b-sides and besides

A brief chat with Steven Paneccasio, the first recipient of the TIS books Essential Non-essentials Grant

How did you get into teaching? Are there any particular educators who inspired you?

So many educators have inspired me - and that’s where my desire to teach came from. In undergrad, at SUNY Purchase it was Bob Kozma, Jo Ann Walters, Jed Devine, and Sergio Fernandez. And in graduate school at MassArt: Laura McPhee, Abe Morell, and Nick Nixon. I think about something each one of them has taught me almost every day and that’s the sort of impact I wish to have on my students. That’s where my desire to teach came from, how I actually got into to teaching is another story. 

One of the reasons I wanted to go to MassArt was because they have a program where the graduate students can elect to co-teach an undergraduate, non-majors class. My dear friend Chelsea Welsh and I signed up to teach “Intro to Color Photography.” It was a big challenge that involved a weekly pre-class phone conversation telling each other that “everything is going to work out just fine.” Later, it was Chelsea who encouraged me to apply for an adjunct teaching position at her alma mater, Bowling Green State University. Within a year I packed up my car to move out to Ohio. I lasted only a semester out there, and ultimately it was love brought me back to New York. Upon my return, Jo Ann Walters asked if I’d be interested in teaching at Purchase and I accepted; everything came around full circle.

Tell us a little about your project.

This evolving body of work represents an attempt to transform the quotidian using light and paper – still life united on a purely photographic plane. Careful choices as to palette, light, and aperture lend the physical properties of everyday objects an otherworldly aspect. The identity of a common object becomes suspect and the laws of gravity have shifted. The photographs are scratched, cut, rephotographed. They survive several generations to become new manifestations of themselves. New spaces are invented according to my own “house rules.”

Any thoughts on how you might use the grant funds?

The funds will make it easier for me to make pictures! Whether it’s film, paper, paying off a new lens, it will definitely go to good use.

My first book ‘738′ came out last week!  Soon you will be able to find it in selected bookstore worldwide.  Meanwhile you can follow the link below and buy it directly from my webpage!  Free shipping world wide! 

Edition of 300 including 30 numbered and signed books which include a 24x30cm c-print.

First Look: Applicants for the TIS books Essential Non-essentials Grant

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting pictures by some of the adjunct photography professors who have applied for the inaugural TIS books Essential Non-essentials Grant. Today’s picture is by John Steck Jr.

First Look: Applicants for the TIS books Essential Non-essentials Grant

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting pictures by some of the adjunct photography professors who have applied for the inaugural TIS books Essential Non-essentials Grant. Today’s picture is by Katie Shapiro.

Episode 3.17 - TIS Books

In this episode, we were joined by photographers Nelson Chan, Tim Carpenter and Carl Wooley of TIS Books to discuss their experience launching a publishing company, as well as the first books they’ve published.  They came on my radar last year when they launched, and I’ve been following their blog which has featured the writing of Tim Carpenter, much of which I’ve found to be very interesting, and refreshing in the current online writing draught. They have a lot going for them, and have the drive, strategy and ambition to make an impact in the community. It was great to hear their cohesive vision and dedication to working as a collective and building a community. They are doing it right.   Here are links to the spreads for the books we discussed: 

BLACK THREADS FROM MENG CHIAO by JOHN YAU & JUSTINE KURLAND

Tim Carpenter: A house and a tree

J Carrier: (untitled)

Nelson Chan: Welcome Home

Carl Wooley: Mile

A Dozen Failures by John Gossage

Waiting for the Latter Days by Steven B. Smith 

Adjunct Professors: Clear some space in that fridge with the TIS books Essential Non-essentials Grant

Are you an active adjunct professor of photography? Do you have exposed film in the fridge that you just can’t afford to process right now? Do you need a plane ticket or gas money to help you get to your project? Are you trying to figure out how to pay for some of that exhibition framing?

One of our co-founders is part of this army of road dog educators and we understand the struggles that adjunct professors face while trying to support their livelihood and studio practice while also teaching a new generation of artists and makers with no security or benefits. We feel compelled to help in any way we possibly can. That’s why TIS books is excited to launch this modest project grant to help you along the way.

The great is $1000, with no strings attached except for you to concentrate on your art. All you need are seven images, a 300-word statement, and a teaching CV.