The Annenberg Space for Photography Presents Digital Darkroom, an Exploration of Altered Realities Opening December 17, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Annenberg Space for Photography is pleased to announce its next exhibit - Digital Darkroom, a group show featuring the work of 17 artists from the U.S., France and the U.K. that explores the intersection of art and technology. Digital Darkroom opens to the public in Los Angeles on December 17, 2011 and runs through May 30, 2012.

The exhibit features the work of: Josef Astor, Pierre Beteille, Joel Grimes, Ted Grudowski, Claudia Kunin, Chris Levine, Bonny Pierce Lhotka, Khuong Nguyen, Mike Pucher, Jean-Francois Rauzier, Martine Roch, Christopher Schneberger, Brooke Shaden, Stanley Smith, Maggie Taylor, Jerry Uelsmann and Jean-Marie Vives.

Their work presents altered realities using photography and digital or darkroom manipulation. Each artist is a master of different types of digital techniques: compositing highly layered imagery, working in 3D and lenticular imaging, meticulously stitching together images, using lighting in highly inventive ways and so many others. These artists and the techniques they use are representative of a generation of artists that are changing the way we view the world around us.

Serving as curatorial advisor is Russell Brown, a Senior Creative Director at Adobe Systems Incorporated and an Emmy award-winning instructor. He was instrumental in the introduction of Adobe Photoshop in 1990, which transformed the techniques used to manipulate images. Renowned for his creative artistry and his entertaining style as a Photoshop teacher, he has helped the world's leading photographers, publishers, art directors and artists to master techniques that enable their digital creations.

The show will present an interesting juxtaposition of young artists immersed in digital work against Jerry Uelsmann, a master of darkroom compositing techniques. The artists come from a range of backgrounds, each specializing in fine art, commercial art, portraiture, still life, fashion, architectural, or other types of photographic and illustrative expression. However, many of the artists cross genres and create their work using multiple techniques.

Wallis Annenberg, Chairman, CEO and President of the Annenberg Foundation said, ''I am pleased that the Annenberg Space for Photography is showcasing the work of artists who use technology to take us to new worlds and pique our imagination.''

Russell Brown said, ''The Annenberg Space for Photography is as an exhibition space on the leading edge of technology. It is the perfect venue for this show which illustrates technology's advancements in photography today. Collaborating on Digital Darkroom has enabled me to bring together some of my favorite artists who express the range of ways you can harness technology for art.''

Digital Darkroom is comprised of an 80-image print show with 2-6 images contributed by each of the featured photographers. Hundreds of additional images from Digital Darkroom's photographers will also be showcased in vivid detail on the two 14' by 7' high-resolution screens in the Photography Space's Digital Gallery. The Digital Gallery will also present a 20 to 25-minute short film featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage of select photographers discussing their craft, their objectives and image-making in the 21st century. The film will include comments from Russell Brown.

The exhibition includes a 3D film shot in 5K resolution using RED EPIC cameras, presented in a specially created screening room. This film includes interviews with 3D experts and historians Ray Zone and David Kuntz, 3D artists Ted Grudowski and Christopher Schneberger, and explores how 3D artists Claudia Kunin and Mike Pucher, photograph their subjects and alter them digitally to create 3D results. Key elements of the history of stereoscopic photography are also in the 3D film.

The IRIS Nights lecture series will continue offering lectures by other photographers and notables who work in photo manipulation.

Images are available upon request.

About the Annenberg Space for Photography

The Annenberg Space for Photography is a cultural destination dedicated to exhibiting compelling photography. The Space conveys a range of human experiences and serves as an expression of the philanthropic work of the Annenberg Foundation and its Directors. The intimate environment features state-of-the-art, high-definition digital technology as well as traditional prints by some of the world's most renowned and emerging photographers. The exhibits change twice a year. It is the first solely photographic cultural destination in the Los Angeles area.

Annenberg Space for Photography
2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, CA 90067
Tel: 213.403.3000
www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org
Wednesday through Friday: 11 am -- 6 pm, Saturday: 11 am -- 7:30 pm, Sunday: 11 am -- 6 pm,
closed Monday and Tuesday.
Admission is free.

Media Contacts:
Mira Jang Liza deVilla
Edelman Annenberg Foundation
323.202-1904 310.209-4571
[email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE The Annenberg Space for Photography