Richard Renaldi, Photographer

Aleathia says:

A week or so ago something ran through my FB feed.  You know how it goes...a constant stream of videos and meems and political opinions.  Mostly I skip over things if I look at all anymore.  It can be a complete mind suck at times.  However, there was a video posted from a major news network about a photographer named Richard Renaldi who went around the country taking pictures of strangers, together.

The concept is to place two or more complete strangers walking down the street in a photo together and have it seem as if they know each other.  The anxiety around this concept is palpable to me.  I can put myself in their places and understand what it must be like to put all of your beliefs and values...all your prejudices aside for a few moments and take this picture.

Many times these articles don't stick with me long enough to bring them to you.  Many times it is only momentarily inspiring, fleeting.  But I have been thinking about these photos, about these people and thought it would be something more people should see.

Richard Renaldi is a Chicago native who obtained a BFA in Photography from New York University. He has had his work shown all over the world and this year he was named a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fund Fellow.  You can visit his website for a listing of his shows and access to more of his collections.

Now I am proud to present some of Richard Renaldi's photographs from "Touching Strangers":

Andrea and Lillie, Chicago, 2013

Annalee and Rayqa, San Francisco, 2012

Chris and Amaira, Chicago, 2013

Ekeabong and Andrew, Venice, 2013

Elaine and Arly, New York, 2012

Hunter, Margaret, and Abigail, New York, 2013

Tari, Shawn, and Summer, Los Angeles, 2012

Art Bomb-2/27/2015 Leonard Nimoy Tribute

Aleathia says:

This afternoon I heard Michael say, "This was a day all Trekkies knew would come, eventually." Since I have known Michael he has been heavily into Star Trek.  He can watch it for days without end, owns memorabilia, books, films etc.  He has never called himself a Trekkie despite knowing it was true.  Today, on the death of Leonard Nimoy, he admits this.

Yes, we have lost Spock.  He was a sci-fi hero, a singer, a photographer, a director, actor, and family man.  I remember watching him as a child with my grandmother.  She was the only one in the house that liked sci-fi.  I remember loving his character's very calculated way of speaking.  I remember spending many hours training my fingers to split in just the right way so I too could "Live Long and Prosper".  I later used these talents to also be able to Na-noo, Na-noo.  But that, my friends, is a horse of a different color.

Today at The Forked Road we shall remember Leonard Nimoy, but not for his adventures in space, but for his work as a photographer.

He shockingly did a series on large bodied women called The Full Body Project that was at the same time tasteful and inspiring.  It allows that just because someone is overweight does not mean they are not intelligent and beautiful and useful to society.  It gives these women a moment to shine and stand proud.

Nimoy also did another photography series called Secret Selves which looks at the lost or hidden self. The idea was that people would share who or what they always wanted to be by way of photograph.  I love this idea of being able to set a secret free.

It is a solemn day in our house.  My best friend has lost a friend, not just a character.  Thank you Leonard Nimoy for all that you have done for so many generations.  Thank you for letting children and adults open their minds and believe that we can achieve great connection with a little effort.  We shall see you in the afterlife my friend.  Live Long and Prosper.