about Jean Ward, go to search bar at top of the page: enter FAMILY LEGACY PROJECT, and click green icon.

Barlow Holley

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Barlow Holley

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……….I despise imposing my own subjective idea of this photographic message upon you the viewer and wish to leave its meaning as open-ended as possible. That being said, one could reasonably say that this image is of a more humorous rather than serious nature in comparison to some of the other exhibits in The Philo Project series. To me, this picture hints at a variety of themes: a parody of the concept of “erotic art” through the absurd juxtaposition of a formal space and stodgy musical instrument with near complete nudity, a glimpse of the sitter with see-through vision, or merely the whimsical appreciation of the human form in the position of musical performance. Is erotic art a nominal practice more than other genres of art, does erotic art require reference to physical acts or parts to be erotic, what is erotic art’s place in the hierarchy of artistic content, assuming that such an ordering exists? These are just a handful of my personal musings.

To Be Continued……….

William Burroughs

Posted on May 11, 2012

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In 1972, Rolling Stone magazine sent me and writer Robert Palmer to London to do a feature article on William S. Burroughs. William greeted us cordially; despite his outlaw reputation, he was a complete gentleman. We stayed a week, and had a terrific time. We also met Brion Gysin (William’s closest friend), who showed us his “Dream Machine,” a revolving flicker device that caused visual fireworks in the viewer’s brain. Bob and I also enjoyed Burroughs’ awesome intelligence and his controversial ideas about addiction, conditioning, and control.

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

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Rolling Stone loved our article, and made me their New York photographer (they were based in San Francisco) later that year.
In 1975, Crawdaddy magazine asked me to photograph Burroughs and Jimmy Page as they interviewed each other. Burroughs was back in America now, and we met in his downtown Manhattan loft. Burroughs disliked being photographed, but he remembered me and was warm and friendly, even giving my camera a rare grin.

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

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In 1975, William Burroughs wrote the text for my first book, Sidetripping. I was so thrilled. Shortly thereafter, Burroughs moved to Lawrence, Kansas. I never saw him again. He died in 1997 at the age of 83. By introducing my photography to the world, William Burroughs changed my life, big time. Thank you so much, William!

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

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Last year I published Burroughs 23, a handmade artist’s book with DanaDanaDana, a noted San Francisco art book publisher. Burroughs 23 contains all the best photos from both my NYC and London shoots. To view the book (and the boxed set of my Burroughs prints), go to www.Burroughs23.com.

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Photo: Charles Gatewood

Editor’s Note: To learn more about Charles Gatewood’s work log on, www.CharlesGatewood.com

Love

Posted on May 10, 2012 BY A.H. Scott

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……….It’s ironic that some of those who are most vocal against same sex marriage are those who have dinosaur bones in their own closets. Archbishop Timothy Dolan, here in NYC, said that ‘it’s a sad day for the children’. WTF?!!!! Now, I know I’m probably going to feel a little pitchfork in my butt for saying that. But, c’mon, Catholic Church. You above all other institutions want to talk about sin. Look inward instead of outward for what sin truly is. And, then there’s Mitt Romney who says “I believe marriage is between one man and one woman”. And, when I heard him say that, I was waiting for him to add ..”I believe marriage is between one man and one woman….and one woman….and another woman. WTF? That’s the history of Romney’s own ancestors of multiple wives. And, of course, Newt (Mr. Married Again and Again) Gingrich. And, all the other hypocrites down the line speak morality for themselves only. So, those who have all these rights already (and never have to enter a court to validate them) are always bitchin and moanin about the destruction of the institution of marriage, if gay men and lesbian woman get married would live by the words they love to always spout; show some Christian compassion and brotherhood and – LET LOVE RULE..!!”

Copyright 2012

About The Author: Editor’s Note: To read more of A.H. Scott, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Photo: Ryan Feit

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Ryan Feit

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……….Entrepreneurship used to be setting up a large factory. It used to be knocking on doors for months to convince a bank or wealthy investors to provide you millions of dollars before you could operate. But everything we know about entrepreneurship is changing. This is what Entrepreneurship looks like today.

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Photo: Ryan Feit

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Today, all you need to build is a laptop. The computer has replaced the hammer and the Internet has replaced the assembly line. The cost to create has declined exponentially.

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Photo: Ryan Feit

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Only one thing remains constant. It’s all about the team. The right team can operate like a heat-seeking missile, varying its path in a rapidly changing landscape in order to succeed. Nowadays teams are more agile and can work together from across the globe.

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Photo: Ryan Feit

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SeedInvest will change the game. For the first time in history, entrepreneurs don’t need to knock on doors to find and convince the 1% to invest in them. They will be able to pitch millions at once and raise small amounts from lots of people.

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SeedInvest empowers entrepreneurs to raise capital in a way that has never been done before. Convince “The Crowd” and fund your business. Fail and you’ll know your idea wasn’t worthy.

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Photo: Ryan Feit

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For the first time in 80 years, anyone will be able to invest in the new restaurant down the street or the next hot startup. SeedInvest is about the 99%. You don’t need to be rich, you just need a computer. Join us at seedinvest.com.

About The Author: Ryan Feit is enrolled in the MBA program: Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

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Editor’s Note: To read more articles by Ryan Feit, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Christopher

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Madeleine Shiff

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For this series of portraits, I was influenced both by Diane Arbus’s photographs of so-called “deviant or marginal” individuals, as well as Nan Goldin’s candid style of photography. I admire both of their photographic styles for their abilities to create photographs that are blunt and honest. They also both raise questions about a photograph’s ability to reveal hidden truths.

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Christoper

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My series depicts a man getting ready for a night out, and in the process of transforming himself into a woman. Each photograph is a different step in the process and conveys him methodically putting on makeup and changing his clothes until the transition is complete.

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I chose to explore the boundaries of gender and sexuality through my series. In the process, however, I also learned about the boundaries of photography. Diane Arbus’s work is controversial both for the starkness with which she depicts individuals’ defects, and for the questions it raises about a photographer’s potential exploitation of his or her subjects. My friend Christopher, the subject of this series, has never before dressed in drag. This raises questions about the authenticity of the photographs. Is it enough that Christopher was eager to explore a side of himself that he had always been curious about, or must a photograph always depict reality for it to be credible? Does Christopher’s background really matter? Christopher explained to me that as a gay man he is far more open to exploring his sexuality and femininity than a heterosexual man. His point lends itself to questions about the very nature of the society in which we live. If individuals are born with a range of sexual orientations than why does society impose restrictions in which one must adhere to one of two categories completely. Contemporary debates in American society regarding gay rights, address the core of these questions of societal restrictions on gender identities. I became interested in these issues when I moved to America two years ago. I am Canadian and unlike the United States, gay marriage has been legal in Canada since 2005. Although Canada is by no means perfect, it has provided equal rights for those considered by other countries to be “marginal or deviant.” Nevertheless, it is likely that sexual orientation and gender roles will continue to be explored and debated in both Canada and the United States for the foreseeable future.

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Christopher

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With regards to the question of the authenticity of these images, one might argue that my photographs are inauthentic because Christopher is not a “real” drag queen. However, I do not believe that any photograph can truly be “authentic.” Every photograph demonstrates either the subject or the photographer wishing to portray himself or herself in a certain way. The power of photography to distort reality yet also reveal hidden truths about its subjects is a concept that I find particularly interesting and have explored throughout all of my photography assignments this semester. As Diane Arbus once said, “A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.”

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Christopher

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Christoper

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Madeleine Shiff: Self-Portrait 2012

About The Author: Madeleine Shiff is enrolled in the College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2013.

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Editor’s Note: To access additional articles by Madeleine Shiff, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.

Photo: Luciano Ruiz

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Luciano Ruiz

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Photography is the medium by which one creates art through visual observation and careful deliberation. Over time it has allowed us to see the world in a different way by recreating images that are often overlooked by the naked eye. Being able to explore this contemporary form of expression over the past months has dramatically changed the way in which I interpret the environment around me. Throughout the course of this semester I have learned to make sense of every situation that surrounds me in order to produce frames that are both innovative and captivating. For this individual project I have decided to explore fashion and its relation to this flexible medium.

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Photo: Luciano Ruiz

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……….Fashion and photography have been evolving side-by-side for decades. Photographers are essential in capturing novel tendencies, while their images at the same time create trends themselves. It is this interplay of novelty and creativity that inspired me to create a fashion project. The subject’s exotic traits were my main inspiration. The subtlety of her skin along with the fine features of her face presented me with a blank slate from which to produce unique photographs.

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I was quickly moved by the subject’s reminiscence of the casual interplay between texture and color that characterize the Incas, native peoples of her home country Peru. For that reason I decided to use opposing colors and fabrics in order to create the perfect contrast between the subject and the setting surrounding her. By layering different clothing pieces and accessories I was also able to create this contrasting effect.

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Photo: Luciano Ruiz

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I soon realized that fashion shoots do not only entail good styling, but also require detailed preparation of the setting in which the subject will be placed. As stated above, the model’s subtle facial features were one of my main inspirations. In order to create that contrast I was trying to achieve throughout the shoot, I decided to place her in a setting with rough lines and strong textures. The presence of concrete walls and stainless steel elements fit perfectly with the subject. This allowed me to manipulate her and draw attention towards the aspects that I found most intriguing. As soon as I took out my camera I began to see with different eyes the environment around me. I set my imagination free and naturally captured what caught my attention. Allowing my creativity to wonder not only yielded results that were amazing, but that were also in tune with own personal beliefs and pleasures.

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Photo: Luciano Ruiz

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As I look back to the progress I’ve made throughout this course, I cannot help but feel proud of what I have achieved. I was able to produce amazing results by positively incorporating feedback into every subsequent project I undertook. The fact that I was able to integrate a setting and adapt it to the needs of this project is a vast improvement from previous assignments. Additionally, I kept true to my interests and desires throughout each project. Individually, they reflect different facets of our daily environment, but as a whole they mirror my own creative, social and political agenda as an aspiring photographer.

About The Author: Luciano Ruiz is a Candidate for Bachelor of Arts, University of Pennsylvania – Class of 2013
Photographs by Luciano Ruiz – Copyright 2012

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Editor’s Note: To access additional articles by Luciano Ruiz, go to the search bar at the top of the page: enter name and click green icon.