Author Archives: Michael Kircher

“Falling Into Place”

by

Many moons ago, I met Patricia Lay-Dorsey. We actually met online. (No, not a dating service.) We met at David Alan Harvey’s original web-place called Road Trips. It was a tight, groovy little community. We chatted and shared imagery and critiques and David dispensed serious photographic wisdom.

One day Patricia shared 12 photos. Twelve deeply personal and moving images. Portraits of the day-to-day life of a woman with MS. Self portraits.

It was clear there was something happening here. A deeply personal story. An evolving story that would one day end up in a book. It had to.

Fast forward a few years…. This past weekend I took a trip to Beacon, NY with my wife to meet Patricia — finally in person!–  as she launched her book, Falling Into Place. It is a well constructed and nicely laid out work of art. The images are compelling, intense, passionate and simply beautiful. Like the woman who made them.

The event was quite a hit. The hosts, Fovea Exhibitions, really know how to put on a launch party! DJ Illich Mujica kept the place pumping and jumping. The wife and I danced as if we were 20 years younger than reality says we are… and the next morning I felt it. It was as if I’d run a marathon, quads aburnin’. Felt great.

Patricia signed books and danced and gave a great presentation and signed more books and danced some more and made sure everyone there knew she knew they were there. Hugs and kisses, well wishes. Much laughter, congrats, well dones. Met some new friends and made a few photographs.

Congratulations, Patricia. It is well deserved.

IMG_8084

Falling Into Place. Self Portraits by Patricia Lay-Dorsey.

 

Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Falling Into Place.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Falling Into Place. DJ Illich Mujica.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Falling Into Place.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Falling Into Place.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Falling Into Place.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Falling Into Place.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Falling Into Place.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Falling Into Place. Kate Hofmann.

Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Falling Into Place.

Riding into DC

by

On a hot and muggy September 11th, the 2 Million Bikers to DC Rally kept one of its promises. Bikers came to DC. Two-million? Not so much. This happens of course with any protest/rally/march. (they really should stop putting numbers on it) The Million Muslim March for instance ( later changed to Million Americans Against Fear March) barely reached two dozen!

The Bikers I saw lined Constitution Avenue from the Washington Monument to The Lincoln Memorial. A rough, non-scientific guesstimate from yours truly puts the number closer to a few hundred. Not unimpressive, but staggeringly short of the promised two-million. The leather-clad Hog riders revved their engines, waved to confused tourists, and generally hung out in the cooling shade of trees. I did not see speeches from a dais, no memorial service or moment of silence for the victims of that horrible day in 2001. But then, I didn’t stick around the entire day.

Anyway, below is a shot of a man and a woman riding down 17th Street about to turn onto Constitution. She photographing me as I photograph her. I thought that was pretty cool.

Man and woman on a Harley at 2 Million Bikers Rally.

Man and woman on a Harley.

 

Civil War Re-enactors

by

It’s hard to watch these Confederate Civil War re-enactors going through their drills and not wonder about the psychological make-up of each one. What drives them? How did this become their passion? Do they long for the South to “rise again?” How many harbor deep resentments over what many call not the Civil War, but the War of Northern Aggression? How many are out there just to have a good time, explore a little history  and camp out with their buddies? Is it all just harmless play-acting?

Having a brief conversation with a few of them revealed very little in this regard. To a person they were open, friendly, happy to chat and more than willing to be photographed. Their feelings toward the South, the North, Lincoln, slavery, and the war itself (even what to call it!) I suspect are as numerous as the men on the field of play/battle. Sweeping generalizations won’t do any good. Still, for me, it is hard to shake that they are willingly representing the former Confederacy and all the history that that entails. But I guess that’s all about my psychological make-up, isn’t it?

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

civil war, antietam

 

Washington Monument. Washington, DC

by
Washington Monument under repairs. July 2013.

Washington Monument under repairs. Early morning, July 2013.

On August 23, 2011 a 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook the DC region. Although the quake’s center was 80 some miles southwest of DC,  it was powerful enough to set the obelisk swaying and cause significant damage to the masonry. It is now completely encased in scaffolding as workers assess the damage and begin repairs. The scaffolding itself is wrapped in blue scrim and decorative lights, which I understand is really quite lovely at night. (Yeah, I know, I should go get that shot.)

The monument is closed to the public and should reopen in Spring 2014.