Dear Friends:

You know that you are doing something right when the day after the festival your email box is flooded with congratulations and criticism in equal order, google search notices, and word that many of your artists are about to have their works acquired/represented by major institutions, collectors and galleries.  I am especially moved by the personal congrats from my heroines like Kathy Ryan, Michelle McNally, and Elizabeth Biondi. 

It is all a little bit unbelievable actually, especially when you think that only 6 months ago Daniel and I were seriously considering canceling the festival due to the economic meltdown and the disappearance of major sponsorship.  Despite all of the warning signs of impending disaster, we decided that “the show must go on” and what a performance it has turned out to be.  Despite the increasing disruptions in the fine art and editorial business, visitor turnout this year was on par with last year, with a tiny sliver of an increase, which was way beyond our expectations.

That we have been able to mount a substantially more successful, better organized, and provocative festival during a massive recession is a testimony to all who participated in making this idea a reality.  That our artists are receiving the kind of response and attention that they are getting, so quickly, is exactly why we created NYPH in the first place. 

Daniel and I cannot thank Jon, Bill, Jody and Chris enough for the enormity of their curatorial talents and their powerful and provocative collaborations with their artists.  The duality inherent in their exhibitions, ensures that the after-taste will linger far longer than their viewers realize.  Like Trojan Horses, each of their shows harbor provocative ideas, which will continue to fester, unnerve and reveal themselves over time.  

“I don’t Know What Kind of Girl I am” by Jody Quon, “Home for Good” by Jon Levy, “Gay Men Play” by Chris Boot and “All Over the Place” by William A. Ewing – these powerful exhibitions can now assume their rightful place alongside Kathy Ryan’s “Chisel“, Martin Parr’s “New Typologies“, Lesley A. Martin’s “The Ubiquitous Image” and Tim Barbers’ “Various Photographs“.  Eight powerful Ideas which collectively contribute to our understanding of Contemporary Photography, featuring rigorous bodies of works by over 70 international artists (and well over 300 if we include all of the single images in Tim Barber’s exhibition “Various Photographs”).  Scholarship, Ideas and Discovery are the core attributes of the New York Photo Festival, and our eight curators have delivered handsomely on the mission. 

While we will continue the Curator-driven approach, I also recognize the emergence of something new and wholly unexpected within the NYPH construct.  While Sundance has its Slamdance, a vibrant staging ground for independent filmmaking talent, it is already clear that our very own Satellite program is giving birth to exceptionally strong, new curatorial voices that is thrilling to behold.  Congratulations to Véronique, Adriana, Meaghan, Marla, Rachel, Willy and Patrick, not to mention the folks at the Tierney Fellowship, Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, Redux and Eyemazing.  Thank you for your courage, initiative, visions, and commitment to your artists.  The impact of your collaborations was felt loud and clear at NYPH’09, and frankly speaks volumes about what we can expect to see from you and your organizations in the years to come.  Ride on!

From the moment that we decided to take the plunge into the unknown, we knew that the outcome depended not on the realities of the moment, the plunging stock market, the lack of traditional corporate sponsorship and the benevolence of patrons, but upon the bedrock of support that our indefatigable team brought to the table.  NYPH’09 would NOT have happened without the early involvement of Sam, Anna, Viviana, David, Emily, Tami, and the later addition to this star lineup of Eli and Katie.  Happening is one thing, happening with efficiency, grace, class and quality is a whole other thing.  It has been a pleasure to learn a thing or two (or three) from this plucky crew of “never say never” and “yes can do”.  You guys have made the difference, and that difference has now resulted in tens of thousands of people being exposed to amazing new works and ideas.  I am humbled by what you have done this year, you should be very proud, and this festival is a testimony to your abilities to positively impact the world.  Thank you, and thanks also to the entire pH team, especially Viviana, Orkan, Sofia, Natascha, Elia, Chaz, Amy, Will, Craig Mathis, Wes, Craig, Sara, Brent, Kiki, and all the killer volunteers.  NYPH is very lucky to have pH as partners in this crazy enterprise called the New York Photo Festival.  Partners are those who show up when you are down and in trouble, and Daniel, Susanne and the pH crew are the friends you need, when you are in need.

So, all’s well that ends well, or so the saying goes.  NYPH’09 will forever be defined as a statement about the triumph of the will, the tenacity of the committed, and what happens when the imperatives of art preempts the reality of economics.

As I shut down my computer and board my plane back to Los Angeles, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement about NYPH’10.  The future of contemporary photography seems very bright indeed.

See you all next time. 

Frank Evers

Co-Chair/Co-Founder, New York Photo Festival