Berenice Abbott Retrospective Photography Exhibition in Paris, France

The Jeu de Paume museum in Paris is hosting a retrospective of Berenice Abbott. Having taught university courses for nearly twenty years, her name has come up with some frequency in classes and I often felt a little embarrassed that I usually was only presenting her as the person who played such an important role in saving the work of Eugene Atget after he died. I knew especially her project on New York city which was an effort to capture and save images of the disappearing parts of New York in the 1930s just as Atget had done with Paris from the end of the 19th century into the 1920s. But I never found myself particularly struck with the strength of her work. This retrospective, then, was a chance to finally see a full cross section of her work so that I might see if she measured up to her teachers.

Sadly, while there are some quite beautiful images, more often than not the photos don’t have the same spark as many of her influences–Atget, Walker Evans, Paul Strand. This, then, raises the question of what exactly holds her work back. There are undoubtedly countless reasons and different ones for different photographs. One could imagine that maybe for an American like myself the photos of Paris might have a greater inherent appeal than anything from New York–even from a New York I never saw. However, there are other photographers–notably Strand–who took some very striking images of New York. And I should add, Abbott does seem at her best when photographing New York although she does best with dramatic architecture and not so well as Walker Evans with more modest structures. Like Walker Evans, she sometimes plays with photographing signage–and sometimes there’s an interesting element there but her successes seem much less frequent than Evans. Too often her buildings seem to lack character. They’re just neutral structures and we don’t necessarily feel what it is that made her stop and set up her camera to take the picture. The print quality is sometimes quite beautiful and most of the time it’s quite passable and yet there aren’t many pictures that have a glowing quality.

Where she seemed least confident or skilled was in photographing people in a somewhat documentarian manner. It’s unclear if she didn’t spend enough time looking, if she was too tentative and so shot too fast or what but more often than not the people don’t seem to be an important part of the photos. They’re a presence but they don’t come across as overly intriguing. She didn’t have the talent of a Helen Levitt, for example, to find really striking interactions between humans and their environment. In the end I’m led to feel she might not always have pushed herself enough to try to capture the essence of something. She gets closest when she’s dealing with architecture but she doesn’t seem to have had the poetic talent that Atget had. Somehow with Atget there was an energy that seemed to emanate from the buildings and streets he photographed whereas with Abbott too often the buildings seem lifeless. Maybe she wasn’t enough in love with New York or architecture in general to really show these buildings as powerful identities. With Atget every paving stone seems to have a story to tell.…

Large Format Printers: Great for Various Projects

Large format printers typically allow for images to be printed between 17 inches and 60 inches wide. These printers are utilised in the creation of banners, posters, exhibition prints and any signage that is on a larger scale. Large format printers also go by the name of wide format printers and printers that exceed 100 inches in print width are occasionally referred to as grand format or super-wide printers.

These large printers can accommodate different textures and types of paper making them very useful for different types of projects. For instance vinyl and satin-finished papers can be used with these machines which are great for maintaining a good quality, professional finish. Instead of individual sheets of paper like a standard printer, large format printers use large rolls of paper which are more economical when putting bigger projects together and highly compatible with the printer.

These kinds of printers aren’t commonly designed for use at home or in the office. Of course, professionals who may utilise the printer for their business from home may acquire one, but the generic computer owner will not have any need for such a large printer. Rather, large format printers tend to be tools of specialist printers and businesses. Commercial printers are probably the biggest users of large format printers. These print specialists are experts in creating large format signage, prints and other posters or graphics that any business may need for marketing or advertising purposes. Vehicle graphics may also be produced with specialist inks and paper in place, to provide waterproofing and a gloss finish.

Businesses also require exhibition and display stands on a regular basis and by visiting any print specialist; they can have stands and exhibition material produced on a larger scale without losing any quality to the images or text and information. Large format printers are also popular with students and those who may be interested in digital photography. Quality is essential within the realms of a profession like photography.

Large format printers coupled with large file sizes, still maintain exceptional quality throughout the imagery producing successful prints time and time again. This is perfect for both exhibitions and businesses. The colours are also fade resistant since the inks that are used tend to be of a superior quality. This print process is established straight from the computer with the help of advanced software. Inkjet, solvent and light jet printers are utilised for the printing. The digital print specialists will almost always accept your files by email or on CDs but it is wise to remember to keep the original file size for the best outcome for the images themselves.…

Pop Up Exhibition Stand Have Several Key Features Which Guarantee Returns on Your Investments

A pop up exhibition stand is one of the most popular choices when it comes to popularising your company at various trade shows, movable presentations, exhibitions, seasonal fairs, sales and other events of that sort. Why are they so much in demand? Simply because pop up stands have several key features which guarantee returns on your investments if you purchase a pop up stand for your marketing campaign.

First of all, these stands are portable, which gives one a nice opportunity to change the location if you want to visit a few events in the course of one day. Or even to move around during the same event, no matter whether it is a trade show or advertising campaign in a shopping centre.

A pop up exhibition stand is easy to set up, and it is standard with this type of stand that it can be assembled and disassembled by one person. So you do not have to hire the professionals for the setting up and removing process, you can easily do it yourself of with the help of any non-qualified employee of yours.

Of course it comes in a variety of designs, styles, shapes, sizes and materials, but best of all would be to choose lightweight model. The frame of the unit can be metal, plastic, wooden, or made of some other material, but besides being strong and reliable it should be light as well, otherwise it will reduce the mobility of the stand dramatically.

Other parts of a pop up exhibition stand are panels with fabrics, where you can attach the information needed, illustrations, posters and so on. Or these panels can be covered with your graphics, such as logo design, text of promotional message, contacts etc. Make sure the graphics you order are reliable enough and quality laminated, as your stand might be used not only indoors, but under the open sky as well. If the frame is metal, check that it does not get affected by corrosion.

Even if some unpleasant moment occurs, and some parts of the stand get broken, spoiled, unusable, do not forget about the warranty period. The quality of a produced pop up exhibition stand is so high these days, that lots of manufacturers offer lifetime warranty. It shows just how confident they are about the good service of their exhibition stands. In any case, make sure that the warranty period is at least one year.

Accessories play an important role as well, of course: they should be quite reliable too, but the most important factor is that they can be used as additional items for your promotional-advertising marketing. For example pay attention to a bag or storage case.

Indeed why should you waste an opportunity to spread the word about your company in a different way? Put your logo on the accessories as well, or at least choose the colour combinations of your brand.

A pop up exhibition stand has number of other advantages, but to name just a few is quite enough for a progressive mind to make a decision.…

Guide to the Tashkent Uzexpocentre

The introduction of the Uzexpocentre in Uzbekistan has transformed the region into a key venue for Exhibitions in the central Asian region, in recent years. Shows such as the ‘Tea and Coffee expo’, ‘Mining World’ and the ‘International Oil & Gas Exhibition & Conference’ are just a few of the shows which now take place in the Uzexpocentre each year and the centre continues to attract more major shows continually. A look below at the Uzexpocentre in more information and also some tips on reaching the centre:

The Uzexpocenter is an Open Joint-Stock Society National Exhibition Company, which is part of the Republic of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade and has become an awards winning venue in recent years. Located in Tashkent, the Uzexpocenter was built following a need for a high quality exhibition centre in the country and construction of the complex began following an order by the Cabinet of Ministers in Uzbekistan.

The centre was opened towards the end of 1992 and since then it has hosted several prestigious events and has helped boost international trade in the country. The centre was originally called the Uzexpocentre Republican Trade Exhibition Centre, however the name and the structure of the complex was changed in the year 2005. It is now known as the Uzexpocentre Open Joint-Stock Society National Exhibition Company.

The main facilities of the Uzexpocentre include its 1250 square metre Atrium hall, press conference hall, exhibition hall and outdoor exhibition space. In addition to these facilities, there is an additional exhibition hall and a number of pavilions in the exhibition centre. One of the more modern exhibition spaces in the building is the Pavilion No.1, which offers over 7000 square metres of exhibition space and can be used to host trade fairs, exhibitions and other events. In 2007, there was an additional pavilion added to the complex, which added another 12,000 square metres of space to the complex.

For exhibition visitors and exhibitors heading to Uzbekistan for the Uzexpocentre, the country and its customs remain an unknown quantity for many people, with the country off the beaten track and somewhere is often a new location for most visitors. If travelling from abroad then Tashkent International Airport will be your best option for entry into the country and this leave you able then to organise transport locally to the exhibition venue.…

Indoor and Outdoor Event Planner

If you are planning for a business event, you need to take care few things to make it a success and attracting crowd. It is imperative as when planning an indoor or outdoor event that involves exhibition setup or trade booth counter, many people are unaware of the proper management, look and feel which your product or company vision or exhibition theme requires. Most important is the time spent in setting up a stall or booth or canopy or any other promotional media. Therefore, plan your event in such a manner which ultimately turns a center of extraction for the crowd. If you have ample amount of time, which is a rare case, go for big hoardings, big budget and big size banner stands along with canopy and hefty counters. However this situation is also not the ideal case for many businesses. Only a few business houses can afford it. For the masses, the budget is less, time is less and effect expectation is high. For such businesses, moderately priced banner stands are the ideal choice.

Retractable banner stands make a great choice if you wish to use them year after year for all your promotional needs because these can add an extra mile to the aesthetic look and give a professional touch to your event. Compared to traditional wooden or MS stands, the latest banner stands can resist damage from rips and tears easily. They are turning up as highest selling commodity globally when we talk about business promotion events whether it maybe a product launch, a service startup, or company policy or slogan campaign. These are affordable, easily transportable and less in weight. Banner stand display systems can be setup in few minutes, saving considerable time for you. Latest trends in banner displays have completely eliminated all the hassles in untangling ropes, rods or threads or screws as was the case in earlier ones.

When you are away from your office or business, they still serve the purpose of your office. They continue to conduct business silently. They can easily be fit into their own carry bag and can easily be taken out at any point of time making you comfortable to reach to next business venue or event. Lot of colour and material choices are possible in Retractable banner stands. You can select black, white, silver, grey or combination of these colours. You can select Aluminium structure or chrome finished structure or bamboo structure. As more people are resorting towards natural items, with its natural look and feel, bamboo banner stands are more in demand. The shape and style is available in X banner base or L banner base. They have strong structure base to resist any wind flow when place in open space or ground. As per your size of graphics, you can select the stand which suits the size. You can even select a flexible stands that is capable to hold different size graphics.

These trendy look banner stands give your company instant name recognition and turn a major tool for promoting your company branding. Make an impact with these low budget promotional tools with style and professionalism.…

How to Attract Prospective Customers to the Exhibition Stand

Exhibition stands are the best tools to market your products and draw potential customers to your business. Therefore, the design and the build of the stand should be unique and stand apart from the rest of the competition. Drawing customers to the exhibition stand can be challenging because competitors are usually located side by side. It may sound difficult but it is not impossible to attain. Despite others being located near to you, it is still possible to make your stand unique and attract customers.

Following are some unique ways to attract potential customers to your exhibition stand:

To attract customers to your exhibition stand, make your unique in the crowd. One way you can double up the chances of customers noticing your stand is by using visual displays. Visuals are the first thing that customers are likely to notice when they pass by your stand. Put tarpaulins or banners in your space. Design your booth in such a way that it becomes a distinctive one. You can also rely on professional model makers who can create a unique design for your stand. Little music also works wonder. Small things added often become distinct in the crowd. Use your creativity to make your stand unique.

Advertisement often does most of the job, if done correctly. Place Ads in local newspaper, radio, and newsletters declaring your participation in the exhibition. Send email to anyone in your list and mail postcards with the event details. Advertise prizes or other treats to the customers to attract them to the exhibition and to your stand.

A little PR activities often help. Circulate and check out the competition. See other’s strategy and also check out their drawbacks. Talk to the customers when they visit your stand. People are always attracted to friendly businesses and talking to them will help you gain some loyal clients.

Place promotional object on a table at the front of the stand to attract the eyes of passersby. Place objects like pens or key rings with your logo or business name on it, and use them as handouts for potential customers. Customers may get drawn to the free items and spend some time to look at your products. It can be another source of advertising for you, as customers are likely to use the products even after the event is over.

Drawing potential customers to your business through exhibition stand is hard as your competitors are located all around you. This is one of the reasons for which exhibition stand design and build quality needs to be unique. Now a day many exhibitors hire professional model makers to create unique exhibition stand designs for them. A skilled model maker uses various resources to prepare the exhibition stand design and even may present to the client in large format printing. He/she also ensures that the stand design is completed within time so that exhibitor gets it ready within stipulated time. When appropriately used, exhibition stand becomes one of the great tools for the exhibitors to communicate their services and products to the users.…

Your Imagination is Limitless

When it comes to the design of a booth or design of a retail shop, your imagination is your only limit. The problem with some people is that they have difficulty in thinking out of the box. In their minds, the possibilities remain within this neat little steel box…everything else outside of that realm is either unachievable or senseless. Like building a high rise tower, it needs to have the right structure but one should not forget about the design as well. After all, this is what attracts people to your booth!

Break out of the habit of thinking within the confines of a box. Stereotyping how a booth should look like will stop you from creating a knock-out jaw-dropping booth during your exhibition.

Allow for flexibility

Most modern exhibition display systems are flexible and portable. In fact, we’ve seen some that allows for multiple purposes and can go with many other types of flexible exhibition display is good news because we’re thinking along the lines of the ‘Lego’ concept.

Even though most exhibition booths look pretty much the ‘s square and it’s small, if you allow for flexibility, you can use the same display in your shop, during road shows or prop it up for promotions and sales.

Ask and you shall

Most of us have very static ideas about how to beautify our exhibition booth and if this applies to you, what you should do is to ask for help. Most exhibition display companies provide this consultation free.

Budget is a big thing

Creativity aside, don’t let the sales assistant derail you about the budget. Let them know that you’re not going to spend beyond your limit and ask them to recommend stuff that fits into that budget. If that’s not possible, consider alternatives and get them to recommend it to you.

The bottom line is that you should feel excited about presenting the whole thing to the people during the exhibition and you feel comfortable with spending that amount of money on it.…

Why You Should Consider Exhibition Stand Rental

When you are going to attend your first trade show, and you don’t know much about these shows and exhibition stands, in this condition hiring an exhibition stand is more beneficial rather than buying one.

The reason for this is that when you have the first time experience you look around the stands and observe what type of stands are more perfect for different types of products. You might look into what styles and sizes are available and which one would be the perfect one for your products or services. If you choose to buy a stand in your first exhibition it could be a total waste of money as you might change your mind as to what would be the best stand for your company after you’ve experienced the show.

If you are on a tight budget and have no money to buy one for yourself, then exhibition stand rental is a cost effective solution. You can choose among many stands the one that fits best to your needs and product specifications and suits to display your product. If it works fine then you might think of buying next time.

There are many types of exhibition stands; they come in different styles and shapes. Some of them that might be of an interest to you include:

– folding & modular stands

– poster & clip frames

– a-frame signboards

– tabletop counters

– pop-up systems

– literature stands

– cable displays

– banner stands

– workstations

– roll-up stands

– podiums

– plinths

The Roll-Up stands are universal and suitable for nearly any kind of trade show or exhibition. They are an excellent marketing tool with their graphics and headline. If you have a limited space available in the trade show then plinths, podiums and workstations can be extremely useful.

Hiring a modular display stands and the ones that can be folded up are a good choice also. They come in different sizes and shapes. They are portable as they are light weighted. Modular display ones can be arranged in either a landscape or a portrait format, whatever suits you best.

Once you have had enough experience of the trade shows by renting different types of stands, you learn a lot. It is more economic and once you have had enough experience then you can think of buying one of your own custom built exhibition stand.…

The Benefits of Professional Exhibition Stand Design

It is rare to have an exhibition where yours is the only company providing a particular product or service.

With rival firms selling their wares just a few feet away, your company needs to do everything it can to make sure it stands out among the competition. One surefire way of getting an edge is to employ the services of a professional exhibition stand designer.

Although putting a stand together may appear to be a simple and straightforward endeavor, this is far from the case. The best stands incorporate elements of architecture, interior design, marketing, sound engineering and product development – all specialist areas that most people are happy to leave to professionals.

A stand needs to be eye-catching and inviting but also practical so that once visitors are inside, they understand exactly what product or service is being offered and having the opportunity to ask questions or take away additional literature. The position of graphics, displays, brochure racks and even the wall panels themselves are all part of this and need to be balanced in order to present the company in the best possible light.

Exhibition Stand Contractors

A skilled designer will also choose materials and themes that reflect and enhance the values of your company. A high-quality, professional-looking stand also says something about the company exhibiting within it. Classy exhibition stand design can do wonders for your corporate identity.

The best designers produce stands that are re-useable, allowing you to attend shows in other parts of the country or the world using the same basic materials. Having a modular design, where elements can be added or taken away, allows you to install a version of the stand in venues of various sizes or ones which have different rules about the maximum build height or width.

An exhibition stand designer will often become the project manager for the exhibition and take responsibility for gathering together all the necessary workmen and craftspeople needed for the installation. This can free up your own staff until the moment they are needed and give you peace of mind that the people in charge of putting everything together know what they are doing.

Your First Exhibition

If you are planning your first exhibition, you can waste a huge amount of time and energy getting up to speed with the various rules and regulations that are contained within the manual of the venue. By hiring someone to design and oversee the project you can use your time more constructively.

If you are concerned about the cost, a good exhibition stand contractor can work within any budget. In many cases, the less money they have to spend, the more creative they are about finding way to satisfy the client’s brief. It is also important to remember that, if the goal of attending the exhibition is to drum up additional business, having a cheap-looking stand that attracts no visitors could ultimately end up costing you more in lost clients.

First impression count and if the first encounter a potential client has with your company is your stand at an exhibition, you’d best be sure it’s a good one.…

The Power Of A Great Banner

They’re big and bold for big bold statements…

Big written statements need a big place to make the impact they deserve. No matter what you want to say, if you need to say it loud and proud there is nothing much better than a banner. Loudspeakers can be misheard, emails can be lost or discarder, websites can be blocked and people can be ignored. A banner is unavoidable, unmistakeable and can echo for much longer than anything else.

Here are some great examples of where a banner is irreplaceable:

Political

Politics is all about messages: messages of support, messages of intention, messages of anger etc. Every stage of the political process from the unrelenting election campaigns, right through to the smear campaigns that are inevitable for all but the cleanest of politicians involve big sound bite messages that the media and public lap up.

Banners in politics are especially powerful as they leave little to the imagination. Who can forget the devil eyes of Tony Blair from a Conservative billboard banner campaign? Not only did people see this, but the media splashed in on their front pages and carried it further than the graphic artist might ever have hoped for.

Protests

Following nicely from politics, protests are another area where banners have a big impact. Lost amid a sea of clenched fists, a big bold banner can easily be picked up by the television cameras and delivered to computers and TVs around the world in seconds. Protests are all about getting your point across and making bold statements that will hopefully be listened to by all who see and hear the protest. Cheap banners shout louder than hundreds of people and can carry more weight as its meaning lingers for longer than the last handcuffed activist hanging from a fencepost.

Advertising

A great advertising banner is worth a lot of money. Just as political and protest banners have an impact on citizens; an advertising banner or series of exhibition displays have the power to influence everyone who reads it into spending money on a product. (Or so the advertising agency hopes.) When an agency designs a banner to be used in an advertising campaign they need to think about everything including: who their target audience is, where they are going to put the banner, what they want the reader to do, how the message reflects on their company as a whole and so much more. Every detail is crucial as the power of a banner can also backfire.…