Well, Santa Monica actually.
[photopress:photola_logo.gif,full,alignright] The 18th installment of this excellent international photo fair , PhotoLA, comes to the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, starting Jan. 9-11th.
In this relatively new venue for the exposition, they have gathered photographic art dealers from around the world to display and yes sell, their wares.
As collectors ourselves , we have really seen our collection become one of our best investments through the years, even in crappy economic times.
But there isn’t any photograph we want to sell. Honestly to surround your life with art, especially in your home, is one of the great things about having opposing thumbs.
OK, I’m sure someone will point out the chimpanzees that paint. But can they read a histogram?

I digress.
One of the best things about art fairs like this is the concentration of imagery in one place. You will be able to see some of the finest examples of the photographic art, as you cruise from booth to booth.
It’s always up to the organizers of the show to select the appropriate dealers who will show a selection of work that may reflect an overall gestalt of the organizers.
We’ll see how it goes this year, but there has not been a disappointment in the past.
Always one of the highlights of an event like this is to see a photograph that maybe has come out of a collection for sale, and this is a rare opportunity to see it in person.

And if you don’t pick up an original photograph, there will be a selection of our favorite book sellers and publishers on hand to offer up books from your favorite or newly discovered , artists.
Plus there are book signings, seminars on collecting and a conversation series with photographers like Joel-Peter Witkin, Jill Greenberg, Jock Sturges, Diane Keaton, Bruce Davidson,Susan Meiselas.

And special exhibits, that are out of the dealers booths.

For those of you not in town, our goal is to be your eyes and perhaps share with you what we see and send off links to you, for your perusal and opinion.

Tomorrow is the press preview and charity event, so we’ll keep you informed.

Here is the daily schedule:

Friday, January 9th
Noon – 8 pm: Public Hours
10 am – Noon: collecting seminar with Charlotte Cotton
10 am – 5:50 pm: Review LA Portfolio Viewing

Saturday, January 10th
Noon – 8 pm: Public Hours
10 am – Noon: collecting seminar with Karen Sinsheimer
6 pm – 9 pm: Review LA Portfolio Viewing
LACMA Free Conversation Series & Book Signings
Charlotte Cotton in Conversation with:
Noon – 1:00 pm, David Maisel
2 – 3 pm, Diane Keaton & Marvin Heiferman
3:30 – 4:30 pm, Bruce Davidson
5 – 6 pm, Susan Meiselas

Sunday, January 11th
Noon – 6 pm: Public Hours
10 am – Noon: collecting seminar with Jonathan Green
11 am: Joel-Peter Witkin Lecture
1 pm: Catherine Opie Lecture
3 pm: Jim Goldberg Lecture

You can buy your tickets on-line here, or on-site.
It’s about $30 for a 3 day pass with catalogue. Total bargain.