Artist Entry: Alex Fradkin

I found a link to Alex Fradkin’s work on the photographic blog, Conscientious. His “Bunker Project” images were of particular interest to me because I am preparing to shoot imagery of the James River, particularly abandoned and sunk barges. When I first when out on the James in a boat, I was astonished by the landscape. The James, like many other rivers, I suppose, was another traffic medium. Boats used the water just as cars utilize roads. There were many “sights” alongside this road. Collectively, we came across about five abandoned barges that have sunk years ago. Vegetation grew in and out of them, water flowed freely. I’d really like to explore these structures, as well as other aspects of our trips, such as islands only accessible by boat. It was so interesting to me how these gigantic manmade structures were now being taken over by nature, just as Fradkin’s bunkers are depicted. 

Biography

Fradkin originally studied architecture but abandoned his life passion of 25 years to pursue photography in 1996. He graduated with an MFA in photography from Columbia College Chicago in 2000, where he later taught for some time. Currently, Fradkin resides in New York City and is finishing his twelve year project, “Bunkers: Ruins of War in a New American Landscape”. In 2010, he was awarded the Aaron Siskind Foundation Award for the Bunker Project. In 2011, Fradkin’s book, “The Left Coast: California on the Edge” was published by the University of California Press. Fradkin’s photographs have been exhibited internationally in galleries and museums in both solo and group shows. The Art Insititute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Photography-Chicago, Portland Art Museum, Comer Foundation, and the Park Hyatt Corporation all collect his work. Fradkin now teaches photography at the International Center for Photography in Manhattan. 

"Bio - CV." Alex Fradkin. Web. 2 Oct 2011. <http://alexfradkinprojects.com/

Quotes

"Initially, it was their strange alien appearance in this particular landscape. These structures are extremely brutal and cold in appearance and their purpose, so completely at odds with the peacefulness and tranquility of the coastal landscape," says Fradkin, who first noticed the bunkers while visiting his parents in the Bay Area.

LaSala, Anthony. "A Bunker Mentality." Alex Fradkin. 02 July 2008. Web. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://alexfradkinphotography.blogspot.com/>.

Fradkin also gathered together a group of supporters—from fellow photographers to writers to gallery owners—to help him complete the project. One of those supporters was fellow Berkeley neighbor and photographer Richard Misrach, whom Fradkin had met at a lecture. Fradkin met with Misrach a number of times for advice and support at Misrach's studio. "Richard's generosity of time, warmth and enthusiasm was greatly appreciated and an early affirmation that I might have something worth pursuing," says Fradkin. "Showing Richard the work as it developed most definitely helped to keep my spirits up when I would inevitably start questioning my strange obsession with bunkers."

LaSala, Anthony. "A Bunker Mentality." Alex Fradkin. 02 July 2008. Web. 2 Oct. 2011. <http://alexfradkinphotography.blogspot.com/>.

Review: http://www.boomcalifornia.com/2011/06/concrete-in-paradise/

Gallery: Alex Fradkin is not currently represented by a specific gallery, however, his work has been shown in the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Photography, Portland Art Museum, the Comer Foundation at the University of Illinois, and the Princeton Art Museum in Princeton, NJ. 

Artist Website: http://alexfradkin.com/

 Since I was unable to retrieve much information at all about Fradkin's images (such as name, dimensions, and print media), I e-mailed Fradkin himself. Here's a screen shot of the e-mail... I look forward to hearing from him soon!

EDIT: here is my response from Alex Furdkin:

"Hello Hillary

Thank you for your interest.  You may enjoy the new website which I have not officially l launched yet, but is viewable at www.alexfradkinprojects.com.  It features the Bunker Project and many new images which I made this summer.  Along with the "Wallscapes series".

Images are generally sized at 30x40", some larger, some a little smaller.  They are printed as archival pigmented ink jet prints and are limited to an edition of ten prints.

Hope this helps!"