Artists Harry Benson and Marcel Dzama Debut Exhibitions at World Chess Hall of Fame

SAINT LOUIS, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Chess Hall of Fame will open its doors on two new exhibits starting March 9, 2012. Bobby Fischer: Icon Among Icons, Photographs by Harry Benson, CBE and Marcel Dzama: The End Game explore the game of chess and its role in society from dramatically different angles.

The shows will run through August 12, 2012.

Harry Benson's Bobby Fischer: Icon Among Icons

Photojournalist Harry Benson's work ranges from photographs of world leaders to pop stars, all portrayed with an immediacy and naturalness that speaks of a confidence between sitter and photographer.

Benson was the only person to have private access to Bobby Fischer during the 1972 World Chess Championship in Reykjavík, Iceland. Fischer became a pop culture sensation due to his incredible playing and the Cold War matchup between him and Russian player Boris Spassky, the defending world chess champion.

Rare images of Fischer will be exhibited along with Benson's photos of other pop culture icons such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bill Clinton, Muhammad Ali, and Jacqueline Kennedy.

Sample images of Benson's work can be downloaded at http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldchesshof/sets/72157629066444378/.  Please use proper photo credit.

Marcel Dzama: The End Game features the artist's 14 minute film, A Game of Chess, alongside related drawings, paintings, sculptures, and dioramas. The work draws from a diverse range of references and artistic influences, including Dada and Marcel Duchamp.

New paintings were created especially for this exhibit, which marks the first solo showing of Dzama's work in the Midwest. A trailer for the film can be viewed at http://youtu.be/D6mySi-vCHs. Still images can be downloaded at http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldchesshof/sets/72157629066508546/. Please use proper photo credit.

About WCHoF

The World Chess Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization committed to building awareness for the cultural and artistic significance of chess. It opened on September 9, 2011 in St. Louis after moving from previous locations in New York and Miami.

The WCHoF features the U.S. and World Chess Halls of Fame, displays of artifacts from the permanent collection, and temporary art exhibitions.

For more information, visit www.worldchesshof.org. 

SOURCE The World Chess Hall of Fame