Post #471 by Thomas Prior

As I wrote when first we introduced Tom's work, we go way back. But it took a long time for us to start collaborating, so now we're making up for lost time with not one, not two, but three editions, plus a flurry of blog posts. [Being the fan that she is, someone like fellow 20x200-artist Rachel Hulin would say: it's about time!] In contrast to Steps and Jump—which come from a highly polished body of work—Post #471 arrived by way of Thomas Prior's less-formal outlet, his blog: The Curving Hip, The Soothing Shade, a document of his ongoing practice of photographing everyday.

Like most people, I could never make this picture; mine would be crooked, with a camera strap or thumb in it. It would be from a different, less-interesting angle. But through Tom's lens, and with its ethereal quality, it's a place I've been or a dream or a memory. It's also both a product and evidence of him being a great photographer; it became what it is as if by reflex, not because it's effortless to do so, but because his experience suffuses his picture-taking, even when a larger project is not part of his intention.

This image was taken on the 24th day of May on the Jersey Shore; the tides of the internet carried it into my curatorial universe — and then out again — via my Tumblr stream. As much as I enjoy contributing to making an image internet-famous, I'm really much more interested in getting pictures up on walls. (Your walls, for instance!) Certain as I was about this photograph, it took some considerable cajoling by Sara and me to convince Tom that his digital snapshot, diaristic though it may have been, was indeed edition-worthy.

As when proofing his first two images, Tom was meticulous. We all deliberated, first on the scale of the image—as you know, we like to offer the most economical print size, 8"x10", whenever we possibly can. But in this case, it really just didn't make sense. We don't like to disappoint and at that scale, the image started to feel a little claustrophobic. Once we brought the proofs up to 11"x14", it became clear that was the smallest size possible at which this image could feel intimate and inward-looking and yet, expansive. Worth noting: its expansiveness increases exponentially with every inch added to its dimensions, so I encourage you to go big on this one!

Tom's intent on going big himself, with a brand-new body of work, he's a HHS! contender again. What will happen in this round? Only time will tell.

If your sights are only set as far ahead as tomorrow, we have just the event for you: Artlog's Collect LES–Lower East Side Artcrawl. Don't miss it! Get tickets online ($20 and for ages 21 and over only!) then meet at The New Museum at 6:30 p.m. sharp.