i really need to visit...

...the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY. It has been years since I have made a pilgrimage to the photographic epicenter of the united states- and it is about time. It is a beautiful location and Roger Ballen has a show opening the end of February. Sounds perfect to me.

image by Roger Ballen

If you never heard of GE House, this may help. Their mission is:

The George Eastman House, an independent nonprofit museum, is an educational institution that tells the story of photography and motion pictures—media that have changed and continue to change our perception of the world. We:

1. Collect and preserve objects that are of significance to photography, motion pictures, and the life of George Eastman.
2. Build information resources to provide the means for both scholarly research and recreational inquiry.
3. Keep and care for images, literature, and technology to tell the story of photography and the motion picture in history and in culture.
4. Care for George Eastman’s house, gardens, and archives, maintaining them for public enjoyment and as a memorial to his contribution to our lives and our times.

We do these things to inspire discovery and learning—supporting the education of a regional, national, and international audience.