Sway, 2009 by Jowhara AlSaud

Today is the first day to bid online for items in Aperture’s largest auction ever. Browse Aperture’s Auction Catalog which features photographic works by a diverse range of artists including Jowhara AlSaud, Diane Arbus, Bruce Davidson, Joel Meyerowitz, Richard Misrach, Graham Nash, Mickalene Thomas, Brian Ulrich, James Welling, Kehinde Wiley, Michael Wolf, and Hank Willis Thomas. For the first time ever Aperture is also presenting an Emerging Artists Auction with works by Timothy Briner, Jen Davis, Cig Harvey, Mark Lyon, LaToya Ruby Frazier, and Will Steacy, among many others. Online bidding will remain open through Monday, November 1st at 12:00 noon EST.

Aperture’s 2010 Benefit and Auction will take place at The Lighthouse, Chelsea Piers on November 1st honoring Richard Misrach, Steven Ames, and Julie Saul. Immediately following the Benefit Dinner and Live Auction, the SNAP! Benefit Party co-chaired by Hank Willis Thomas, Carolyn Francis, and Giovanni Tomaselli of Polaroid, will feature special guest DJs, a raffle, an open bar, lite bites and treats.

Click here to preview auction items and bid online

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets to the 2010 Benefit Dinner & Auction

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets to the SNAP! Benefit Party

Believe It by Hank Willis Thomas

Aperture’s 2010 Benefit and Auction print list features an eclectic roster of established and emerging artists who have or are making their mark in contemporary art. Included in this year’s Silent Auction, Aperture is pleased to present an exciting recent work by artist Hank Willis Thomas. Thomas, whose critically acclaimed monograph Pitch Blackness was released by Aperture in 2008, is perhaps best known for his internationally exhibited series Unbranded which deconstructs the representation of African Americans in advertisements made over a forty year span. Thomas’ newest body of work Fair Warning emerged from the making of Unbranded and highlights the visual dynamics of cigarette ads aimed at an African American audience whom have been historically disproportionately targeted by the tobacco industry. The images in Fair Warning are re-appropriated by Thomas using the same technique as Unbranded, logos are removed, text is left in snippets that transform intention juxtaposed with the model’s nonchalant hand gestures sans cigarettes and a consideration of the depiction of blackness being marketed.

Hank Willlis Thomas is also co-chairing Aperture’s first ever SNAP! Benefit Party which will follow the annual Benefit and Auction dinner along with Carolyn Francis and Giovanni Tomaselli of Polaroid, sponsor of SNAP! Hosted by Aperture’s SNAP! Young Patrons Program, this event will include an Emerging Artists Auction, the music stylings of DJs AJ Slim, Tim Barber of Tinyvices.com and Jeannie Hopper of LiquidSoundLounge.com and ARTonAIR.org, special raffle prizes and a tasty buffet of light bites.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets to the SNAP! Benefit Party

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets to the Benefit and Auction dinner

Click here to view the Auction Catalog. Online bidding starts on October 18.

Photo by Elina Ruka

Aperture’s board of directors has announced the appointment of new director of development Linda L. Truesdale who comes to the foundation with twenty years of experience as a fundraising professional. Most recently, she held the position of Director of Development at The Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson and has worked with such clients as the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music; Mark Twain House; Alzheimer’s Association of Northern New Jersey; and Bomb magazine. As Director of Development, Ms. Truesdale’s primary responsibility is to provide overall strategy and leadership in the planning, implementation, and management of Aperture’s diverse and comprehensive fundraising program.

Click here to learn about ways to get involved in the support of Aperture’s programs.

Click here to learn about Aperture’s 2010 Benefit and Auction.