Date: Fri 03-Sep-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: MELISS

Quick Words:

photography-Ortiz-Discovery

Full Text:

A Look Back At 100 Years Of Photography

(with cuts)

BRIDGEPORT -- The Discovery Museum will close the 20th Century with a major

exhibit, "100 Years of Photography: Personal Visions of the 20th Century, The

Art and Technology," which opens later this month in the museum's Simpson

Galleries at 4450 Park Avenue in Bridgeport.

With signature images drawn from the archives of the Polaroid Corporation and

numerous private collections, "100 Years of Photography" offers an opportunity

to view many rarely seen color and black and white photographs, documenting

the people, places and events of this century.

Works are included by nationally and internationally known master

photographers, among them Ansel Adams, Alfred Stieglitz, Dorothea Lange and

Cindy Sherman. Several of the artists live or work in Connecticut, including

Larry Silver, Ellen Carey, Jan Murdock and Philip Trager. In all, 66

photographers are represented by over 125 images, plus several from the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

"Photography is purely a 20th Century art form and has been instrumental in

guiding the way we see ourselves and our world," says art curator Ben Ortiz,

who put the specially-created exhibit together. "In no other era have people

had the ability to view events, people and places anywhere in the world

without traveling, overlaid with the photographer's vision. We felt there was

no better art form to mark the end of the century for us."

"For people who care at all about photography and seeing the work of some of

the most distinguished photographic artists or our time," he continued, "this

exhibit is a must-see event."

Accompanying the photographs will be a display of cameras, film and photo

processing artifacts that present the developmental history of the technology

that made these works of art possible.

"This part of the exhibit highlights the bridge between art, science and

technology that photography represents, which is a natural fit for our

mission," noted Mr Ortiz.

Many of the items, as well as many of the photographs, are on loan from the

Polaroid Corporation, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The

exhibit also received support from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts.

Opening at the same time will be "VISION," a traveling exhibit sponsored by

the National Eye Institute. With modules created by the Exploration in San

Francisco, it features hands-on activities that show how the eye focuses

light, how humans perceive motion and color, and how the brain processes

visual information.

Visitors of all ages will also enjoy artifacts such as antique eyeglasses and

World War II pilot goggles. There are even "Eyeglasses of the Rich and

Famous," worn by celebrities such as former President George Bush and Muppet

star Miss Piggy. The Yale University Department of Ophthalmology and Visual

Science in New Haven has joined with The Discovery Museum in presenting this

exhibit locally.

Both the art and science exhibits, along with a one-man show of photographs by

Bridgeport police detective Vincent Verillo, will officially open on September

26, with an artist reception from 4 to 5:30 pm. The afternoon, one of the

Sunday Celebration series, will also feature creative photo workshops for

adults and children and several live performances, all starting at 1:30 pm.

"100 Years of Photography" and "VISION" will be on view through January 3 and

are included with admission.

Related Workshops

The Discovery Museum staff has created a number of workshops and lecture

programs in conjunction with "100 Years of Photography." Reservations are

required for all programs. For details and a list of all workshops being

offered, contact the museum at 372-3521, extension 115. Selected programs and

their scheduled dates follow:

September 26, "Build a Pin Hole Camera," 1:30-3:30 pm, $12, for ages 11

through adult.

September 26, "The Eye of the Camera," 1:30-3 pm, $7, for ages 5-10.

October 5, "Tuesday Talks: Photographers Panel," 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, $10,

for adults.

October 17, "Honoring the Family," 1-2:30 pm, $5, for ages 5-10.

October 17, "Preserving Family Photographers," 1:30-2:30 pm, $7, for ages 12

through adult.

October 17, "Exploring Family Roots Through Photography," 3-4:40 pm, $12, for

ages 11 through adult.

November 2, "Tuesday Talks: Photographic Techniques," 11:30 am to 12:30 pm,

$10, for adults.

November 14, "Family Heritage Photo Collage Paper Quilt," 1-3:30 pm, $12, for

ages 12 through adult.

November 14, "Magic of Polaroid Transfer," 1-3 pm, $12, for ages 12 through

adult.

November 14, "Solar Prints," 2-3 pm, $5, for ages 3-7.