Character Project is USA Network‘s ongoing artistic initiative committed to celebrating America’s characters—the interesting, dazzling, and distinctive people, from all walks of life, who make this country extraordinary. During the summer of 2008 and with the support of Aperture Foundation, USA assembled a team of 11 world-class photographers and asked them to capture the character of America.

Last night the launch party for the book and traveling exhibition was held at Stephen Weiss Studio hosted by Mena Suvari, Jeff Goldblum and Vanity Fair with Aperture characters in tow.

See the exhibition in New York this weekend:

Friday, March 13, 2009 –Saturday, March 14, 9:00 am–7:00 pm
Stephan Weiss Studio

Click here to see a list of dates and cities for the exhibition.

The Character Project photographs are showcased in the book American Character: A Photographic Journey, published by Chronicle Books (March 2009). Featuring each photographer’s provocative perspective on the nation’s most compelling characters, as well as a foreword by internationally renowned journalist and author Tom Brokaw, American Character captures the continuously evolving mosaic of our country and features Aperture-published artists Dawoud Bey, Jeff Dunas, Mary Ellen Mark, Sylvia Plachy, Richard Renaldi, and Marla Rutherford. The collected works will also be displayed in a series of gallery exhibitions, visiting seven American cities.

To see videos from each of the participating artists, click here.

Opening night at Paris Photo is a smashing success with many friendly faces stopping by the Aperture booth!

Sondra Gilman, Celso Gonzalez-Falla, Aperture board of trustees chairman and Aperture’s own Kellie McLaughlin

Artist Eikoh Hosoe, Aperture Executive Director Juan Garcia de Oteyza and Aperture Publisher, Lesley A. Martin

Eikoh Hosoe

Josef Koudelka

Paris Photo is the largest photography fair in the world, visit the Aperture booth ED02 to see our latest books, stunning limited-edition prints and you never know who else…..

More to come tomorrow!

Book Signing with Michal Chelbin, Aperture Booth, Paris Photo:

Thursday, November 13, 5:00 p.m.

On Tuesday, September 16, Aperture hosted a panel discussion geared specifically towards young, first-time collectors on the ins and outs of collecting affordable photography. Moderated by Laurel Ptak, Aperture’s Educational Programs Manager, the discussion included Kellie McLaughlin of Aperture’s Limited-Edition Photographs Program, Amani Olu, founder and executive director of the Humble Arts Foundation, collector Ruben Natal-San Miguel of ARTmostfierce arts blog, and photographer Brian Ulrich. In case you missed it, here is another chance to listen to each panelist’s presentation or the entire discussion.

Kellie McLaughlin kicks off the talk, presenting Aperture’s longstanding limited-edition photographs program. It all began in 1968 when Paul Strand’s Mexican portfolio was reprinted for greater availability and accessibility. Kellie gives examples of the collection’s diversity from classics such as Edward Steichen and Dorothea Lange, to contemporary visionaries including Richard Misrach, Thomas Allen, Michal Chelbin and Martin Parr. She highlights the strength of Aperture’s program—particularly for young collectors—with its affordable prices and savvy image choices made by Aperture editors and curators.
Click here to download and listen to Kellie.

Ruben Natal-San Miguel talks about his passion for collecting even during these terrible weeks for Wall Street, underlining that art is what lasts. He starts by noting the importance of timing as these prints are typically limited in number and can often sell out. He also suggests asking oneself if the photograph will still resonate for them twenty years later. And most importantly, he advises the collector to “do their homework,” researching online resources—more specifically, blogs which have an incredibly strong impact on the collecting community today. He also shares a glimpse of his collection, which focuses on emerging photographers. Click here to download and listen to Ruben.

Amani Olu explains the concept behind his creation of Humble Arts Foundation in 2005, a platform for emerging artists through online and physical exhibitions, educational programs, grants and their limited-edition program. With a strong and passionate vision, this non-profit has featured hundreds of photographers, and has quickly become an important resource for collectors. In this spirit, Amani gives an exclusive preview of his collector’s guide to emerging art photography to be published in spring of 2009. He also shares his take on the differences in working for a non-profit organization and a commercial gallery. Click here to download and listen to Amani.

Artist Brian Ulrich presents his newest work photographing art fairs around the world. Regarding the art market, he also explains how photography has recently become a highly collectible item responding to the immediacy of the market compared to other mediums, and how the emerging technologies have increased the proximity between collectors and artists. Click here to download and listen to Brian.

Download the entire lecture series here.

Aperture booth in powerHouse arena with Aperture editorial work scholar Christy Wiles and Kellie McLaughlin, Manager of Limited-Edition Prints

Aperture magazine managing editor Michael Famighetti and New York Photo Festival Nominee photographer Matthew Monteith

Dutch Art Director Erik Kessels at opening night party, Wednesday, May 14

New York Photo Awards after party Friday, May 16