The Annenberg Space For Photography Is Days Away
We are very happy that the Annenberg Foundation loves photography. A lot.
They have created this unique new space in Los Angeles, the Annnenberg Space for Photography, that has gone way beyond a simple exhibition building.
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Of course what they have done with 10,000 sq is amazing. What could have become a simple box, was instead transformed into an experiential space with the centerpiece room sporting 2 hi-res 4K screens, showing a constantly changing array of digitized photographs, in incredible quality.
Monitors this good are actually only found at NASA, and well, in this space.
As well as the screens, are more traditional prints, either shown off in a singular fashion, or gathered to create a full gestalt of an artists iconic work.
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Look up for a sec, and you’ll be rewarded with the blades of a lens iris, incorporated into the ceiling design, further emphasizing the circular shape of this main viewing room.
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But, we digress.
Lets go back to the beginning for a second.
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When you first enter, the walls are currently covered with the photographs of master architectural photographer, Julius Shulman, who has captured the designs of Los Angeles in massive prints.
This 93 year old photographer also photographed this space, earlier this month.
As you walk down the hall, you will find 2 sitting areas with 2 of the 150 Microsoft SURFACE touch screen table tops in the world, allowing you to interact and play with the images from the exhibit, making your own viewing table.
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And then the walls appear to curve around , leading you to the main room.
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Ok, they don’t just appear to be curving, they do.
And the walls are filled with classic silver prints, leading you to the main room, you saw at the top of this page.
This place is so photographic centric that there is even photography when you are in the restrooms.
[photopress:annenberg_2.jpg,full,centered] seriously, there is a monitor embedded into the mirror, with media running.
Or just waiting for them.
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The LA Times has kiosks, showing some of the best photojournalistic images from their archives, in the hallway in front of the restrooms.
What you don’t see when you walk through the space:
There is a seminar and workshop room behind a sliding wall where the masters of photography will be teaching. check the schedule for upcoming classes. We hear that in the future, the plan is for these classes to be broadcast online, allowing photographers around the world to take advantage of the same workshops.
And there is a concept in the Annenberg family that was shared with us on our tour. It seems that some of the best conversations happen in the kitchen.
It’s that way in our house. Yours, too?
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So they’ve built a full up beautiful kitchen to create that “salon” feeling , and will encourage the invited guests to hang out, eat pasta, and discuss the world of photography. What do we mean by salon? It is basically gathering the best minds and, in a very comfortable environment, sharing thoughts on bigger picture concepts in the world. In our case, the photographic world.
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Hmmm…how do we get an invitation to that?
And there is a non-lending library of materials, both print and other media that will allow the visitors to look, read and learn, and otherwise drink up the world of photography.
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It’s the last bits we discussed that has separated the Space for Photography from other photographic institutions. The well rounded, encompassing thought process for all that is here could only have come from people who are as passionate about photography as we are. And it shows.
Entrance to the space is free. Workshops and seminars will be charged extra.
Tonight we’ll hit the opening gala, and in a day or 2 we’ll give a review of the opening show, L8S ANG3LES
Hours (starting March 27th, 2009)
Wed-Sun: 11am – 6pm
Century Plaza
2000 Avenue of the Stars, #10
Los Angeles, CA 90067
tel: 213.403.3000
fax: 213.403.3100
Do you think we are a little excited?
Plus right on the heels of this opening is the Month of Photography In LA.
Love the Spring.