littlenova

@rama: I am surprised at your rejection from UNM...But, who cares if you get to go to YALE!!!! Bard sent out rejection emails already. My close friend got hers last week...So that may be a good sign.

@fattyrabbit: Really nice blog. The pictures of your grandmother at the park and Cynthia by the sink are my favorites...The lighting is just yummy.

Thnx, guys. Now, I'm on to worrying about this interview. *referring to our trusty "list" over the weekend

MICA!!!! Shortlist/Interview for 2 programs. It was my top pick and she said they think "very highly" of my work. Can't...breath.

MICA!!!!!!! interview/short list

@Rama: Maybe you have already heard of this... I once had to interview in person for a freelance job and my friend turned me on to Archival Methods, a store that has all kinds of archival presentation stuff. Some of what they carry is expensive,but some of it might be really reasonable and will protect your work---especially if you have large format prints. They have everything from protectors to boxes and stuff.

I make short films and present them with master images. (large and medium format C-prints) Here is a sampling of some of my work from 2009. http://www.flickr.co...s/47599243@N05/ I am staying anonymous, because I am also applying for grants right now. And don't want my correspondence on the forum to be found through search engines---so to speak. Probably being silly....but, cautious.

@mnchick: Love your work!!!! Love, love, love. **gush** I will try to create a flickr account so you can see mine. I'd like to keep my name anonymous until the process is over, so I am not posting a link to my site. But, stay tuned for flickr.

@betty: I didn't apply to MICA Design, but my friend did and she said they were pushing back the application deadline to Feb. 15th. I wonder if this, along with the weather, has dragged out their process. I spoke with someone today and MICA Photo has not even reviewed all the work yet. Keep hope alive!!! lol.

@culprit: Warning. This is a forum...Opinions come with the territory. Doug Dubois is huge to me. (See my other posts about how much I love Syracuse, etc...) I would not discount Yale, though...(Incidentally, Doug Dubois has shown there alot and has been a visiting professor there several times.) It is all about the work...and some AMAZING young photo talent has come out of Yale: Angela Strassheim Jen Davis Seyeon Yun and one of my all time heroes...Anna Gaskell. Yale's name means nothing to me. I don't even care about their "rankings", but I would not label them as a bunch of Crewdson parrots. Some people on this board applied there, and I hope they get in. It's an amazing program. I don't attribute that to Greg Crewdson alone... but the entire department, their proximity to NY art fairs and their funding. They have consistently good work. Here is more of my bloated opinion (since you seem to love debate): You should already be doing this kind of work if you are applying to an MFA program. If you are...then don't call yourself an ex-photojournalist. Call yourself an artist and distance yourself from journalism. Embrace the moments where it was more than an assignment in your portfolio and...there is your voice. If you are successful, you will get into an amazing program---and nothing else will matter.

@RKSlim: Oh...sorry. I love your work, btw... I only made the connection to Koons because of the whole "kitsch meets craft" kind-of-pop commentary that happens in your sculptures. Really great...(Is it weird that I went to your site?) And maybe he doesn't influence your work directly but, maybe that peer dialogue that spawns from his work does. Another question I love that I have been asked is "What are your indirect influences?" i.e. artists from other disciplines, music, books, etc. Sometimes we find these grains of inspiration from very unlikely places.

Hmmm....Getting nervous... MICA-no response (other departments are reporting, though.) VCU-no response, but I did get a call that other departments are interested in viewing my work (film) and my friend who is a student there mentioned an interview looks "likely". GMU-acceptance verbally and fellowship consideration; waiting on written acceptance with aid package AIB-interview MECA-no response waiting worrying waiting stinks.

@mnchick/rama: This question is the bane of my existence. lol... I think we should almost start a new thread, because I'd love to see what other people are saying as well...Asking this...sort of sprouts even more questions about how your background influences the perception, reception and display of your work. Where do I fall into art history? It's almost like asking why my work is important....? You can say you respond to X. But, my professor used to ask me why that response was important. This is where it gets hard for me. @ RK Slim: So many great points...This is definitely a question about the world you are responding to and Jeff Koons couldn't be farther from my world but I can see that connection in your work. lol! So, yeah...excellent point about how your influences really kind of birth your frame of reference. Here's how I *nervously* answered Boston: (Please do not make fun of me.) Random quote to deflect my anxiety...which bought me more time to think of how to answer. I like what Tacita Dean once said when she was asked a similar question…She said, “I don’t belong to a particular school. My work resides in the truth of the moment and the sensibilities of the individual.” "Your question is bullshit", I think to myself. I don’t concern myself very much with making a certain kind of photography or what contemporary movement of art I belong to, but I am interested in solidifying my own point of view and the truth in that moment. I did cite some specific influences that sort of paved that point of view. From women in photography to moments in my life that changed the way I saw the world. Then I spoke briefly about the theoretical vein of my work as a response to these influences; what new territory I'd like to tread on, etc. Rebirth of Romantic Conceptualism Spiritualizing my immediate relationships and life events Considering my Latin identity and how it informs the stories I tell The interviewer was highly responsive and asked me about a particular exhibition I had in Miami and I mentioned where I went to school and the artists I exhibit with because, I do feel we share a kindred aesthetic and have similar concerns. That was about it. It was painless....until I played it over in my head 100 times. hahaha

@mnchick: See?! I told you..I hate that question. It's such a trap. I had an interview at Boston last week and they just asked me the same thing. Plus, like I mentioned before, VCU threw that curve in their essay requirement. To make you relax...I don't know you and have not seen your work.... but... Your interviews/decisions from schools so far are really amazing for someone right out of undergrad. They have to know that while your work is probably first rate----maybe you are still young (that's a guess) and are formulating your point of view. I would not worry. Work trumps all of it. I really believe that. Relax and be yourself. You are obviously doing something right!

That would be interesting since they just sent me an email saying the application deadline has been pushed back to Feb 15th.

Absolutely.

I dunno. I think it might be difficult to stay relevant in the field of photography without fully appreciating contemporary fine art photography. (more conceptually driven projects like the ones you see in programs like Yale...) I think commercial media, even photojournalism, evolves from what's happening in the art world. I just did a residency with a photographer that works alot for National Geographic and Time magazines but, got his MFA doing more conceptual work. He has a broad fine arts background. He brings this sensitivity to his commercial work and is quite successful at it. I would describe him as an artist first who happens to take on commercial projects. I mean, the whole structure of an MFA program is to explore the theoretical vein of lens-based media. If you are "moving into the Fine Art side" then, Yale is sort of indicative of where art is right now. There are some programs that are more accepting of documentary style work: ICP-They offer lots of continuing education... They also offer an MFA...but, again,the program with Bard is HIGHLY conceptual. SVA-Social Documentary MFA RIT-Less emphasis on conceptual work SCAD-Less emphasis on conceptual work I think there is a way to shoot documentary style work in a really significant way...Here are some standouts to me: Daniel Traub Dawoud Bey http://vervephoto.wordpress.com/

You guys have to remember the weather has closed alot of places down on the east coast. (Chicago, NYC, DC, MD, MA) It might take some time. Stay positive. MICA gave out notifications in March last year. (I hope to Gawd they don't do that this year...)

Mnchick: Congrats! Yale is HUGE. You should be dancing....hahahaha

Atumble: Thanks this is helpful...I have answers for most of these...(I also researched from friends who applied in years past) but, I always have a hard time with this question: VCU asks this in their personal statement and a few other places have asked this when I applied for grants and residencies. ? Without name dropping your influences, I imagine this questions your direct point of view,practice, etc. ? I think "schools" and "movements" are how alot of non-artists coin what we do. It feels like curator speak...ya know? Every artist statement, bio and paper I have ever read by an artist always seems to address specific concerns and how they relate to your practice. I have a minor in Art History and can write a decent paper. But, I feel like that question is a trap. I professor of mine (who is super "it" I might add) used to say that when you start to look around too much and begin talking too much---you lose the illusion, you lose your own way. I dont' want to be evasive...but, I also am not going to spit out a bunch of hot air if I don't mean it.

@mbadger: Dang! SAIC was quick, too,huh? My friend got an interview this week. They are not messing around...I imagine schools like MICA or the ones effected by the blizzard will probably take alot longer to report. Everything is closed here and won't be up until the end of the week...Then, we have a holiday Monday...Ugh! Waiting sucks.

@Shutterbug: Bummer. Sorry, man. I know that feeling. It's a feeling we all can relate to at some point in our careers---even after this grad-school process. (residencies, funding, grants...Rejection is part of our business, right?) Sometimes it's just not in the cards. Don't let it effect your work or your hope for finding the right program, though! Still so early in the game... Almost bizarre that you found out so soon! (It almost makes me wonder if it was something like a formality in paperwork or something?) We'll cross our fingers for the schools that haven't reported yet!

@Shutterbug: SHUT.UP!!!!!!!!!!I love his work. I actually might apply there. I'd have to rustle up another batch of recommendation letters last minute...but....MIGHT BE WORTH IT. I think he is amazing. I have never heard of that school, though. That scares me a bit. Something to definitely think about, though. Thank you so much!!!! Regarding the teaching topic: Ya know...I sometimes teach darkroom lab at a local community college. I have 4 good friends that went to top programs and all got teaching positions after college. Almost all were adjunct positions. Tenured positions are few and far between. If your work is strong, I think finding adjunct positions are pretty doable. Most of my friends scrape by with grants, freelance and other arts opportunities in addition to teaching. That being said, I really don't think the main goal for an MFA candidate should be to teach. I think you have to make a name for yourself...contribute to your field. Teaching becomes a natural progression in your career. It's getting more and more competitive, because the art business is booming and MFAs are on the rise. (Unlike 10 years ago, when many of our undergrad professors may have started their careers.) Universities want to see fat CVs with meaningful experience. I always say that my decision to get an MFA is not career-driven...but, more a time to solidify my direction as an artist. We could probably make twice the money doing commercial work. I see a long road ahead with not very much monetary compensation. But, I can't see myself doing anything else.

@Jojobee: I am really nervous, too. The sucky thing is...Many of my programs aren't getting back to people until MARCH. bleh. I think I might spontaneously combust before then.lol.

@ Shutterbug: Abe Morell's work is INSANE! I love his camera obscura stuff....Never knew he taught at MassArt! Awesome!! Good luck!!! I found BARD and MECA to have excellent photo faculty. Many of them have taught at Hunter and Columbia. That being said, they are HIGHLY conceptual programs and do not look at the media in a traditional way. AIB's program is really not a photo program at all. They are doing more stuff with installation and video...but, I really liked that. AIB was sort of my "backup" school. Teaching experience wasn't a factor in my decision, because I find that your exhibition record and body of work opens way more doors. I have been teaching at the community college for 2 years and I think...it's about the work...almost everywhere. To each his own, ya know...I mean, what really constitutes a good program for one may not be the best for another. A list would be great, but really...You should see the faculty's work....the work coming out of the school...and see if it's a good fit for you. For example, I make really personal work. My work isn't political or trendy...it's highly personal. If I could go ANYWHERE without the limitations of geography or like money or whatever....I would go to Syracuse. That program is unbelievable. The work is so good. Doug Dubois is a big hero of mine. And Lightwork is right there. I even think I would rather go there over a top program. I mean, for me. That place would fit the kind of work I'd like to see myself doing more of. But, that might be a weird choice to some. US News does not dictate where you fit into a program or the kind of work you want to be making.