Haiti - my personal story

Tuesday night  a week ago, announced an incredible human catastrophe of unparallel human consequence. For a few hours, I was totally shocked, watching the reports from Haiti. Four hours into the tragedy, I decided intuitively that I will be doing something personal to help and contribute.  Something I was familiar with , create a group of support for Haiti in Facebook. I named it "Help Haiti 2010." 

Why Haiti, well as a child, me and my siblings were very lucky to have received the care and love from some wonderful Haitian women who helped my parents raise us. I grew up with Haitian stories, primitive paintings and beautiful stories of this exotic place. For me Haiti was the land of fantasy and beauty, with people that inspired my dreams at night and as an adult these memories are still sticking  in my mind like it was yesterday.

So coming back to my facebook group, I saw, how instantly people were signing up to become members. A few hours later I called my friend France Consul General Philippe Lalliot and we spoke about what we can do in NYC, maybe a collection of clothes or something else significant. Talking to him , he mentioned that  his deputy Consul was an expert on Haiti and that he had managed the "crisis operation" at the Quai d’Orsay for Haiti in a previous tragedy. I immediately realized that this important piece of information will not stale in my mind. Within minutes I was on the phone with Patrick Lachausee, France Deputy consul General in NYC, and told him that I was setting up a Facebook page for Haiti and I really wanted him to be part of my group and become and administrator. Well that was a very smart move that gave Patrick  the ability to express his great communication skills and organization ability a few days later. Trough the next few days, we saw the interest in our group grow significantly , other friends joined and help us increase  our visibility. I was speaking to my friend Antoine Blech , a talented French singer in NYC who also operates a successful cabaret restaurant named Opia and told him why don’t you call my friend Vanessa Jacquemin , another talented American Haitian singer who usually sings with her husband , a reincarnation of  Django Reinhardt . Well that was the beginning of our fundraiser, the one I am writing about in the following paragraphs.

Thank you all, we can all be proud to have participated in this beautiful night of friendship and solidarity with Haiti whose revenues went to international children's organization “Save the Children”. I want to particularly highlight the effort and vision of our friend Patrick that more than anyone helped us take an idea and bring it to reality through him we can also thank the French Consulate who gave us their moral support for this endeavor..
Richard Ortoli, President of  Comité des  Associations Françaises also present Monday night,  reaffirmed his support and friendship to the people of Haiti. Antoine Blech was incredible, not only did he sing magnificently but he also made Opia so hospitable and generous, everything went so smoothly and gracefully. We had the incredible french rapper Kemedji Kémi alias "Alkimixx" who made a surprise guest appearance that was truly extra-ordinary and riveting.

Again, all the participants were fantastic, all gave the max of themselves to help.

The Francophile and French together with the Haitian community last night responded vigorously and enthusiastically  to the fundraiser, about 300 people maybe. For an event that was put together in 3 days it is a huge success.

The fundraiser for Haiti last night was one of the best evening I had in NewYork. It was so emotional and fun and we raised a nice amount of money.

People did not want to leave and it lasted for 6 hours. The artists,Vanessa and Alex Jacquemin, Antoine Blech,  Francis Jocky, Super star piano player Patrick Lachausse were incredibly talented. Francis kept the room electrified in ways, I rarely seen before, people were extatic listening to him.Olga Statz, speech brought people to tears of hope.

I could not be happier about its impact on everyone. It was a night that people will remember a long time.

Hopefully that will help us to do another great event a little later this year.

Special thank, to JC Agid, Pierre Battu, Agnes and Bruno Thiery, Pierre Georges Bonnefil, Richard Ortoli, Cecilia Rodhe, Sara Conca, Katrin Yaghoubi Sosnick, Stephane Gerbier,Tobi Rubinstein Schneier

 Ron Agam, Patrick Lachausse

Richard Ortoli, Ron Agam, Patrick Lachausse

Renaud Dutreil, Catherine Dutreil, Ron Agam, Cecilia Rodhe, Antoine Blech

 Ron Agam, Helene Brenkman

Cecilia Rodhe, Francis Jocky, Ron Agam, Yelenah Noah

New York's Governor and France Consul General meet 32 feet above the ground.

Last night was a very special moment in New York City. David A. Paterson New York's Governor came to light the worlds largest Hanukah Menorah created by Yaacov Agam at 59St and Fifth Avenue.The governor lighted the Shamash in sub freezing temperature 32 feet above the ground lifted with Rabbi Butman in a cherry picker actioned by Con Edison people. On this occasion he delivered a magnificent speech on the history of Hanukah and its present signification.

The governor spirit was very high and he also addressed the many journalists and television stations reporting the occasion. My friend French Consul General, Philippe Lalliot also part of the ceremony addressed the numerous crowd from up there and wished the participants a warm and happy Hanukah personnaly and on behalf of France. His honor mentioned the close ties between France and the Jewish community in America and was warmly applauded by the crowd. Indeed a special moment when Governor Paterson and France's representative in New York city wishes the jewish community their best wishes for this major Jewish holiday celebrating the freedom and liberty of the jewish people in an ambiance of Miracles. It was an historical moment.

     Philippe Lalliot,Consul General de France, Ron Agam, David A. Paterson New York's Governor,Mr.W, Rabbi Butman at the lighting of the worlds largest Hanukah Menorah created by Yaacov Agam at 59St and Fifth Avenue last night.

French Consul General Philippe Lalliot addressing the hundreds of people who came for the lighting of the seven candle of Hanukah in sub freezing temperature, high above the skyline of NYC, 32 feet above the ground. His honor spoke on behalf of France and personally wishing his best on the occasion of Hanukah to the America Jewish community.

A time of pride and renewal

In these holidays of Hanukkah and Christmas, we are all enjoying the benefit of celebrating freedom and renewal. If there is one city in the world where a jew feels as free as he is in Israel, it’s the incredible city of New-York. Since living here for now almost 30 years, I feel like a fish in the sea. My religious freedom and my jewish identity have never been in doubt in this incredible city that has been a haven to so many different ethnicities. I think that trough my testimony, millions of New Yorkers can identify to my credo, and certainly millions of other people in the world can agree to it. Because NYC is where more people in the world want to emigrate than any other place in the face of the world.

For my family, every year for the past 25 years, NYC during the holiday has become an enormous source of pride. My father Yaacov Agam has created a Menorah that stands 32 feet high in the junction of Fifth Avenue and 59^th street, some say the center of city. So when I walk by this area ,my pride as a jew and a son is at an all time high. During the holiday tens of thousands of jews walk by this menorah and probably feel the same pride , to see the symbol of the jewish people standing tall and high in the world most important city. This Menorah was a collaboration between my Father and Chabad led by Rabbi Butman, who is now a very dear friend of mine and the family.

                                                     Agam lighting the Menorah

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rabbi Butman. and Yaacov Agam during the lighting of the world's largest Chanukah Menorah in New York City created by Agam

                                                The menorah in the Manhattan Skyline.

Today Friday, it is my world series day !

I love Fridays, my beloved father always told me that the best things happen to him on this day.

A little magic here and there and Fridays have a great meaning with the Agam’s. Today, I was expecting the visit of an amazing person to my studio. I don’t want to sound nutty, but this man is really a legend in the world of Sports.

So this afternoon when he came with his wife and entourage, I was very pleased to see him entering my world. My studio is really an artist place, works of art, photograph everywhere, small, medium, big , some gigantic ones.

When they entered my space, I could see in their eyes the surprise and excitement, they came from Manhattan to Long Island city to see me and some of my new works.

I would not divulge more but as an artist, I was flattered and humbled. This man was America hero just a few weeks ago, and probably for a few days, the most talked person in the country.

New York is where anything can happen; America ‘s hero loves my art and my photography. The little boy in me is laughing and giggling from pleasure. Never did I think that when I was doing these photographs, famous people will drive miles to see them and own them. Keep dreaming little boy, and most important keep creating.

Hideki Matsui World Series MVP 2009 Yankees visiting Ron Agam studio

Always more surprises in the city that never sleeps

Ah, yes the city that never sleeps, indeed I am becoming a living imprint of this famous Sinatra song. My mind is constantly active and restless. How little time there is in a day to do all the things, I wish I could do. New York is on a time of its own, always racing and moving.

Lately I realized that I just cannot sleep and rest, my passions and work are so intertwined that work is play and play is work. Lucky me.

I miss Paris, it has been a while since my last visit. In my studio in Long Island City, I constantly look at this image I did a while back, where the Seine, Pont de la Tournelle and Cathedral Notre Dame are composed in some miraculous synchronicity with a sky reminiscent of heaven in a good day.Thats the Paris of the city of lights, I mean day light..

My love for this image persuaded my friend and now collaborator Eli Wilner to frame me this singular photography. In his now masterly way, he told me very discreetly, Ron let me do something extraordinary for you. Evidently, who am I, to tell the master what to do.

Needless to tell you that my surprise became, ecstasy in its purest form when I saw the result of this second collaboration. Eli, is calling me  Vermeer of the photography world because of this particular photography.

I know Vermeer work well and to receive such a compliment makes me blush and close my eyes in a sign of serene humility.  Photography is my life and passion, this is where I am alive and vibrant.

 Creation is a godly act, and few people ever reached Vermeer incredible genius.

Now, here we are reaching this pinnacle where friendship and talent can create the unthinkable, Eli went out of his way to recreate a frame , he recently used for another great Spanish master.

I will keep the surprise for your eyes to discover. Here it is.

What does the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Ron Agam have in common ?

New York is truly an incredible place to live and work.  Throughout my life here , I have experienced moments of incredible intensity and joy.

My great pleasure in life is to have great encounters, nothing fills my heart and soul more so than meeting people with whom I can think and create, dream and finally have amazing conversation.

For this our cosmopolitan city can serve, you well. A few months ago, I had the privilege to meet a man, Eli Wilner, who was introduced to me as the greatest frame maker in the city. First, I was impressed, then I really did not know, why this great artisan would be interested in meeting a contemporary photographer. For me, his world was the world of classical painters, established museums, high-end collectors of treasures only accessible to a world of high privilege.

So when, he first came to my studio and loved my work, especially my gigantic portraits of flowers, I was of course, pleased, to get his special attention. . He was for me a man from another universe, a man that spends his time, framing paintings for the Metropolitan Museum, the White House, he recently framed 28 paintings there.

We talked about art , photography, people we knew, collectors and the world. The visit lasted an hour and it was a pleasant time.

Weeks later, I was bicycling in his neighborhood and in my backpack I had a small 8 x 8 inch photograph of mine. I decided to call on him , and see if he will receive me in his studio. I was just curious to see what kind of work and frames, he was working on.

I rang at his door and a lovely lady opened the door and directed me towards, Eli’s office. Eli is a very distinguished man, dressed in impeccable style, thin, tall and very soft spoken. I was dressed like a bike messenger; in black with a yellow helmet, not exactly the cool downtown artist. I immediately pulled from my messenger bag, my little treasure. To my surprise, Eli looked at the piece and without thinking twice told me Ron, why don’t you choose a frame and I will do it for you. Now to just give you an idea, he just finished framing an 80 million dollars Picasso, and here I was with my “little portrait of flower” being asked to choose a frame for it.

Not shying away, I looked at hundred of rares profiles and choose a 17 Century Italian carved and gilded frame. It was for me an incredible opportunity to bring my contemporary photography into a world of classical creation. I just loved the idea, and Eli even more than me; here for a rare time, he was talking to a living artist and could interact and share a special moment.

Just a few days ago, Eli called and told me that my custom made replica frame was ready and I should come and see it. I was marveled by its beauty. Now I am even more inspired to create and work with Eli on even more complicated pieces. He just mentioned to me that he would like to frame one of my 8 x 8 feet pieces. See life is full of surprise. I will probably have to mortgage my house to pay for it !

These are some of Eli Wilner accomplishments, 28 frame projects for The White House. Most recently, he created a hand-carved and gilded replica of the lost original frame for Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze. This frame will be the focal point of the renovated American Wing at The Metropolitan Museum, and is slated to be unveiled at the opening in the spring of 2011. The frame's opening size is over 12 x 21 feet, and is surmounted by an elaborate construction twelve feet across displaying an eagle, flags, pikes, a banner and other regalia. 

Meeting Israel Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger

It is not every day that you are invited to meet the Israeli Chief Rabbi.  A very dear friend of mine wanted me to meet this illustrious man. First, I hesitated, not really willing to admit that I was not comfortable meeting such a holly man. Not being really religious, I felt a certain unease to be sitting across a man that embodied a conservative religious establishment with whom, I did not have much in common besides being born Israeli and a Jew.

Then I decided that, I should get out of my comfort zone and meet a man who I  must respect because of his very important title within my community. So I proceeded to the meeting, in an elegant office somewhere in midtown, a few minutes after entering the very beautiful offices where the meeting was to be, I heard a little commotion behind the door, it must have been the rabbi and his entourage indeed I was right. Walking into the room, a tall bearded man, with a very elegant demeanor approaches me and introduced himself, I was taken a little by surprise by his warm and very kind approach. He did in a split second succeed  in making me comfortable and at ease . How simple it is when someone knows how to deal with people, I always admire these magnetic personalities that make you feel like the center of the world when they barely know you and where the entire meeting last for  a minute or two. To us mere mortals , these very instants can last an eternity and have a profound influence on us for the rest of our lives.

The first thing that attracted my attention was his face, I felt I was in presence of someone special, he had a very graceful appearance, the one you identify with highly spiritual people, a very clear skin and an intense look,  I immediately sensed that I was in the presence of a special man.

We talked on a variety of subjects and after an hour , we agreed to see each other again in Israel. The Rabbi gave me his card and insisted on giving me his cellular phone as well, I was pleased because this meant to me that he genuinely wanted me to keep the contact alive.

My take on the Rabbi was that he was a man attached to his traditions but had also a very open approach to the modern world and that dialog was part of his agenda. I understand that his position is also politically delicate but when I asked him what was his most important wish while being Chief Rabbi of Israel, his answer came unequivocally in one strong and vocal pronouncement “Peace”.

For anyone in his position, to say that, meant that he understood the problems of the other side as well. And this for me meant that he was open to listening and solving very difficult problems.