WORD STUDY, by Mickey Smith

Bonsoir, mes amis. I know that there's some morning left for most of you, but we're heading into evening here in Paris and I'm late for the preview of Paris Photo, which is the whole reason I am here to begin with. Ooh la la!

Speaking of photography, it's time for this week's photo edition, from Minneapolis native Mickey Smith. More Minneapolis - can you believe it? All those artist grants available out there are clearly put to good use!

WORD STUDY is part of Mickey's ongoing series Volume. As you can see on the homepage, it looks fabulous alongside yesterday's edition, Radar, by Aili Schmeltz. Why not bring some WORD STUDY into your own life? Buy it now, our editions are as follows:

8.5"x11"
Edition of 200 each $20.

17"x22"
Edition of 20 each $200.

30"x40"
Edition of 2 each $2000.

I love the whole Volume series, but I was particularly pleased when Mickey suggested this one. I am a word nerd - I subscribe to word of the day emails, go through phases of crossword puzzle addiction and earnestly dig etymology. And all the associations are very neat and tidy - you study at libraries which involves looking at words in books. And wouldn't you know it? WORD STUDY, like all the other photos from the series, is a photo of books in a library. Certainly there are words inside worth studying.

I think that I might sound a bit insane and punchy at the moment, and if I do, it's because I am. I am jet-lagged and exhausted from not being able to communicate with people. I am a communicator, a talker, a language lover by nature.

I could use some WORD STUDY myself. French words to be exact, because I know none of them and it's proving to be rather problematic. (Not to mention embarrassing.) I have spent the past two days walking in a cone of silence which has only been punctured on occasion by comedic exchanges where each party thinks the other will understand if we just. talk. slowly. enough. It's stressful, but in a way I am enjoying how humbling it is, and how the difference in language shifts one's perspective.

Soon I will be off among English speaking photophiles which is sure to be a treat, but first I have to figure out how to tell the taxi driver where to take me. Next week I'll be back home and less punchy. Until then, Enjoy Ms. Smith and all the other great art that's rapidly accumulating in our archives.