Critical Questions: Tim Barber

Photographer Tim Barber started tinyvices.com in 2005--seriously back in the day in Internet terms--to showcase the work of other photographers he liked, and the site continues to be a destination for discovering new photography. We've been fans for a minute, since a visit to the site yields a quick study in work from around the world-often dreamy and otherworldly-as well as a much-needed fix of visual inspiration when coffee just isn't cutting it. We asked Tim a little more about the genesis of Tiny Vices, and he told us about some upcoming photography shows he's curating in New York, too.

CM: Where do you live, where are you from, and what do you do?

TB: I live in New York City. I was born in Vancouver, Canada, grew up in Amherst, Massachusetts, lived for a few years in Northern Vermont, went back to Vancouver for school, and moved to New York in 2003. I'm a photographer, editor and curator and I run the website tinyvices.com.

What was your hope when you started Tiny Vices? Why did you start the site?

I wanted to have an accessible platform where I could showcase photography and artwork that I thought was interesting. I started it in 2005.

Do you find shifting from photographer to curator (and back again) comes naturally to you? What do you enjoy most about curating photographers and photographs?

I think both practices use very similar muscles in my brain. Editing is involved in every aspect of photography and I've always liked collaborating with people whose work I admire.

You're somewhat of a pioneer in this whole web-publishing thing. What do you like and/or dislike about the online medium for your gallery, and for photography in general?

What's bad about global accessibility and limitless creative freedom? As far as tools go, the Internet serves its purpose perfectly.

Helping to build and contribute to a creative community must be very rewarding. Any thoughts about how today's downtown New York community might be different from the city's heyday in the ‘60s and ‘70s?

I really don't think of tinyvices.com as being specific to downtown New York at all. The artists showcased on the site are from all over the world. Only about a quarter of the artists with portfolios on the site live in New York.

How has the Tiny Vices community of photographers and artists evolved since the site started, for example in terms of the work they do, the types of artists Tiny Vices attracts?

There's not really a way to answer that. I get submissions from dozens of people everyday that do not fall into any category or type. My tastes and interests have evolved since I started the project, but not in a definable way. I'm always looking for what feels new and/or unique.

What's been the most surprising outcome since you started the site?

The continued interest and the steady flow of submissions from all over the world.

Where does the name Tiny Vices come from?

It's a piece of a lyric from a song by Bill Callahan called "Hangman Blues."

Who/what are some of your inspirations? Any favorite places you've traveled?

Running tinyvices.com keeps me inspired. My favorite city other than NY is Tokyo.

Any photographers on your radar right now whose work our readers should be sure to check out?

Everyone on tinyvices.com!