Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/12/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Eight Is not enough: Local Photographer Sues Magazine Over Rating By Micky Bling Inquirer Staff Writer For some people being ranked the eigth greatest living photographer is the dream of a lifetime. Not so for West Philadelphia native Kyle Cassidy. "I'm going to sue those bastards until they can't afford a razor blade to slit their wrists with," the controversial photographer told a collection of reporters gathered on his front steps. "Now get lost," he added, "before I let the dogs loose." Kyle Cassidy's career has been spotted with greatness and controversy. Largely recognized as the loudest photographer at any party his "work" has consisted of a bizarre caucophony of subjects that have left many art critics scratching their heads. 2004's exhibition "Asshats Who Parked in My Driveway" is a collection of large format photographs of cars parked illegally in Cassidy's Locust Street driveway and brief video clips of him dousing them with gasoline and setting them on fire. "Arson is only the first step, it's only the briefest taste into his exquisite madness" says Olan Beauchilfarch, the homelss curator of "Art Beneath The Bridge" who has been displaying works under the 46th street el stop for fifteen years. Beauchilfafrch has known Cassidy since 1995 when he himself was a subject of one of Cassidy's photos "Rabbit Punching Ten Random People". "He came up behind me an punched me in the back of the head. It was like I'd been hit by a garbage truck. I turned around and he snapped a photograph of me." Beauchilfarch immediately asked Cassidy to do a show under the bridge. "The show went really well, until the cops tore it down and chased us all out. I'd sold a couple of pieces and pigeons ruined a few others. But it was really the start of a wonderful friendship." This, though, like many of Cassidy's friendships, was completely one sided. "I asked if I could sleep under his porch when it rained. He maced me and took my photo. But, well, it's what you put up with when you're dealing with geniuses." The controversial ranking by Photorama Magazine places Cassidy behind greats like Sebastian Salgado and James Natchwey and in front of others like Cindy Sherman and Anne Geddes.