An artist conversation with Elliott Erwitt, as well as a screening of three of his short films about the American South (including Beauty Knows No Pain and Red, White and Bluegrass). At the museum, 6 – 8 p.m on Wednesday, April 30. Free to Ogden Museum members, $10 general admission. Reservations recommended. For more information and to make a reservation, contact Jelena James, 504.539.9614.
No other photographer has captured the essence of America quite like Elliott Erwitt. From his celebrity portraits to his insightful portrayals of everyday American life, Erwitt, called the “invisible insider” by writers, is considered one of the most important living American photographers.
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is pleased to announce a significant exhibit of his black and white photographs and short films of the American South from 1950 to the early 1990s, organized by Ogden’s chief curator David Houston in conjunction with the Elliott Erwitt Studio. This will be the first show of Erwitt’s work to focus solely on the South and will showcase photographs that have not been previously printed or exhibited.
Opening April 19, “Elliott Erwitt’s South” will feature diverse scenes of Southern life, including images from the era of segregation such as his photograph of a segregated water fountain in North Carolina in 1950.
Erwitt, a French-born photographer, immigrated to the United States with his family at a young age. He became interested in photography while growing up in Los Angeles, and furthered his career when he moved as an adult to New York City in the early 1950s. He worked as a freelance photographer for a number of national magazines, and joined the Magnum Photo agency in 1953. Since then, he has traveled the globe photographing the common man (and dog, as he is also a dog lover) and celebrities—creating images that capture the moment.
In the 1970s, Erwitt became interested in films and has produced several, including the documentaries Beauty Knows No Pain (1971), Red, White and Bluegrass (1973) and the prize-winning Glassmakers of Herat, Afghanistan (1977). He also has at least 20 photography books to his credit.
EXHIBIT: Elliott Erwitt’s South, April 19, 2008 to July 31, 2008
Museum hours are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday evenings for Ogden After Hours.
925 camp street • new orleans • phone: 504.539.9600 http://www.ogdenmuseum.org
This exhibition made possible with the support of the Diana Helis Henry Foundation. Programming is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency. Programming is also supported in part by a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans as administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans.