BY JASON E. SHAIMAN, CURATOR OF EXHIBITIONS Chasing Light is a photographic arts exhibition co-curated with Miami University photographers and faculty, Scott Kissell, Jeff Sabo, Ron Stevens and Jon Yamashiro. The exhibition is presented in association with the Cincinnatibased photography initiative, FotoFocus 2020, through a series of exhibitions and presentations. The FotoFocus theme of Light & inspired an exploration of how photographers look for and use light specifically in black and white photography. From the beginnings of photography in the 1820s, light has been a critical factor in the production of pictures. Simply, without light there will be no image. But, what is photography? It is the process of capturing the light that reflects off of an object and transferring those characteristics onto hard surfaces including glass, metal, paper and film. Thirty-one photographs from the Art Museum’s permanent collection are on display in this original exhibition. These images collectively demonstrate the photographer’s approach to finding specific lighting conditions or serendipitously coming across the perfect situation to enhance their study of the intended subject. Black and white photography commonly offers many more nuances of tonal gradations compared to color, making it the preferred format for the study of light. Featuring works by: Berenice Abbott | Ansel Adams | Mario A. Algaze | Margaret Bourke-White | Alan Barry Cohen | Alfred Eisenstaedt | Arthur “Weegee” Fellig | Donna Ferrato | Sally Gall | George Richmond Hoxie | Leopold Hugo | Edward Kezur | Shin-ichi Kumanomido | Anne Noggle | Olivia Parker | Steve Schapiro | Paul Strand
The Allure of Light: A Panel Discussion KISSEL, SABO, STEVENS, YAMASHIRO WED, SEP 16 | 4:30–6 PM [Virtual] TINYURL.COM/MUAMEVENTS This moderated panel discussion in the gallery includes dialogue with photographers Scott Kissel, Jeff Sabo, Ron Stevens and Jon Yamashiro. The conversation, moderated by Jason E. Shaiman, Curator of Exhibitions, will look into how chasing light affects their work and their appreciation of photographs featured in the exhibition. More on page 14.
Freedom in Black and White: The Making of a Photographer-Activist ARTIST STEVE SHAPIRO, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS THU, OCT 15 | 6–7:15 PM [Virtual] TINYURL.COM/MUAMEVENTS Photojournalist Steve Schapiro is best known for his civil rights photographs. His most recognizable images are of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project (Freedom Summer) and the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. He is also an acclaimed celebrity and film set photographer. Schapiro will discuss his work in the context of American social history. This lecture is co-sponsored with the Contemporary Art Forum. More on page 23.
VIEW EXHIBITIONS FROM HOME AT WWW.MIAMIOH.EDU/ARTMUSEUM OR IN PERSON STARTING SEPT 21* *in conjunction with return to campus plan.
Volume 9, Issue 1 | Fall 2020
ART MUSEUM
13
