Your name: Alison Grippo Age(optional): 34 Where are you from? Manhattan, NY Where do you live now? Manhattan, NY (perils of never learning how to drive) What's your day job? (if you have one) I'm a project manager at an Internet agency... I'm one of those dot.com/bomb folk. Which artists inspire you? (Doesn't need to be photographers necessarily) Mary Ellen Mark - Her streetwise gave me the bright idea of getting up at 3am to shoot New York life when I was in highschool. Note to self: young girl, 8th avenue, in the early 80s carrying a camera - bad idea. Describe that moment when you knew for sure that photography was something you wanted to pursue seriously: It's always been in the back of the brain, but about a year ago I was in a slump and made a commitment to do something creative which i enjoyed for 30 days. Every day I carried my camera and I walked the streets. Every day I took pictures until finally I i realized that I had lost track of what day it was and I knew I wasn't going to put the camera down again. What kind of camera do you use? For most everything it's my trusty canon 20D, I have an old twin lens that's a tank which I can barely lift that I will use on occasion. I think I have more fun looking through the waist level viewfinder than actually shooting with that camera, which I'm sure is what the manufacturer was thinking too "it will take pictures and it will be a home entertainment device". What's your favorite film? Is there a movie out there better than Tuff Turf? James Spader, Robert Downey Jr. hair crimping, tube skits, and florescent ankle socks with 3 inch red heels? I think not. I'm terrible at this question, ok I will admit it, I love Jerry Bruckheimer movies. I'm a sucker for a big bang and the everyman saving the world. Long live Con Air! What's your Favorite Museum? The Museum of Natural History. It's actually the only museum where I have a membership. Who is your hero? Eek. Hero? Hmm. Batman? In all seriousness, I think there are a a good deal of people who I look up to and hope to emulate in certain ways on a daily level. It may sound sort of sappy, but there is a fellow, Robert (Bobby) Charles -- he was an incredibly close friend of the family. I do often think of him when I think of who I would call a "hero" or an "inspiration". He was just a "guy", but he was a guy who always fought for he felt was fair whether it was for himself or anyone around him. He has a small fan club throughout the lower east side -- I'm a member. Who's your favorite musical artist/group? Oh that's just too humiliating to answer. For the record, though, it is not Clay Aiken. What are you reading now? Road Work by Mark Bowden Favorite color? Oh, that's easy. Purple. I love purple. I've loved purple since I could see and say Purple. If it were up to me purple would be mandatory for all. Name at least three web sites you visit everyday: flickr.com curbed.com nytimes.com What are your favorite foods? Potatoes. Potatoes in all forms, preferably fried. Actually is "fried" a food? Because if it is, I love "fried". Do you have an interesting/obscure hobby? If so, tell us about it. Video Games. It's really not a hobby as much as it is an affliction, but I adore playing video games. If you could be any animal, what would you be? Tiger. Do you do any artsy stuff besides photography? Nope. I try and cook, but Fresh Direct has really stolen my thunder there. Have you exhibited your work in any other shows? If so, which ones? Never before. First timer, and I am really excited about it.