Wegman World

Wednesday's Postcard

Flo (Birth) Day!

From Flo's first shoot

Flo's first birthday was March 23. She came to us from Brian and Beth Meany in May 2011, at 8 weeks old with her sisters Stella and Mable for a photo shoot and I fell in love with her.  In spite of my better judgement I decided to keep her. Surprisingly no one objected, even thought I already had three dogs, Bobbin, Candy and their daughter Penny.

 

Flo at 3 months

Decision making was made complicated by Penny's being diagnosed with lymphoma earlier that month.  Penny's oncologist said it was a good idea, that Flo would be a nice diversion for all of us, including Penny. She was right. She and Penny became inseparable (more Flo's idea than Penny's). During Penny's last hours Flo was very sweet to her. I like to think that helped. 

 

 

Flo and Penny

    Though we are sad Flo continues to entertain us.

 

     Flo at nine months     

She is a comic beauty, an  electrified version of Batty, another funny beauty. Flo is busy, chewy, and tall.  Lucky for me she loves to work.  When she was just starting out I put her on a pedestal in the studio alongside the other dogs that were being photographed so she could experience the strobe flash. When it was her turn she performed like a pro. 

Flo at six months

An altogether matter is her rambunctious behavior at home, especially now that she is full grown.  When visitors come we have to tackle and corral her into another room or hang on to her somehow to keep her from launching herself on them. I have learned techniques on how to keep a dog from jumping up and they have worked to perfection on any of my other dogs in the past. Part of the problem is she looks so great standing tall and its hard to discourage  such elegance and joy. Some staff and family members find my lack of success in training her baffling. Am I not the dog guy?  

Bill and Flo

Flo had fun in Maine in late March. It was 80 and beginning to be muddy. I had heard about mud season but never experienced it. Then it got colder. Then it got colder. Then it got colder. Then it snowed. Snow is great. We got to ski. Flo followed us when we cross-country skied. I tried to grab onto her collar for a free ride. With Chip and Chundo you could really get a great ride...20mph, I'm guessing. With Flo it was no go.  Maybe next year.

 

Flo in the snow in Maine

--WW

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William Wegman, Untitled, 1999

Did you know that William Wegman is on Facebook? Be sure to like his page. We post events, videos, photos and other exclusive content. See you there!

Wednesday's Postcard

Happy Opening Day!

William Wegman, Dog Baseball, 1986

 

Will you be watching or playing (dog) baseball today?

Flo (Birth)Day: Coming Soon

Vintage Flo
 

Flo Wegman turned one last week. She spent her birthday in Maine, and when she and WW are back next week, we will feature a birthday post. Need some reminding about Flo? Read about how she joined the family here and here.

Looking Back: Post Man Ray

William Wegman, Frog, 1982

William Wegman's Versatile Humor Survives Man Ray

By ROBERTA SMITH
Published: January 24, 1992

New York Times

 For people who believe art and humor are strange bedfellows, a visit to the 20-year retrospective of William Wegman at the Whitney Museum of American Art may make them think again.

Mr. Wegman, a Conceptual artist turned painter, is the art world's most amusing heavyweight lightweight -- and its premier dog photographer. He is perhaps best known for turning a cooperative Weimaraner named Man Ray into a virtual art icon, something on the order of a canine Andy Warhol.

Mixing high art with popular culture, Mr. Wegman works in drawing, video and photography as well as painting. He routinely alternates between an endearing childlike naivete and an unerring sense of language and style -- often within the same work. At times, his art can seem so versatile as to be almost schizophrenic.

Read the rest of the article here.

Wednesday's Postcard

William Wegman and Constance Lewellen in Conversation in NYC

 

William Wegman, Artist, 1971

Please join ICI, Constance Lewallen, and William Wegman for a special conversation on Tuesday, April 3, from 6:30- 8pm at 401 Broadway, Suite 1620, NYC.

Constance Lewallen, co-curator of State of Mind: New California Art Circa 1970, and William Wegman, pioneer video artist, conceptualist, photographer, painter, and writer, will discuss Californian artists’ significant contributions in Conceptual art, video, performance, and installation art in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rarely seen Wegman videos will be screened, followed by a conversation about the artist’s early work and those with whom he associated.

Read more about the event here.

 

Mufle

For our French readers...WW on the cover of Eric Neuhoff's Mufle!