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My copy of CITIES Contemporary Urban Views, Issue 11 arrived and is beautiful. I am so grateful and honored to have been included in this magazine, among so many other wonderful photographers. I received my copy of Cities11 Magazine this afternoon and am honored to be among so many wonderful photographers in this most beautiful magazine and issue. To view the video about my featured article, click here. To read about my series, and to view some of the images, please scroll down.
Many Thanks to:
Hangar Fotografico, Michele Di Donato, Angelo Cucchetto and Sonia Pampuri
Additional Thanks to all involved in helping me to bring this series into the world, in book form: Laura Pressley, Elizabeth Avedon, Bonnie Briant Design, Sherry Edwards, Daylight Books, Michael Itkoff, Taj Forer, Andrea Smith, Ursula Damm
To order the magazine:
To order book: (I'm offering a 25% OFF SALE through February.This includes a signed book and a special edition print.)
About my series:
This work spans three decades culminating during the pandemic. I felt that because of the universality and timelessness of the topic, I could work on other projects while also pursuing my freelance path as a photographer. How one navigates and interprets imagery should be completely open. I believe that people will project their own experiences and emotions onto those whom they are observing especially those who are alone in a public place, and might ask ' Who is she? Why is she alone?'
When I went off to college I was very concerned about how my father's death would affect my mother, let alone my siblings and me. Within a short period of time I witnessed that my mom's path was always forward. When I returned to NYC, after college, I lived alone in Greenwich Village. Surrounded by so many charming cafes, coffeeshops and restaurants, I would frequent my favorite spots with friends but also to 'dine alone.' My idea to evolve this portrait series started during that time, in the 1980's.
Solitude is a complex topic. I was always aware of the spectrum of joy and solace to sadness and loneliness. That said, my distinct point of view was that it also takes courage to be alone and to confront oneself. Hence I began my series. Approaching total strangers and also some whom I had known, I would explain my project and ask people if they'd be willing to participate. Once I coordinated a time and place for us conduct a photo session, I'd ask my subjects to act out how they felt when they dined alone, in public, offering direction as it was deemed necessary. I strove to capture strong, independent individuals.
My book project was fully designed by Bonnie Briant and ready for publication when I had an epiphany -Sipping my coffee, 'dining alone' in an outdoor restaurant during the pandemic, I knew that I had to expand the original scope of my project and so I did. The pandemic forced an isolating 'dining alone' experience on so many of us and in so many different ways. By the mere outdoor restaurant designs, this lethal Covid 19 Virus, was something we all feared. The plastic partitions, private bubbles, tents and 'cubicular' dining spaces, brought our isolation into sharp focus.
World-wide, we seemed to have acquired a heightened awareness about the fragilities of life. We had also become connected though our vulnerabilities. I hope this series serves as an encouraging reminder that we came to terms with our aloneness when we dined.
