The Ubiquitous Image was a fascinating look at how artists’ re-use existing imagery to create new works of art. Their images starting life as Flickr sets, found via Google or re-purposed from newspapers and magazines.

Penelope Umbrico who started a project when she found 2,303,087 pictures of sunsets searching the word “sunset” on the Flickr site. Joachim Schmid whose beautiful striped collages started life as catalogues, posters, calling cards and other printed matter. These were then shredded and painstakingly repurposed and reassembled. “It is much more interesting to use these existing images and work with them than making new photographs”.

In addition there were also many other components to the event. Satellite shows with additional supporting work, I liked the Portraiture collection the most which was put together by Getty Images.

There was also a body of work by the acclaimed VII agency whose members include many of the best photojournalists in the world. PowerHouse books who have an amazing collection of photography publications in their flagship Dumbo store (I can spend hours just looking there!). And a host of featured artists who held discussions and gave valuable insights into their work.

Despite making the last day of the event I forgot my jet lag and came away refreshed and inspired, I even bought a print by Boogie, one of my favorite photographers – looking forward to the next event!

New York Photo Festival 2008
Date: May 14th – 18th, 2008
Place: PowerHouse Arena, etc
https://www.nyphotofestival.com