Background
PEEK is an ongoing Art + Commerce project dedicated to recognizing the work of emerging photographers. In 2004 we initiated and hosted The Art + Commerce Festival of Emerging Photographers to highlight the diversity and creativity of non-represented photographers living in the Tri-State area.
Jim Moffat, a founder and partner of Art + Commerce, wanted to spotlight emerging talent: “Art + Commerce is involved in many different aspects of the photography world — book publishing, advertising, magazines, galleries, education. Historically, agencies tend to focus on only one of those worlds: the commercial world. We wanted to do something to bring together all those worlds, while supporting exceptional untapped talent, engaging with the community, and having an open and fun event.” An open call resulted in over 1,100 photographers’ submissions. These were reviewed by members of Art + Commerce and juries of distinguished professionals, including photographers, editors, book publishers and gallery owners. The 2005 Festival included the publication of PEEK, the first Art + Commerce book, and traveled to Tokyo, Milan, Madrid and Stockholm in 2006.
PEEK 2007 grew out of our decisions to open the project to international submissions; to collaborate with Capricious, an independent photography magazine with a shared interest in emerging artists; and to develop a related web site exploring the process and works-in-progress of the PEEK artists. Capricious #7 features work by eleven photographers from eight countries: Japan, France, Mexico, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Sweden, South Korea, and the United States. Projects by and about the peek 2007 photographers are at: http://peek.artandcommerce.com.
Publications
Publications are available for $20 each. Orders should be sent to: orderpeek@artandcommerce.com.
PEEK, a 172-page book featuring work from the 2005 Festival of Emerging Photographers, includes 150 color images, an introductory essay, biographies of the 24 artists, and a discussion with jurors and artists.
Capricious #7, guest-edited by Art + Commerce, features the work of the 11 photographers selected for PEEK 2007.
2004 Exhibition
The Art + Commerce 2004 Festival of Emerging Photographers
Brooklyn, New York: September 18–26, 2004 at the Tobacco Warehouse
Jury: Kathy Ryan, photo editor, The New York Times Magazine; Peter MacGill, director, Pace MacGill Gallery; Rick Woodward, cultural journalist; Tim Barber, photo editor, Vice Magazine; Janine Foeller & Jane Hait, co-directors, Wallspace Gallery; Nayland Blake, artist and educator; Ivan Shaw, photo editor, Vogue Magazine; Ellen Salpeter, director, Heart of Brooklyn; Alex Wiederin, art director, Buero New York; Christian Rattemayer, Artists Space; Glen Luchford, photographer; Amy Stewart, curator, PS1
2005 Exhibitions
The Art + Commerce 2005 Festival of Emerging Photographers
Brooklyn, New York York: October 15 - 25, 2005 at the Tobacco Warehouse
Tokyo, Japan: February 22—March 19 at Laune Galerie
Milan, Italy: May 10—May 24 at Fendi
Madrid, Spain: June 4—July 2 at Matadero Madrid as a part of PhotoEspana 2006
Stockholm, Sweden: September 14—October 18 at CFF, Centrum för Fotografi as a part of Xposeptember 2006
Jury: Fabien Baron, art director and founder, Baron & Baron; Melissa Bent and Mirabelle Marden, co-directors, Rivington Arms; Elisabeth Biondi, visuals editor, The New Yorker; Jason Fulford, photographer and co-founder, J&L Books; Josette Lata, art buyer, J. Walter Thompson; Lawrence Luhring, co-director, Luhring Augustine Gallery; Lesley Martin, executive editor, Aperture book program; Steven Meisel, photographer; Jack Pierson, photographer; Stephen Shore, photographer