Blog

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Last Thursday we celebrated the opening of our latest exhibition, Traces of Time, at the NYC Space. The show consists of images taken by photographers and fellow travelers Varial and Fabrice Nadjari along their travels in the deserts and villages of Afghanistan.

Guests enjoyed the vibrant showcase of Impossible films alongside a video presentation of the artists’ journey. DJ Rodolphe filled the room with vinyl music, refreshments were generously provided by Brooklyn Brewery and Impossible photographers captured the night on the new PX100 COOL film.

Thank you to all who attended, and congratulations to the artists. Traces of Time will be on display at the Impossible Project NYC Space during regular open hours: Monday through Friday 11am–7pm and on Weekends 12pm–6pm until June 3rd. Don’t miss your chance to see it!

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As The Impossible Project NYC Space gears up for another busy month, we invite you to all of the following events! This Thursday celebrate the imaginative approach of Impossible explorers Varial and Fabrice Nadjari with the opening of Traces of Time, then follow up on their adventure at their Artist Talk later in the month. Don’t miss the rare and special duo of events with Italian maestro Maurizio Galimberti, and practice honing your skills with a classic camera at our upcoming SX-70 Workshop. Come and experience these very special events for yourself, or bring some friends to everything happening this month at the NYC Space!

Photo by Varial & Nadjari

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A Photographic Journey with the Afghan Pamiris

During July and August 2011, childhood friends and photographers Varial and Fabrice Nadjari traveled by foot to the North-Eastern part of Afghanistan armed with Polaroid cameras, Impossible films and solar powered scanners.

In the remote village of Kash Goz, they photographed mischievous Ismaili children, housewives, opium smokers, village chiefs and peasants. Each subject received their own portrait as a gift from the artists.

These portraits are what makes up “Traces of Time,” opening at The Impossible Project Space NYC alongside a video presentation of the artists’ journey from May 3 to June 3 2012 and on www.the-impossible-project.com. The opening reception will take place in presence of the artists with DJs and refreshments.

For more information about the artists’ experience, check out the story on The New York Times LENS blog or listen to their interview on NPR!

WHEN: THURSDAY MAY 3RD, 2012, 6PM-9PM
WHERE: Impossible Project NYC Space, 425 Broadway, Floor 5, NYC 10013
RSVP: rsvp@theimpossibleproject.com or call (212) 219-3254
OPEN HOURS: Mon–Fri 11am–7pm and Weekends 12pm–6pm
For further information, please visit the exhibition site.

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Just last night, we celebrated the opening reception of MOMENTUM at The Impossible Project NYC Space. To commemorate the event, we’re excited to begin a new series to the Impossible Blog, Artist in Residence! Every so often, we’ll feature an artist currently showcased in an exhibition in the NYC Space, delving deeper into their interpretation of the theme of the show and how they went about making the images included. This installment features the dreamy filter techniques of Clay Lipsky, who was kind enough to explain his techniques and experiences with the new PX70 Color Shade:

“When the Impossible Project invited me to shoot my interpretation of  “Momentum” I thought of a place full of life & movement…the beach. Having spent most of my life in Florida and California, beach culture is very close to my heart. I was inspired to capture the sunny spirit and frenetic energy set amongst the iconic palm trees and sea gulls. Additionally I wanted to do it in a style reminiscent of the classic poster art from “The Endless Summer.” The latest incarnation of Impossible’s PX 70 Color Shade was very stable and provided consistent exposures, so I decided to push it by utilizing colored filters to tint my exposures and make my images as graphic as possible…”

(Lengua)ge is a participatory piece by NYC artist Ana Marva Fernandez on display for Unhappy Readymade, a group show about instructions curated by Jessica Hamlin and Sarah MacWright.

(Lengua)ge involves viewer participation, asking visitors to the gallery to rearrange five objects in a provocative manner, then take an instant snapshot and pin it on the wall. The idea is for participants to enact a transformation of meaning by arranging the objects. The process mirrors the shift in meaning that words undergo when they are arranged in a sentence, especially when more than one language is at play.

Ana will be using Impossible PX 680 Color Shade film during the exhibition’s opening reception, which will be held on January 25th from 5-7 PM…

(More after the jump!)

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This past Thursday, we were so grateful to celebrate the opening of Oskar Landi’s Also in India exhibition at the NYC Space! With his debut show at Impossible, Landi portrays the country through dry image transfers of original Type 679 Polaroid film, revealing imperfections and faint colors reminiscent of early photographic processes and hand coloring techniques. Attendees took in the many textures of India as portrayed by the artist and enjoyed delicious artisan chocolate from FINE & RAW!

Those wishing to see the exhibition may visit the Impossible NYC Space any time during store hours: Monday through Friday 11am–7pm and on Weekends 12pm–5pm until February 9th. Thanks so much (and congratulations!) to Oskar and everyone who attended!

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Photobooth, the world’s only Tintype and Polaroid portrait studio, exhibited our good friend and fellow Impossible photographer Brandon Long last Friday, January 6th, and Brandon has been kind enough to share a sneak peek of his SX-70 shots with those of us that couldn’t be in San Francisco!

See more of Brandon Long’s dreamy portraits on his flickr!

Amassing four separate worldwide journeys over the past decade, Oskar Landi translates multiple communities of India with a unique visual language, when discovery through spoken word was insufficient. Landi was born and raised in Italy and has lived and worked in New York since 1998. His personal projects have been recognized by the International Photo Awards and Prix de la Photographie Paris as well as numerous publications worldwide.

On Thursday, January 12th, Oskar Landi’s “Also in India” opens on the south wall at The Impossible Project Space NYC. With “Also in India,” Landi portrays the country through dry image transfers of original Type 679 Polaroid film, revealing imperfections and faint colors reminiscent of early photographic processes and hand coloring techniques. Conditions such as uncontrollable humidity, heat, dust and expired photographic chemicals caused unexpected but enchanting consequences even for the artist. The resulting exhibition is a visual introduction to the rich cultures of India dependent on Landi’s astounded curiosity.

Oskar Landi – Also in India
At The Impossible Project Space NYC
January 12, 2012 – February 9, 2012

More after the jump…

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On Thursday, December 15th, Impossible’s NYC Space hosted an opening event for an exhibition featuring instant artworks by Claire Oring and Foster Huntington. The exhibition celebrates the collaboration between Impossible and Urban Outfitters, long a supporter of Impossible’s mission.

The turnout was fantastic, with guests admiring the photographs on display and enjoying drinks. We also shot plenty of photos ourselves, both digital and Impossible images taken with the new PX 100 UV+ film!

The Urban Outfitters x Impossible Project exhibition will be on display through January 11th, 2012. Please come by the NYC Space to see the art, and be sure to visit your local Urban Outfitters store, where you can now find Impossible film and select camera kits for sale!

From December 2nd, 2011 through January 4th, 2012, Portland, Oregon-based photographer, writer and television producer Ann McGarry will be exhibiting some of her best instant film photography at Albina Press Hawthorne in Portland.

Ann provided us with a bit of information about herself and her upcoming exhibit…

“Starting with my first 600 camera in San Jose, California and my first Spectra and Land Camera in Los Angeles, I continue to take photos with a menagerie of old, beat-up and much-beloved Polaroid cameras in sunny Portland, Oregon…

(More after the jump!)

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Last Thursday, The Impossible Project NYC Space held an opening for LIPS, a new solo exhibition by the talented Chloe Aftel. Trained as a filmmaker, Chloe’s background reveals itself in the series as she creates a micro narrative through her studied close up portraits of 10 different woman’s mouths. Executing the luscious series on The Impossible Project’s PX 70 PUSH! film, she shows the versatility and subtle tones of one of our earliest color films.

Ms. Aftel was available throughout the duration of the opening to talk about her work and answer questions. Friends of Chloe and Impossible came together to celebrate the exhibit, drink wine and take in the brilliant new work gracing the South Wall of the Impossible NYC Space.

LIPS will be on display in the New York Project space until December 13th.

Texas artist and friend of Impossible Mia Moreno will be displaying a mixture of illustration and instant film imagery as part of her BFA show at the University of Texas at El Paso’s Glass Gallery, running from October 27th through November 3rd.

“These Tender Hooks” is Mia’s first solo show, and will contain some of her best photography using Polaroid films and Impossible’s PX 70 Push!, PX 680, PZ 680 and PZ 600 Black Frame films.

An opening reception will be held at the Glass Gallery on the evening of the 27th from 5 to 7PM. Tell all of your southwestern friends to show their support of Mia and Impossible by visiting this beautiful collection of instant images.

Alicia (2010) by Chloe Aftel

Jennifer Schwartz Gallery is proud to present Instant Gratification, a showcase of instant film photography, featuring photographs by Chloe Aftel, Sol Allen, David Walter Banks, Kendrick Brinson, Amber Fouts, Grant Hamilton, Mikael Kennedy, John Reuter and Magnus Stark. This exhibition will explore the magic of instant film by displaying different artists’ approach to the material, from “straight” imagery to the very abstract.

Gallery owner Jennifer Schwartz says, “in recent years there has been a revival of instant film, and photographers have learned to embrace the film’s inherent imperfections to create striking, innovative images.”

On Friday, October 14th, David Bias, vice president of Impossible USA and a die-hard instant film lover, will talk about the mission, challenges and successes of The Impossible Project. The lecture starts at 7 P.M. at Big Studio in the King Plow Arts Center and is sponsored by Atlanta Celebrates Photography, Big Studio and Jennifer Schwartz Gallery…

(More after the jump!)

Friend of Impossible and extremely talented photographer Jessica Hibbard Elenstar is currently showing some of her most beautiful Impossible Project PZ 600 UV+, PZ 680 and Polaroid Softtone images as part of The Spectra Show, her first solo exhibit.

Says Jessica, “In the age of digital everything, many people ask why I choose to shoot film. I could go on forever, but I’ll try to answer briefly: I’m drawn to the beauty of vintage cameras, the warmth of film, and the uniquely imperfect nature of each image.”

“The Spectra Show” will be on display at the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce through October 28th, 2011.

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Last Thursday night, September 29th, marked the opening of our new exhibition at the NYC Impossible Project Space. Several of the submitting artists, including Rommel Pecson, Dustin Yager, Toby Hancock and Brandon Long were present, as were numerous friends and Impossible supporters. Check out our images taken that night, and be sure to stop by the gallery to see the exhibition if you’re in New York City!

When Impossible embarked on its mission to save analog instant photography from extinction, people worldwide thought they’d said farewell to their beloved film and cameras. Thinking “outside the lines,” using new, innovative solutions and materials, Impossible was able to successfully create new instant film.

The Impossible Project challenged 14 outstanding photographers to create images on PX 680 FF Color Shade film expressing their personal interpretation of the phrase, “Outside The Lines”.

The photographers include Adam Goldberg, John Reuter, Brandon Long, Dustin Yager, Chloe Aftel, Andrea Jenkins, Sol Allen, Max Wanger, Benjamin Shuster, Parker Fitzgerald, Rommel Pecson, Toby Hancock, Ritchard Ton and Leah Reich.

Their breathtaking results will be on display at the Impossible Project Space NYC from September 29th, 2011 through January 31st, 2012 at the Impossible Project Space NYC – 425 Broadway, 5th Floor

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Last night, Impossible and the Ace Hotel kicked off their collaboration with an exhibition opening party at the hotel. Participating artists and the Impossible US team, along with many friends, were in attendance. People mingled, cameras flashed and tangible memories developed, all set to a soundtrack provided by DJ Huggy Bear.

The exhibition will be up through October 14th, so make sure you drop by to take in these beautiful photos that are a testament to the fact that analog is alive and well.

To purchase the special, limited edition Ace Hotel Camera Kit, please CLICK HERE

Continuing the series of Impossible Art Works featured on the South Wall at the New York City Impossible Project Space, we are proud to present French born photographer Bruce Soyez-Bernard and his latest work, entitled “Ensemble #1, #2, #3, #4.”

Currently based in New York, Bruce began as a photojournalist in Africa for two years before transitioning into Beauty and Fashion photography in Paris and New York for prestigious clients such as Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Schwarzkopf.

These four composite pieces, called “Ensemble,” are a continuation of Soyez-Bernard’s photographic work on the body. Finding inspiration in shapes, skin texture, color and light. Taking several images with different crops and levels, the frames are then re-united, the body put back together, or part of the body, as a final collage.

While using The Impossible Project’s film range, Bruce pursues this process with a focus on the film grain, format and the “happy accidents” of this specific instant medium to create impressive life-size abstract pieces.

More after the jump…

Carl Gambrell and Rob Kimmel created UnMap to explore urban places, rich in their own history and culture, that are drowned out by larger, more celebrated neighborhoods. Their first and exhibited foray was into Queens. While Brooklyn has challenged Manhattan’s regional crown, asserting itself over the past couple of decades, the other boroughs, home to millions, remain largely in shadow. Gambrell and Kimmel have both lived in New York City for a decade and a half, but neither of them had ever ventured too far into Queens. With UnMap, they spent a month wandering this “dark borough,” both eating and photographing their way through it.

From now until July 31st, visit the Impossible NYC Space to view Gambrell and Kimmel’s UnMap, shot on both Impossible and Polaroid Spectra films around New York City’s Queens borough.

UnMap Queens Opening Reception
The Impossible NYC Space
425 Broadway, 5th Floor
New York NY 10013

Thursday, July 28th from 6PM-8PM