My favorite museum has opened a slew of photography related exhibitions. The are “The Camera”, Gordon Parks “The Flavio Story”, and “Once Again“. The Getty Museum has consistently put on some the best photography released shows over the years. Their dedication to the history of photography has been outstanding and I go to all of their shows without even thinking. Besides it one of the top 5 places that one should visit on a trip to Los Angeles.
There are only about 10 cameras in the exhibit on the history of the camera. I was a bit surprised at the small number and the cameras that they chose to display. Mostly box cameras, 2 35mm cameras, and one digital. The digital was an Apple QuickTake that seemed like an odd choice.
I was really expecting to be wowed but left disappointed. I really did expect more cameras.
The photos by Gordon Parks were nice but not what I would call iconic. Even after just writing that statement I regret it because I have never had a photo story in a major publication. The work is good and a great deal of support material is shown such as proof sheets and outtakes that show how the photographer was thinking while working on a project. It is a good example on how just a few pictures can move people to do something about a terrible situation.
The “Once Again” is about photos in a series with a common theme. So of the images I had seen before but about half of them were new to me. This show reminded me that I could never be a museum curator. Sometime I don’t see the connections and I have always said just because it is big doesn’t mean it is good.
I fell that you have to be positive when looking at art because each image has the potential to teach me about something that I have not considered before. I wasn’t moved buy many of the images in these shows but I’m not the arbitrator of all that is good. Take a look and see what you think for yourself. The worst that can happen is that you will see one of the most beautiful museums in the world.