MARISA MARCHITELLI

Teaching Photography: Food

2010-07-01T23:51:00.003-04:00

I've been teaching private photography classes lately and most recently did a session on food photography (my personal favorite).

These images are from Khun Churn's Restaurant in Chiang Mai.

Indy Gets His Ball

2010-06-27T04:27:00.002-04:00

Here is a time lapse video a threw together about Indy and his ball.

Inside the Artist's Studio

2010-05-30T10:10:00.003-04:00

As a beginning to a long-term, ongoing project, capturing artist's at work in their studios, I present Sawan Yawnghwe. His collborative work with Sondenkind is currently being exhibited at Sangdee Gallery.

Surface Interval, Thai Style.

2010-01-12T21:20:00.003-05:00

Only in Thailand can you expect a buffet waiting for you during your surface interval after your first dive.

Fried pork patties, chicken and tofu Panang and stir-fried vegetables!

My first post with Uptake!

2010-01-10T23:00:00.000-05:00

Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal, Mexico

Phen Restaurant, Northern Thai Food Galore!

2010-01-10T22:04:00.003-05:00

While I love all Thai food, my favorite is definitely Northern Thai. Phen Restaurant is a jewel tucked away in the narrow sois of old Chiangmai. Located across the street from Anubaan Chiangmai (Chiangmai Kindergarten) you can expect to find everything from Kao Soi noodles to grilled eggplant salad to bamboo shoot salad to fried chicken and nam prik ong (a Northern chilli tomato dip) just to name a few items off their vast menu.

The House Restaurant, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

2010-01-02T22:02:00.004-05:00

The House & Ginger Cafe is my favorite dining experience in Chiang Mai. Located right in the middle of town, it is a charming cafe (Ginger) and more formal dining area in The House. With both Asian and Western menus and an impressive and creative selection of cocktails, it is an experience you won't forget! The atmosphere is truly unique.

Sawasdee Pee Mai!

2010-01-02T20:24:00.005-05:00

There's no way to ring in the new year like lighting off a few khom loy (floating lanterns). A northern Thai tradition, these light paper laterns are like little hot air balloons that are lit on all significant occasions across the region. The belief is that your bad luck will be lifted into the sky with a wish. The most impressive display being the celebration of Loi Kratong in the Maejo district of Chiang Mai where thousands are simultaneously released each year.

10 things you should do with 10 hours in Seoul, Korea.

2009-12-28T21:32:00.012-05:00

Yesterday I had a lengthy layover in Seoul on my way to Thailand. Never having visited Korea beyond Incheon airport, I decided to go exploring. After boarding an airport limousine bus, I was taken on a comfortable one-and-a-half hour ride and dropped off in the heart of Seoul's Jonggak district.

1. Take a walk down Insadong, a charming downtown neighborhood with a plethora of street vendors, narrow side streets, art galleries and charming restaurants in old Korean houses.

2. Eat some dak galbi (spicy Korean chicken barbeque).

3. Stop at any of the Pascucci coffee shops for some hot milk green tea. Very strong matcha flavor. Love it!

4. Visit Jogyesa Buddhist temple.

5. Stroll through Namdaemun market where you will find anything from traditional handicrafts to hats that resemble plush hello kitties.

6. Eat a hot steamy bowl of kimchi udon.

7. Take a walk through the trendy Myeongdong district, full of contemporary boutiques, street vendors and restaurants.

8. Walk past Jongno Tower.

9. Sample as much street food as possible.

10. Make sure you ride the most intricate subway system I've ever seen. It goes everywhere and is delightfully organized and navigable.

Dos Ojos Cenote. Riviera Maya, Mexico.

2009-12-08T09:34:00.008-05:00

The first cenote I ever saw, before I ever knew what a cenote was, was Dos Ojos. A faded, hand-painted sign on the federal highway 307 directed me 2.5km down a dirt road through the jungle. Decending into the sinkhole along a questionable set of wooden stairs, I slipped. Of course, it was worth it. The sight I saw was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and yesterday Luis Leal took me on what he called the "unofficial tour" of his cenote.

More than half of the dive was through caves, without any glimpse of the outside world. Gliding through inexplicably clear waters with 300 feet of visibilty, we passed through a halocline (where salt water and fresh water meet to create a hazy, psychedelic visual experience). Stalactites, stalagmites, columns as high as 4 meters and crystals litter these caves. One cave had an impressive naturally collapsed karstic roof and pigmentation in the limestone, evidence of prehistoric painting. Dos Ojos is known for the bat cave: a dark cave where you are able to surface that is the home to several hundred fruit bats. My favorite part of any cenote dive is when you emerge from a cave and see streams of light shooting into the cavern through the jungle. There's nothing quite like it and it takes my breath away every time.

The hand-painted sign, has since been replaced with a much larger, sophisticated one and at it's peak 250 divers visit the system daily. Luis Leal's dive shop is located right at the entrance to Dos Ojos.

Diving with bull sharks.

2009-12-07T09:56:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I had the unique opportunity to dive with bull sharks off the coast of Playa Del Carmen. This group of 12 female bull sharks have visited this area every winter for the past 3 years to breed. Returning to the exact same spot just behind the Jardines reef on the sand flat, they are an incredible sight to behold.

I also captured a video of it.

Cenotes of the Yucatán, Mexico

2009-12-06T10:01:00.011-05:00

One of the main reasons I find myself returning to the Yucatán Peninsula again and again is the unique natural wonder that exists here: Cenotes. What are cenotes? Most people have never heard of them yet they are the gateways to the largest underground river system in the world and heavily linked to ancient Mayan history. Mostly made up of crystal clear sinkholes and fresh water, they litter the coast-line between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum running perpendicular to the ocean. Attracting a certain kind of eco-tourist, they are open to both scuba diving and snorkeling excursions.

I will never forget the first time I dove into one. It was El Gran Cenote. After gearing up and a brief stroll through the jungle, we plunged into an underwater world that I was never aware of and that would change my experience of diving for ever. Stalactites, stalagmites, crystal formations, fossilized coral and animal remains in the limestone walls, and sunlight streaming through the cenote opening revealing the jungle above. It was truly breathtaking. I felt like I was flying through pages of a National Geographic spread. The water was so clear and still that I felt as though I was floating in a void. There's really nothing like it.

On my current Mexican adventure I have made it a mission to explore as many of these cenotes as I can, particularly the ones that are lesser known. So far I have explored two:

Xunaan Ha Cenote
Location: 500 meters off the 307 highway in the town of Chemuyil

A relatively small and isolated cenote, I was captivated by the carpet of bright green algae that covered the rocks under the water. There is also a small fox that roams here which I saw twice!

Jardín del Eden Cenote (part of the Ponderosa cave system)
Location: Near Akumal on the 307 highway

I visited this cenote twice. With a much larger opening it is ideal for snorkeling as well as diving and a large overhang allows for exciting cenote jumping! There are two entrances into the cave system, upstream and downstream so it's perfect for a 2-tank dive. Most importantly, there is also a lady making tacos right there!

The glorious food of Oaxaca.

2009-11-20T15:05:00.002-05:00

When dogs go to the country.

2009-11-18T10:42:00.002-05:00

Beaumont, Virginia.

Ana & James, a video montage.

2009-11-13T09:27:00.003-05:00

Michelle & Chris. Beaumont, Virginia.

2009-11-06T17:31:00.005-05:00

Ana y James. Oaxaca, Mexico.

2009-11-06T12:03:00.006-05:00

Behind the scenes with Sarju.

2009-10-21T19:01:00.005-04:00

My friend Sarju Patel was recently in town from LA shooting a short film. I tagged along to get some behind-the-scenes shots.

Why I love Built's Cargo Camera Bag.

2009-10-20T17:40:00.006-04:00

I recently showed Tara my latest camera bag purchase and was reminded of how much and why I love it so.

Built has an impressive line of neoprene products that delve out of standard designs. What initially drew me to their cargo camera bag was the fact that it didn't look like a standard camera bag. Considering how much I travel, it is important for me not to stick out as an individual who is carrying thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment.

The bag is also incredibly sturdy with a double layer of neoprene protecting all your equipment. The interior is a lovely baby blue which is not only cute, but makes all your camera gear incredibly easy to see and access. The interior is fully customizable with velcro and has some great little side pockets as well.

While I got the bag in black, the polka-dot option was almost too cute too pass up.

Jason & Marc.

2009-10-14T19:07:00.004-04:00

Elephants, bathed by firemen.

2009-09-02T16:07:00.003-04:00

Just a typical morning in Coney Island, where Suzy, one of Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey's elephants, went for a stroll down Surf Avenue. She stopped in front of Nathan's Hot Dogs where firemen from the local precinct gave her a refreshing bath. So cute! She loved it.

La Comida Boriquena.

2009-08-31T17:30:00.004-04:00

On a recent trip to Puerto Rico I learned that Boriquan food consists of three main items:

1) Mofongo - this carribean dish consists of fried mashed plantains which are seasoned and filled with anything from seafood to pork belly, commonly overloaded with a garlicy sauce.*
2) Plantains - in some form or another accompanies every meal.
3) Fried food - almost everything you order is fried, even though it might not be specified as such.

(*While I clearly state that mofongo is derived from the plantain, it needs to be it's own category. Mofongo with a plantain side is quite common.)

Ceviche

Fresh lobster smothered in garlic sauce with tostones on the side

Mahi-mahi with a mango chutney sauce and sweet plantains

Mofongo relleno with shrimp

Fried corn

Roadkill.

2009-08-17T12:05:00.002-04:00

Shandalee, Catskills, New York

Tango in Central Park.

2009-07-29T13:27:00.002-04:00

Every Saturday during the summer.

Family Portraits.

2009-07-29T13:22:00.003-04:00

Mermaid Parade.

2009-06-24T14:35:00.006-04:00

These images are from the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island, Brooklyn on June 20, 2009.

Bugz Time Lapse.

2009-06-24T14:33:00.002-04:00

Please view my latest time lapse video on vimeo.

Bulldozing.

2009-05-13T00:03:00.002-04:00

Time Lapse: An Experiment

2009-04-14T09:46:00.004-04:00

I recently purchased a Nikon D90 and have been eager to delve into the world of time lapse photography, especially after being introduced to the work of Keith Loutit. Since the D90 doesn't have a built-in interval shooting mechanism, I bought a digital shutter release on ebay. It's great and I highly recommend it. There are no limits on how long you can shoot for and everything is customizable.

I did my first experiment out the window yesterday. This is 400 shots with 2 second intervals.

Calling All Clowns.

2009-04-06T22:11:00.005-04:00

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey hosted their first clown college auditions in 10 years. I was the official photographer. Here are a few selects.

The Circus Is In Town.

2009-03-30T01:33:00.004-04:00

Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus is now playing at MSG and I had the pleasure of enjoying a matinee show today. It was magical!

A tale of a cheese plate.

2009-03-25T17:44:00.007-04:00

Aged emmenthal and leonora goat cheese to be precise...

I received my Nikon D90 today. Eager and excited to play with my new baby I started shooting random things in the house and here you have it: My masterpiece. The video feature is truly fantastic. It shoots in HD (720 resolution) and really gives a cinematic feel I think.

Set to a tragic piece by Phillip Glass titled Forgetting, I think of it as an homage to my Nikon D70s which now pales in comparison.

Simplifi your life.

2009-03-24T16:34:00.002-04:00

All the other technology geeks and organizational freaks out there will appreciate this nifty little contraption conceived by Griffin Technology. The Simplifi boasts some pretty cool features: a dock for pretty much every iPhone and iPod that shouldn't be in a museum yet; a card reader for just about every card format (!!!); and a USB hub. And just look at it! ADORABLE!

I've already ordered mine from J&R's for $49.99.

Behind-the-scenes of the behind-the-scenes.

2009-03-22T10:58:00.004-04:00

I've been working on the behind-the scenes for Kalamity, an independent feature. This is a shot of me conducting the interviews with the actors on my "set" in Fairfax, Virginia.

Clowning around.

2009-03-22T09:56:00.006-04:00

This is an ad I put together that is currently appearing in NYC taxi cabs. I shot the opening with the clowns and edited the piece... ZING ZANG ZOOM!

A week in Mexico.

2009-02-11T22:28:00.005-05:00

A visual dissection of Thai culture

2009-01-03T23:08:00.004-05:00

Time: approximately 3:30am
Place: noodle shop specializing in "nipple" fish balls
Subject: our waiter

Thailand Rock

2008-12-28T23:40:00.001-05:00

Chiangmai Antique Shops.

2008-12-27T20:03:00.002-05:00

Season's Greetings.

2008-12-24T22:55:00.001-05:00

Los Animales.

2008-12-21T09:22:00.003-05:00

Again, and again this weekend, I found myself drawn to photographing animals. These were all taken between Chiangmai and Fang.

My year in black and white.

2008-12-19T01:40:00.008-05:00

Inspired by Michele's review of 2008, here are glimpses of my year through photos.
Early Summer, North Carolina

Spring, Paris & Durtal, France

Early Summer, Isla Morada, Florida
Summer, Arizona & Puerto Peñasco, Mexico

Snapshots From Thailand

2008-12-16T21:37:00.006-05:00

Scuba Bear Makes an Appearance at the NYC Marathon 2008

2008-11-05T23:05:00.004-05:00

Paulina amazed us all once again by running (and completing!) the NYC marathon. I just finished cutting together this rather amusing video shot by Diego (stills by me). A very special thanks to scuba bear for making a guest appearance.

Enjoy!

The Aftermath Project

2008-10-22T12:47:00.003-04:00

While attending the Lucie Awards on Monday evening supporting my friend Jeff Liao 's nomination in the publishing category, I first learned of The Aftermath Project. Sara Terry, the project's founder, was presented with an honorary Lucie Award for humanitarian work. The foundation's mission is:

"The Aftermath Project is a non-profit organization committed to telling the
other half of the story of conflict — the story of what it takes for individuals to
learn to live again, to rebuild destroyed lives and homes, to restore civil societies,
to address the lingering wounds of war while struggling to create new avenues for peace.

The Aftermath Project holds a yearly grant competition open to working
photographers worldwide covering the aftermath of conflict. In addition,
through partnerships with universities, photography institutions and non-profit
organizations, the Project seeks to help broaden the public’s understanding of the
true cost of war— and the real price of peace — through international traveling
exhibitions and educational outreach in communities and schools. An annual
publication co-published with Aperture and Mets & Schilt is distributed world wide."

Her mission really moved me and I really believe there is a need to document post-conflict struggles that often don't make it to mainstream media.

Other highlights of the evening include the presentation of an honorary portraiture achievement award to Herman Leonard by none other that Tony Bennett!

Nik Wallenda's Record-Setting Bicycle Highwire Event

2008-10-22T10:12:00.005-04:00

The Big Leagues...

2008-10-10T15:24:00.006-04:00

Recently, while in DC, I was hired to shoot the presentation of a report to Congress and the press by the US-Muslim Engagement Project. Search for Common Ground was the NGO that hired me and I had the opportunity to brush up my Betacam skills while leaving my back in agony for 2 days.

Some of the footage aired on Good Morning America this morning. I only shot the footage at the podium towards the beginning, so it's a fairly minimal inclusion, by hey, it was national television! The segment is available on their website.

Yiii-haaa!

2008-08-19T16:50:00.003-04:00

I was recently in Phoenix for 3 weeks and shot a short piece about the rodeo. I've been looking through the footage and just thinking to myself, 'What possessed a grown man to get on a bull and think it's a good idea?' For one, a lot of alcohol.

Enjoy a couple of selects.

Tango for TV.

2008-08-19T16:28:00.002-04:00

While we're on the subject of books.

2008-07-25T12:26:00.007-04:00

One of my favorite photography books (and a recent indulgent purchase) is Habitat 7 by my good friend Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao. We studied together at SVA, and I saw him working on these images from the very beginning of the project. Needless to say, these images have a very special meaning to me as I've seen his development from a grad student, to winning the NY Times' 'Capture The Times' photo competition in 2005, to being represented by Julie Saul, to having a solo show at the Queen's Museum, to having a book published by one of the finest photography book publishers in the world, Nazreli Press. The images are truly breathtaking.

To me, Jeff's photography is an exercise in patience and a dedication to perfection. The Strand describes his process concisely: "The IRT "7" subway/rail line is one of the major arteries between Queens and Manhattan. Jeff Liao lives along its route, taking the train every day. In this, his first monograph, Liao presents images selected from his walks along the line's entire length where there was evidence of the "7," even if there was no train in sight. Eschewing the use of a panoramic camera, Liao, instead, makes several 8x10 negatives of the same scene and combines them digitally, taking up to 60 hours to complete one composition."

His photography is truly a genuine experience and I encourage everyone to explore his work.

Who needs Aperture...

2008-07-23T17:45:00.004-04:00

when one can self-publish online! These are images from my recent trip to North Carolina and a wonderful coffee table book for any photography enthusiast. BUY FRIENDS, BUY!

Family Vacation

photographs by Mar...

Book Preview

Hot times.

2008-07-23T15:28:00.003-04:00

Greetings from Phoenix. It might be considered a seemingly sweltering summer with daily highs of 106 degrees, but it's really not that bad. Low humidity keeps it feeling more like a sauna than a steam room (that is the East Coast at the moment).

This panorama is taken out the window of a moving car on highway 17 from Phoenix to Sedona.

Seagulls are not the rats of the sky...

2008-07-04T20:15:00.012-04:00

I think they're quite cute and so fun to shoot. We took the Cape Hatteras ferry to Oakracoke yesterday and I shot at least 100 images of seagulls alone. (I know... crazy!)

Life's a beach.

2008-07-02T12:32:00.010-04:00

Images from Corolla, North Carolina.

Who's gonna ride your wild horses...

2008-07-02T11:39:00.003-04:00

I've been vacationing in Carolla, North Carolina since Saturday as part of the Kessler July 4th family vacation. It's an exotic experience for me, as bizarre as that may seem. Never have I had a quintessential American vacation: being in an 8-bedroom rented beach home for a week with four generations of relatives. We cook, we lounge, we do yoga, we sit in the hot tub, we play cards, we take dips in the ocean, we contemplate go-cart racing, and (most exciting so far for me) we saw wild horses on the beach yesterday.

hmmm...

2008-06-24T18:19:00.003-04:00

I went to de-install my show from artomatic today. On my wall I discovered a poem left by an artist who also participated in the show:

DOLLS' EYES

To Marisa Marchitelli's art

See how these dolls awaken
To the idea they've been forsaken;
Once they dreamed of a little girl's love
But now their eyes are tearless and vacant.

Brash

Never has anyone dedicated a poem to me or my work before. I suspect I wasn't the only one, but it's still an unusual gesture. She left her email address. Should I write to her?

scuba dooby doo...

2008-06-24T10:23:00.004-04:00

Earlier this month, I took my second trip to the Keys this year for some scuba diving. I have a Sealife DC600 and while I curse the day this camera was conceived, and even more, the day that I thought purchasing it was a good idea, it has given me some tolerable videos. (A more in depth explanation will be subject for a future blog post.) Enjoy!

milonga triste

2008-06-23T19:22:00.003-04:00

This is a tango short that I produced, directed and edited.

A very special thanks to Carina Losano and Maximiliano Gonzalez for their talented tango skills, and the ever-lovely Dorita for her incredible presence and powerful voice. Also, my precious crew: Iwan, Olivia, Stefano, Chris, David, Tara and Yayo.

Fields of green...

2008-06-20T16:29:00.003-04:00

As 'done' as it may be I can never resist these cut and pasted panoramas.

Seeing double?

2008-06-20T12:13:00.008-04:00

I hadn't been back to Hong Kong for close to 6 years. It was the longest I had ever been away and was feeling nostalgic when my brother and I decided to visit in January. Of course, we wanted to do all the usual things: visit our school, go to our old homes, and we couldn't forget to pay a visit to Andy, our friend and trusted camera dealer since I was 5 years old.

Delon Photo is, and has always been, located in the bustling shopping mecca that is Ocean Centre. The store has made minor moves within the mall, and downsized considerably, but has never been a disappointment in terms of being a reliable resource for all the needs of a professional and amateur photographer alike.

I wasn't looking to make a purchase. I just wanted to visit an old friend. Andy has seen my love of photography blossom from the early years and when I mentioned I was considering a basic point-and-shoot camera, he presented me with two: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2K and the Leica D-Lux 3.

I was a little confused. I thought he was playing some sort of optical trick on me. Upon handling, they appeared to be the same camera. All of the features, buttons and screen size were identical. Besides the obvious superficial differences on the body, it was truly the same camera: the same aperture range, identical lens, 24-bit color depth, a manual (yes manual) focusing option with a joystick toggle (takes some getting used to), same iso sensitivity range, fully versatile exposure settings much like an SLR, 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios for video recording, multiple light metering options, RAW image capture possibilities, identical effective resolution of 10.2 megapixels...

I could go on, but I think you get the point (tee-hee... photo pun). And just look at it! It is adorably reminiscent of charming manual cameras of days gone by. What more can a 'serious' photographer hope for in a little toy to stick in your purse. Bottom line, the Leica is a little steep at $600, but the Lumix can be purchased for as little as $373.88 on amazon.com!

Best part is, Leica accessories are compatible so you needn't sacrifice this stylish leather pouch at the expense of saving a buck.

Like everything in life, there is one major downside to this camera Leica and Lumix alike: there is no underwater housing for it. Being an avid scuba diver, this is something I'm looking for in my dream pocket camera. Perhaps it will be released at the Photoplus Expo this fall. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Commission me.

2008-06-20T10:16:00.009-04:00

I've always loved to paint and draw in addition to taking photos. I often take photographs I've shot, and rework them into paintings. Never did I imagine I could make money from this. Somehow, the idea of it doesn't settle well with me.

After much berating, my good friend Brandon insisted that I take this photo of his fiancé's grandfather, and transform it into one of my characteristically yellow/red/high-contrast/acrylic creations. I think one of my issues with it is that I don't love every painting I make, and I have separation anxiety from those that I do. This painting, for example, misses me and wants to come home.

Now that I'm working on my forth commission I'm getting over it.

Why a routine googling of oneself is important.

2008-06-20T09:15:00.006-04:00

1. You realize that the pro-Palestine petition that an NYU hottie convinced you to sign in Washington Square might not have been the wisest decision.

2. You find yourself saying (on more than one occasion), 'Someone actually decided to post those photos of me online?'

3. You discover that one of your former students gave you a suspiciously positive online rating:

"Marisa is an excellent teacher with a great sense of humor. She chooses incredible photographs for lectures and always has some interesting commentary to go along with them. She encourages creativity, and pushes her students to improve their writing."

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité!!

2008-06-20T01:15:00.010-04:00

I'm about to take down I show I installed last month in Washington, DC. Artomatic is a yearly art event featuring multi-media work typically displayed in a huge raw space. It embraces art as a community, rejecting any type of social segmentation, or high society art culture. Anyone can participate, and no commission is taken from the artist. It's a complete anti-Chelsea model. While this results in exciting possibilities for artistic expression, the lack of curation can leave a viewer somewhat lost and confused when aimlessly navigating through 10 floors of random work. The key is patience, and a hand-held fan. (Strategically placed bars on certain nights also aid in the process.)

This year, the venue was a newly constructed, unfinished, office building on First Street, NE. I chose to embrace the salon-style ambiance, and use my 11 feet of drywall to the fullest. I included both paintings and photography. No frames, no fuss.

My 4 photographs are composite images of dolls from different ethnic backgrounds that mimic my own. They're digital c-prints that I had done at printspace and I couldn't have been more pleased with the result. The portraits are acrylic on canvas and are derived from my photography. The layout shown is to scale with the largest photograph sized at 30x60".

Media circus, literally.

2008-06-19T10:08:00.002-04:00

Every spring, New York is blessed with a bizarre and unusual event: the elephant walk. An awesome sight to those who have never seen it, a heard of elephants decked out in circus garb, parade the streets of Manhattan from Long Island City to Madison Square Garden where the circus performs. Mind you, this happens at about 1am on an average weeknight. Being the official Ringling Bros. photographer, I didn't have to run the streets, dodging other photographers and elephants alike. Instead, I rode on the lead pick-up truck and observed evil glares from the shooters on the ground.

SVA, revisited.

2008-06-18T16:27:00.001-04:00

I first moved to New York in August of 2003. I came to pursue my MFA in Photography, Video & Related Media at SVA. I had been living in Chiangmai, Thailand for 1.5 years prior, working successfully as a photography studio owner. At the end of the two-year program, I decided to stay in the 'big city' and pursue a career in the freelance world of photography and video.

Last night, SVA's Visual Arts Gallery hosted their annual MFA Thesis exhibition for my old department. I decided to attend. I hadn't been to the show last year so was excited to run into classmates I haven't seen for a while, and re immerse myself in all-things-photo.

I was eagerly greeted by the head of the department, Charles Traub. He gave me a hug and told me that he mentioned my thesis project to other students in the recent past. I felt honored that he remember a project that he hasn't seen for three years with such fondness.

For my thesis, I created a book in collaboration with Yolanda Cuomo called FAMILY ALBUM. It is a hand bound, self printed book featuring approximately 100 portraits of individuals from my family, extended family and social groups. I have a complicated background (Thai/Italian parents, grew up in Hong Kong and attended a French School), so as a result my family is quite spread out ethnically, economically and socially. Many of them don't even know about each other. The photographs were paired with text: writings of random tidbits of information from the day of each of the shoots. Melissa Harris of Aperture may not have deemed it of marketable value to be published, but it's my work and what I love to shoot.

ˈblog, ˈbläg'

2008-06-18T15:51:00.000-04:00

A Blog, according to Miriam Webster's online dictionary, is a short for 'web log'. It is a web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer. Michele convinced me today that I need such a outlet. Apparently, the static website portfolio is a thing of the virtual past. In an effort to avoid falling into a cyber-black hole, I was convinced that I had no choice.

I am Marisa. Welcome to my blog.