Unless You Will - Issue 4 Now Online

The new issue of the online webzine Unless You Will went live yesterday and contains some really nice work. I am honored to have a selection of images from my series The Family Dig included alongside photography from:

Carlos & Jason Sanchez, Jari Silomäki, Jean Claude Delalande, Rip Hopkins, Trinidad H. Carrillo, Brendan George Ko, Phil Toledano, Francesco Millefiori and Daniel Glazer









You can view the issue here, or download the PDF here.

52 Editions

There is an image from my series The Family Dig available for purchase through 52 Editions, a Los Angeles-based organization that promotes the collecting of affordable contemporary photography.


"Rug, 2008"
© Ben Alper

8.5"x11" Archival Pigment Print
Limited Edition of 275

$45.00 Unframed
$125.00 Framed

Anyone interested in purchasing a print, should visit website for more information.

Website Update & Print Sale!

Untitled # 4 (From Pixel Portraits)
© Ben Alper

Hi Friends,

I wanted to let you all know that I just launched my newly redesigned website. Additionally, I've added a new project entitled Pixel Portraits and a collection of vernacular photographs under the moniker Found.

Also, in an effort to fund the production of a few upcoming projects, I am offering 6 images from my series The Family Dig as affordable limited edition prints. Visit the "Print Sale" page for further information.

Spread the word

Website Update

I just wanted to let everyone know that I recently updated my website with some new images from my series The Family Dig. You can view them here. Comments and feedback are appreciated!



Basement, 2009

Image © Ben Alper

Issue 2 of Ahorn Magazine Now Online!

The second issue of Ahorn Magazine went live today. I am honored to have my series The Family Dig featured alongside all of the truly wonderful images and writing presented. Issue 2 also includes:

Nicola Kast's series How Can We Be So Different?, an interview with Andrea Diefenbach, Ian Aleksander Adams' essay On Fear and Photography, Adam Bell's review of Bertrand Fleuret's Landmasses and Railways, Shawn Gust's review of Alec Soth's Dog Days Bogotá, Daniel Shea's review of Robert Adams' seminal book The New West (recently reissued by Aperture) and an exploration of Magdalena Fischer's Things Unnecessary.

Daniel Augschoell and Anya Jasbar are doing wonderful things with Ahorn and I would thoroughly recommend showing your support by visiting the site! They also accept submissions on a rolling basis, so, if you're interested in submitting work you can find the guidelines here.

-Ben Alper

The 11th Annual Postcards From The Edge Benefit

On January 9 & 10, Metro Pictures will host the 11th Annual Postcards From The Edge Benefit. There will be over 1,500 original, postcard-sized works of art on view/for sale. In addition, all works are democratically priced at $75 a piece.

Also, both Anastasia Cazabon and I will have pieces hanging for the benefit. We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to share a wall with so many incredible artists. Confirmed artists include:

Vito Acconci, David Armstrong, John Baldessari, Barton Lidice Benes, Nayland Blake, Ross Bleckner, Patty Chang, Marcel Dzama, Tony Feher, Adam Fuss, Ann Hamilton, Jane Hammond, Arturo Herrera, Alfredo Jaar, Emily Jacir, Jeff Koons, Louise Lawler, Glenn Ligon, Kalup Linzy, Robert Longo, McDermott & McGough, Barry McGee, Julie Mehretu, Marilyn Minter, Slava Mogutin, Yoko Ono, Catherine Opie, Paul Pfeiffer, Jack Pierson, Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Joel Shapiro, Kate Shepherd, Cindy Sherman, Kiki Smith, Annie Sprinkle, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Kara Walker, John Waters, Carrie Mae Weems, William Wegman, Lawrence Weiner, T.J. Wilcox, Fred Wilson and many, many, many more.

For anyone unfamiliar with the mission of this unique benefit, the statement below should clear everything up:

"Postcards From the Edge is a Visual AIDS benefit show and sale of original, postcard-sized works on paper by established and emerging artists. All works are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The works are signed on the back and exhibited so the artists' signatures cannot be seen. While buyers receive a list of all participating artists, they don't know who created which piece until purchased.

All proceeds support the work of Visual AIDS, utilizing contemporary art for AIDS advocacy and historicizing the work of HIV-positive artists while offering career support."

11th Annual Postcards From The Edge Benefit
Metro Pictures
519 West 24th Street
New York, NY

Benefit Sale -- ONE DAY ONLY!
Saturday, January 10, 2009 from 11:00 - 7:00
$5, suggested admission
Over 1,500 original postcard-sized works of art.
$75 EACH. Buy 4 cards and get 1 free!
First-come, first served.

Preview Party
Friday, January 9, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Your only chance to get a sneak peek at the entire show. No sales but one lucky winner will select any postcard! $75 admission includes one raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets $20. Participating artists attend free.

Hope to see you there!

-Ben Alper

The Launch of Wassenaar

The first issue of Noel Rodo-Vankeulen's Wassenaar went live today. I am honored to have work included in this inspiring new publication, which is comprised of Solo Shows from:

Julia Baum, Alexander Binder, Gustav Gustafsson, Michael Bühler-Rose, Misha de Ridder, and Andrés Marroquín Winkelmann

and Domesticity Redux, a group show with photographs by:

Ben Alper, Matthew Crowther, Stefanie Fiore, Elizabeth Fleming, Lee Gainer, Erin Nelson, Donald Rasmussen, Justin James Reed, Sean Stewart, Helen Stuhr-Rommereim, Tribble & Mancenido, and Paris Visone.

Additionally, there is an interview with Lina Scheynius by Johanna Reed and a number of contemporary photography book reviews. I highly recommend visiting the Wassenaar website and spending some time with the photographs and writing. Also, Wassenaar's sister site, Projects, should be online any day now so make sure to you check back for further details. Below are a sampling of the images from Wassenaar 01:

















From Top To Bottom:

Stefanie Fiore

Misha de Ridder

Helen Stuhr-Rommereim

Donald Rasmussen

Andrés Marroquín Winkelmann

Alexander Binder

Gustav Gustafsson

All Images © The Artists

Upcoming Auctions

Exposure Project members Ben Alper and Anastasia Cazabon will have work for sale in a few upcoming photographic auctions. The In-Sight Photography Project, a Vermont based organization, provides a creative outlet through the visual art of photography for the youth of Windham County, Vermont regardless of their ability to pay.

ARTcetera is a biennial contemporary art auction created and supported by a unique partnership between the visual arts community and AIDS Action Committee. This year, ARTcetera features 246 works of contemporary art donated by artists working in a variety of media.

The In-Sight Photography Projects 10th Annual Silent Auction
Friday, October 3 - Wednesday, October 29
45 Flat Street, Brattleboro, Vermont 05301

ARTcetera
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Boston Center for the Arts/Cyclorama
539 Tremont Street, Boston

Both of these auctions benefit excellent causes, so if you're in the New England area and want to support these organizations, think about investing in some contemporary art.

Work In Progress: New Photographs By Ben Alper

Here are a few new photographs from a project I am currently working on that explores the often eerie dislocation of the domestic experience.













All Images © Ben Alper

Flak Photo

Andy Adams over at Flak Photo has been kind enough to post one of my photographs as Today's Flak Photo. He has cultivated a wonderful resource for photographers with Flak Photo. If you don't already, you should regularly visit the website for exposure to new artists and projects. Additionally, Andy is a photographer himself. Below is one of his images.



Photograph from the series Great Water: Landscape Views Along Lake Michigan

Image © Andy Adams

At Long Last...

I have finally restructured and updated my website. It was a somewhat laborious process, but the results are quite rewarding. I would love some feedback on the work/site if anyone is willing to offer it. Thanks!
-Ben Alper

Sunroom, Watertown, MA 2008

Image © Ben Alper

Mass Art's All School Show

For anyone in the Boston area, this week marks the commencement of Mass Art's All School Show. Selections from the photography department will be on view in the Arnheim Gallery from Monday the 24th through Thursday the 27th. Fellow Exposure Project member Anastasia Cazabon and I each have a piece included in the exhibit, along with many other talented young photographers.

There will be a reception this Wednesday from 6-8 at the gallery for anyone who's interested in coming.

All School Show (Photography Department)
Arnheim Gallery
621 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA

-Ben Alper

Austin Pictured

Just recently got back from a visit to Austin, Texas. I've been scanning the photographs all day and these are my favorites so far. I hope enjoy them.

-Ben Alper











All Images © Ben Alper

Work In Progress: New Photographs by Ben Alper

During the past few months, I have focused my photographic energy on capturing more personal spaces. I have turned to my roots in Northampton, MA and Mystic, CT, exploring both interior and exterior spaces that have played a large role in my development. With these photographs I hope to investigate the archeology of domestic life, excavating the layers of history that permeate daily life and human existence.











All Images © Ben Alper

Work In Progress: New Photographs by Ben Alper

I happened upon this soon-to-be suburban development the other day that was neatly tucked into this beautiful wooded-area. After having photographed it rather extensively, a neighbor stopped me and asked what I was doing. I explained that I have been interested in suburban development and sprawl and hope to explore the ramifications, both environmentally and socially, that these developments promote. She told me she was an active member on a committee designed to try and halt unnecessary and eco-unconscious development. Sadly, 45 acres of land had recently been razed in order to erect the 20 or so homes that will eventually inhabit this area.












All Photographs © Ben Alper

Work In Progress: New Photographs by Ben Alper

From Top to Bottom:

Mandy & Joe's, Brighton, MA 2007

Rt. 9, North Cambridge, MA 2007

Reserved, Central Square, Cambridge, MA 2007

Lyons Street, Watertown, MA 2007

All Images © Ben Alper

A View Of The Berkshires (In Polaroid Form)

From Top to Bottom:

Laurel Lake, Lee, MA 2007

Woman Walking Into The Water, Lee, MA 2007

School Street, Great Barrington, MA 2007

Baseball Dugout, Great Barrington, MA 2007

Landscaped Sidewalk, Sheffield, MA 2007

All Images Copyright Ben Alper

Ben Alper On 'Hey, Hot Shot!' Blog

I came across one of my photographs on the Hey, Hot Shot! blog today. They have been posting one contender's work everyday for the past week and a half. For anyone interested in submiting work to the Summer 2007 edition of Hey, Hot Shot! , you can find more information on their website. Thanks for the nice write-up!

-Ben Alper

A View of New York (In Polaroid Form)

From Top to Bottom:

Union Square, Manhattan 2007

Restaurant, Lower East Side, Manhattan 2007

Chelsea, Manhattan 2007

Greenpoint, Brooklyn 2007

Coathangers, Lower East Side, Manhattan 2007

All Images Copyright Ben Alper