About this project
My name is Rafael Fuchs, and I am a photographer/ videographer. Please, visit my website:www.rafaelfuchs.com
I started this project in February of 2005, when I moved to Bushwick in Bklyn, NY. As many other artists, I moved to this area, seeking a loft space with high ceilings and a relatively low rent. I started taking pictures of my neighbors and visitors of this area, always carrying a camera with me. This industrial zone with factory buildings converted to residential lofts and the colorful people who are living here have been fascinating to me. Bushwick was defined by the NY Times in July, 2010 as " the coolest place on the planet." http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/realestate/18habi.html
The block where my studio is located is" like a fairy tale" as one of my friends told me, and there is no wonder that it attracts many visitors from all over the world, special graffiti tours, as well as Hollywood movie productions that are using this block as a location ("the Resident" with Hillary Swank and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, "Our Idiot Brother" with Zooey Deschanell and Paul Rudd, and more.) I accumulated about 150,000 images in the past seven years (and still going). This body of work is a personal social documentary that observes and depicts the changes and development of this area from a raw "playground" for artists in the beginning of their career, to an influential cultural and social urban center. The changes come, though, with higher prices that is an unfortunate characteristics of any gentrification.
My work is personal , in a sense that I am not taking a role of an historian who is attempting to cover all aspects, but rather than that I am documenting the soul and spirit of the area, by taking portraits as well as candid shots of the people here during their daily routines, in art openings and different events, at their lofts, as well as the urban terrain, with its , still active, factories and bohemian lofts. I also created a few web projects dedicated to this neighborhood, as: www.bushwickyearbook.com or http://vimeo.com/20396695 but I haven't done a printed book, yet, about this topic.
This area that felt very neighborhoody is changing. During this past seven years a lot of new businesses opened here, as restaurants, bars, music venues, and modern co-op buildings are starting to rise. I believe that the images that I have been capturing during the past 6 years are very significant, since the progress of the area is happening rapidly, and it's not the same as it was, already.
With the help of a savvy designer/editor, the colorful coffee table book is going to depict the essence of this area as I witness it. It's about the youth, new beginnings, art, music,fashion,explorations, hope, as well as despair, love, loss of friendships (and unfortunately loss of young lives), but mainly, sheer beauty and pure fun.
I printed a few other books in the past, some in the US, and one in Holland.
Mostly, it was print per order, rather than a large quantity. ("Raw One" which is one of the rewards here was printed as a one-time edition of 500.)
This time I want to make an edition of 1,000 books. I got a few estimates from different printing places in the US and in the Far East, and I'm going to work with a high quality facility in Hong Kong, that has an office in NY, so I won't have to go there and be on press.
Surprisingly enough, the difference between the cost of printing and shipping 500 books and 1,000 books is not big at all (about $1,500 difference) so I'm going with an edition of 1,000 books.
See the chart below:
Your help in fulfilling the project is essential and greatly appreciated, and I hope that you will enjoy the rewards that I'm preparing for you, as well as the book itself.
The books that are not going to be pre-ordered by you, guys, will be distributed in stores, and will be sold at a higher price that is offered here !
So, it's a bargain for you !:)
My goal is is to print it in October of 2011, so we will have the proof towards the end of the year, for Christams,,Hanukkah and Kwanzaa :)...Yeyyy !:)
Please, stay tune for more video episodes (with movies and images) as well as updates.To see a longer version of the video with more incredible footage and images from Bushwick, please go to: http://vimeo.com/27190909
You'll see there footage that feature: Talib Kweli performance, a sad story about a young woman who lost her life of, assumingly, over-dose, Chabad center in Bushwick, music concerts, more details about the process of editing the images, footage from a Burlesque show, art galleries, restaurants, cafes, more eccentric people that call this place home, and more.
The last episode is, still, unfolding, and it will include current and near future material of events that is, still, about to happen :)
Thank you so much for your generous support !
Sincerely,
Rafi.
Below, you'll see the 16 images that are offered to choose from as a part of the rewards.
They come in in 3 different sizes 8x10", 11x14" 16x20")
I would love to read some comments from you, regarding which ones are your favorites :)
Thanks in advance !
Rafi.
FAQ
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What the fuchs !
Watch the short movie that was done on me last year by Augustin Doublet:
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
57
Backers
$5,760
pledged of $12,000 goal
0
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Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on September 18, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
THIS MIGHT SEEM 2B CRAZY !!!!! But, hey I like to give too !!!:) This is for those who would like to have a copy of the book, but are broke ! I will send you the book (free shipping) and will send you $100 bill (CASH !!!) to help u out ! I know it sounds crazy...but hey... It's Kickstarter. Plus a signed postcard and an invitation for the launch party !!!!!
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A thank you postcard signed and mailed via snail mail
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Thank you note and a cool "fuchs" Tshirt. (choice of S,M,L and XL) and a signed postcard. Shipping in the USA is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
Thank you note and "my earlier work" : a rare limited edition Signed Book that was published last year, titled: "Raw one_Rafael Fuchs" .See a sample in my update #3 on this site. Shipping in the USA is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
This is a new reward that I'm starting offering from Sept 10th. since I really want to make it happen. It's for everyone, but mostly for the ones who can't afford the higher pledges...and a homage and gesture to the people that participated in the BUSHWICK YEARBOOK SHOOTS ! Thank you note and 2 (YES, TWO) hard cover coffee table BOOKS "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released ! SO, IT"S,BASICALLY $20 PER BOOK !!!!!!!!! and a signed postcard featuring an image of the project. I'm, basically giving it away (Shipping in the US is included.), so u can call me crazy !!!:):):) But hey, If I'll have 200 backers here...I'll be much closer to making it. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book. All the 21 earlier backers that were pledging anything are being notified, and getting extra 2 books each. Better u, guys, have the books that there are no books !!!:)
Pledge $60 or more Pledge $60 or more
Thank you note and the hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released. Shipping in the USA is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Thank you note and the hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released plus a $100 gift certificate (limited to 10 backers) for the best sushi place in town , Momo's Sushi Shack, which is located on 43 Bogart St. just down the block from my studio. http://momosushishack.com/ Now, that's delicious !!! Shipping in the USA is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
Thank you note and one 8x10 " limited edition (of 50) signed archival PRINT of an image from the book (choice of 16. See at my update #1 section on this project site) plus the hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released and a signed postcard featuring an image of the project. Shipping in the US is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
Show me the love, and I'll more than Double it !!!!!!! READ TILL THE END HERE ! Thank you note and one 11x14" " signed archival PRINT of limited edition (of 50 each) from the book (choice of 16. See at my update #1 section on this project site) plus the hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released and a signed postcard featuring an image of the project. Shipping in the US is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book. PLUS, I'll send you $400 CASH BACK with the book !!!!! SOUND NUTS ! Well, I love U2 !!!
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Thank you note and your name or your company's logo with its contact info will be displayed prominently in the book itself (in a 3.5x3.5" space) at the special section of the generous sponsors (as you are) plus the hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released and a signed postcard featuring an image of the project. Shipping in the US is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
Thank you note and TWO 16x20" " limited edition (of 50) signed archival PRINTS of an image from the book (choice of 16. See at my update #1 section on this project site) plus a limited edition SIGNED hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released and a signed postcard featuring an image of the project. Shipping in the US is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $400 or more Pledge $400 or more
Thank you note and THREE(you might call me crazy :) 16x20" limited edition (of 50 each) signed archival PRINTS of images from the book (choice of 16. See at my update #1 section on this project site) plus a limited edition SIGNED hard cover coffee table book "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released and a signed postcard featuring an image of the project. Shipping in the US is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
This reward pertains only to people who live(d) or work(ed) in Bushwick. Thank you note and a PHOTO SHOOT (limited to 5 backers) of you or your business or you BAND (has to be in Bushwick) that will manifest itself with an awesome image (that you will approve) that will be PRINTED IN THE BOOK itself at the size of at least HALF A PAGE !!!! YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS PHOTO FOR YOUR OWN PUBLICITY for two years period !!!! the photo shoot will have to happen in September of 2011. plus 10 (yes, ten !) hard cover coffee table BOOKs "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released and a signed postcard featuring an image of the project. Shipping in the US is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $600 or more Pledge $600 or more
You are a PATRON and an art COLLECTOR !!! Thank you note and your name or the logo of your company with the contact info will be PRINTED prominently in the book as a patron (at a 3.5x3.5" space) !!! Plus a limited edition SIGNED hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released plus 6 PRINTS: TWO 16x20",TWO 11x14" and TWO 8x10" limited edition (of 50) signed archival PRINTS of images from the book (choice of 16. See at my update #1 section on this project site) . Shipping in the US included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $750 or more Pledge $750 or more
This reward pertains only to people who live(d) or work(ed) in Bushwick. Thank you note and a PHOTO SHOOT (limited to 5 backers) of you or your business or your BAND or Dance GROUP OR MOTOR CYCLE CLUB (has to be in Bushwick) that will manifest itself with an awesome image (that you will approve) that will be PRINTED IN THE BOOK itself at the size of at least FULL PAGE !!!! YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS PHOTO FOR YOUR OWN PUBLICITY for two years period !!!! The photo shoot will have to happen in September of 2011. plus 20 (yes, twenty !!!) hard cover coffee table BOOKS "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released and a signed postcard featuring an image of the project. Shipping in the US is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $800 or more Pledge $800 or more
You are a PATRON, an art COLLECTOR and an EXPLORER. Thank you note and a private 5 hours photography work shop in studio and outdoors including a tour in Bushwick for you and your friend (optional.) Lunch or dinner in an awesome local restaurant is included for both. Your name or your company's logo with the contact info will be PRINTED prominently (at a 3.5x3.5" space) in the book as a patron !!! Plus a limited edition SIGNED hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released. Plus 8 prints: TWO 16x20", TWO 11x14" and FOUR 8x10" limited edition (of 50) signed archival PRINTS of images from the book (choice of 16. See at my update #1 section on this project site) . Shipping in the US included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $1,250 or more Pledge $1,250 or more
You are a PATRON, an art COLLECTOR, an EXPLORER, and a STAR. Thank you note and a 2 hours studio photo session with me (make up and hair artist included,) plus a private 5 hours photography work shop and and/or tour in Bushwick for you and your friend (optional.) Lunch or dinner in an awesome local restaurant is included for both. Your name or your company's name with the contact info will be printed prominently in the book as a patron (in a 3.5x3.5" space) !!! Plus a limited edition SIGNED hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released. Plus 10 prints: TWO 16x20", THREE,11x14" and FIVE 8x10" limited edition (of 50) signed archival PRINTS of images from the book (choice of 16. See at my update #1 section on this project site) . Shipping in the US included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
This reward pertains only to people who live(d) or work(ed) in Bushwick. Thank you note and a PHOTO SHOOT (limited to 4 backers) of you or your business or your BAND or DANCE GROUP (has to be in Bushwick) that will manifest itself with an awesome image (that you will approve) that will be PRINTED IN THE BOOK itself as a DOUBLE SPREAD !!!! YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS PHOTO FOR YOUR OWN PUBLICITY for two years period !!!! the photo shoot will have to happen in September of 2011. plus 40 (yes, forty hard cover coffee table BOOKS "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released and a signed postcard featuring an image of the project. Shipping in the US is included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Pledge $2,000 or more Pledge $2,000 or more
You are a PATRON, an art COLLECTOR, an EXPLORER, a STAR and ON TOP THE GAME. Thank you note plus 48 hours private access to a spectacular loft in Bushwick for you and your friend plus a 2 hours studio photo session with me (make up and hair artist included,) plus a private 5 hours photography work shop and/or a tour in Bushwick for you and your friend (optional.) Lunch or dinner in an awesome local restaurant is included for both. Your name or your company's logo with the contact info will be printed prominently in the book as a patron (in a 3.5x3.5" space) !!! Plus a limited edition SIGNED hard cover coffee table BOOK "Bushwick Forever" from the first edition, before it's released. Plus12 prints: FOUR 16x20". FOUR 11x14" and FOUR 8x10" limited edition (of 50) signed archival PRINTS of images from the book (choice of 16. See at my update #1 section on this project site) . Shipping in the US included. You will be invited to the private launch party of the book.
Project By
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Rafael Fuchs is one of the most distinguished and influential contemporary photographers.
His diversity in his approach to media enables Rafael to produce a wide range of work, all bearing a common thread of scrutiny and provoking explorations under the surface, which enables us to examine ourselves.
Rafael was born in Tel Aviv and later moved to NYC in 1985, after receiving a BFA from the “Bezalel” Art Academy in Jerusalem. He is the recipient of many photo awards. Some of which include the: CA, PDN, APA, and AP. Rafael has been exhibited in the Ace gallery,the Ad-Hoc gallery, the Eastern District gallery and more. A number of his images were published in books, such as: Rolling Stone/Tattoo Nation (Bullfinch), My Favorite Model (Goliath), The Vibe History of Hip Hop, (Three Rivers Press), and 10 Years of Dolce and Gabana (Jal), Tiwimuta, and more.
Rafael’s work has spanned all media. His unique staged war photographs landed him the attention of Francois Hebel, a prominent curator who included Rafael’s work in a Paris show in 1984 titled, “Young Creatives.” Rafael also won the first award for portraiture by the Advertising Photographers of America Association in 1984.
His body of work includes: portraits of Colin Powell for Life magazine, Burt Reynolds and Emily Watson for Entertainment Weekly magazine, Eric Stoltz for W magazine, Geraldo Rivera and JK Rowling for People magazine, Harold Bloom for Newsweek, as well as portraits of the musicians: Maty J. Blige,Sean Paul, Michael Stipe,Tony Bennett, Pink and elaborate tableaux for advertising campaigns (Coke, Pepsi, Visa and more), as well as his self-portraits and snapshots while traveling extensively in the US.
Rafael currently resides in Bklyn, NY, and continues to accept commissioned work while working on several personal projects, preparing books for publication, and a DVD compilation of his videos.
A few of his recent published books are: "I Am Amerikan" and "Raw one".
