2012 ends with on a high note! Reflections on the Aperture Book Party

First of all – Happy New Year to all my friends, family and fans out there! If 2013 is anything like the year that just passed, then I simply won’t have enough fingers, toes or hairs on my head to count all my blessings. As I look back on 2012 I give thanks for so many things, but among them are these: the publication of my new book Harold Feinstein: A Retrospective (Nazraeli, 2013), a great retrospective show at Panopticon Gallery in Boston, an installation of 52 of my large format color botanicals at Stanford University’s new state of the art concert hall, and the truly joyous book party at Aperture a few weeks ago!

There were so many wonderful things about my book party at Aperture on December 17th that I hardly know where to begin!

So many people showed up on a rainy night close to Christmas and helped fill the gallery with warmth and general merriment. Sean Corcoran, photography curator for the Museum of the City of New York, moderated the opening conversation that included longtime friend, A.D. Coleman. We showed a short film from my teachings tapes, which are in the process of being edited by my wife, Judith, and later on friends in the audience were invited to ask a few questions and share comments and thoughts. The most memorable part of the evening for me was how many of my former students came – spanning from 1958 to 2004. While my again braing doesn’t remember all the names, I can never forget the enrichment I’ve received from each of my students. At nearly 82, I spend a lot of time reflecting on the things that matter the most in life, and I would have to put my relationship with my students right up there near the top.

Aperture sold out of the books on hand and a number of framed prints and other posters were sold to benefit the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts sponsored by North Star Fund and Coney Island Recovers. The benefit continues on-line, so please take a look and do what you can to support the on-going needs for hurricane recovery!

Since every photographer knows the truth to the saying “a picture speaks a thousand words”, I will let this small photo album share the rest of the story. Many thanks to my longtime friend and former student, Peter Angelo Simon, for providing these photos!