The Annenberg Space for Photography Announces Programming in Support of BEAUTY CULTURE Exhibit Opening May 21, 2011

LOS ANGELES, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Annenberg Space for Photography is offering additional programming to enrich the BEAUTY CULTURE exhibit including digital films, which expand on the themes of the exhibit; the BEAUTY CULTURE Digital Salon, where guests can experiment with virtual makeovers; and the IRIS Nights lecture series, presenting top fashion, beauty and pop culture photographers and editors.

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BEAUTY CULTURE is a photographic exploration of how feminine beauty is defined, challenged and revered in modern society. The exhibit features works from iconic photographers such as Albert Watson, Bert Stern, Herb Ritts, Man Ray, Jean-Paul Goude, ORLAN, Guy Bourdin, Horst, Melvin Sokolsky, Ellen von Unwerth, Lillian Bassman, Matthew Rolston, Philippe Halsman, Lauren Greenfield, Susan Anderson, Tyen and Carrie May Weems. BEAUTY CULTURE encourages a social dialogue about the allure and mystique of the pursuit of female beauty, as well as the cult-like glorification and multi-billion dollar industries that surround it.

In addition to the 175 images on display in the Print Gallery, hundreds more images from the BEAUTY CULTURE photographers fill the Digital Gallery's larger-than-life, high-resolution screens in a digital slideshow.

The exhibition is accompanied by a short documentary film directed by acclaimed photographer and award-winning documentarian Lauren Greenfield.  The digital film brings the print exhibit's themes to life and features interviews with well-known photographers, models, historians and beauty experts who guide visitors on a fascinating photographic exploration of the culture – and cult – of beauty.

Voice of the Photographer video segments share interviews with the exhibit's four featured photographers – Lauren Greenfield, Melvin Sokolsky, Tyen and Albert Watson.

The Photography Space has also created an interactive BEAUTY CULTURE Digital Salon.  Guests can alter an image of themselves by changing their hair style, hair color and eye color and by applying cosmetics.  They can explore the idea of the beauty of facial symmetry by applying a filter to average the two sides of their face. Visitors can then choose to email or upload to Facebook their "before" or "after" image.

The Photography Space continues its popular weekly IRIS Nights lecture series.  Visitors can hear first-hand from photographers and other professionals about their experiences in the industry and their perspectives on photography's role in the definition of beauty.  Guest speakers include Jill Greenberg, Melvin Sokolsky, Susan Anderson, Lauren Greenfield and Davis Factor, among others.  The IRIS Nights lecture series takes place Thursday evenings in the Photography Space and is free to the public with advance registration.  The current schedule is listed below.  Additional lectures will be announced later this summer.

BEAUTY CULTURE

IRIS NIGHTS LECTURE SERIES SCHEDULE

June 2, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Jill Greenberg
Jill Greenberg will be speaking on her photographic work as it relates to the range and history of practices of aggressive feminine bodily transformation, restrictive clothing and even corporal punishment of women.

June 9, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Melvin Sokolsky
The prerequisites of beauty have changed over the ages. Melvin Sokolsky, one of BEAUTY CULTURE's featured photographers, will give his personal insights on how the press and media have influenced the concept of beauty over the ages.

June 16, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Susan Anderson
Specializing in fashion, portraiture and conceptual/narrative work, Susan Anderson delved into the world of child beauty pageants for her book High Glitz: The Extravagant World of Child Beauty Pageants.  Her work is displayed in the BEAUTY CULTURE exhibit.

June 23, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Mark Laita
Mark Laita has built a reputation for producing award-winning commercial work for clients including Adidas, Apple, Mercedes-Benz and MINI.  Mark's non-commercial work urges viewers to reconsider or reinforce their perception of American archetypes by exploring themes such as beauty, career, age and wealth.

July 14, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Andrew Southam
In a career that has spanned more than 25 years, Andrew Southam has gained an international reputation for his images of beautiful women, including some of the definitive photographs of Liv Tyler, Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman and Jewel.  His work has also garnered such accolades as a Dove Award and honors from the Society of Publication Designers.

July 28, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Paul Lange
Photographs by New York-based photographer Paul Lange have been featured in scores of distinguished national and international publications such as Vogue, Glamour, GQ, Mademoiselle, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, British Vogue, and the New York Times. His work is displayed in the BEAUTY CULTURE exhibit.

September 1, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Davis Factor
Davis Factor, based in Los Angeles, has had a varied career photographing celebrities and models for prestigious fashion magazines such as Vanity Fair; advertising campaigns such as Mercedes Benz, Cartier and Maybelline; and movie studios and television networks including Paramount and Warner Bros.

September 15, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Leonard Nimoy
Actor, writer and photographer Leonard Nimoy has possessed a love for photography since he was a child. BEAUTY CULTURE features images from his “The Full Body Project” which uses photographs of non-classical models in a hope to foster discussions about beauty, social acceptance, culture and health.

September 22, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Kwaku Alston
Kwaku Alston will show a selection of his celebrity and personal portraits, as well as discuss symbols of beauty in our culture and how he responds to or draws influence from them.  Alston, who is also a sought-after advertising photographer, will reflect on his experiences with how beauty is defined in the creative industry. 

September 29, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Mark McKenna and David Fahey
Mark McKenna, Executive Director of the Herb Ritts Foundation, helps support and direct the Foundation's two main objectives: continuing Herb's longstanding support of HIV/AIDS research and supporting Herb's deep passion for photography.
David Fahey, co-owner and partner of the Fahey/Klein Gallery, wrote the introduction to Herb Ritts: The Golden Hour, a book celebrating the work of his colleague and personal friend.

October 6, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Peter Fetterman
Peter Fetterman has been deeply involved in the medium of photography for over 30 years.  Initially a filmmaker and collector, he set up his first gallery over 20 years ago.  The Peter Fetterman Gallery has one of the largest inventories of 20th century photography in the country.

October 20, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Mona Kuhn
Mona Kuhn's photographic work has been exhibited, and is included in public and private collections, both internationally and in the United States.  Her figurative work is focused on redefining ways of looking at the body, as a residence to ourselves.  

October 27, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Elaine D'Farley and Philip Gefter
As SELF Magazine's beauty director, Elaine D'Farley researches the hottest brands and latest trends to create quality beauty editorial.  She will be joined by photo critic Philip Gefter.

November 3, 2011, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Lauren Greenfield
Named as one of the 25 most influential photographers of our time by American PHOTO, Lauren Greenfield was commissioned to create the BEAUTY CULTURE documentary film due to her extensive work capturing youth culture, body image and the effects of consumerism.

November 10, 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Public Lecture: Frank W. Ockenfels
Over nearly two decades, Frank Ockenfels has photographed musicians, celebrities and corporate leaders.  His images have graced the covers of Rolling Stone, Esquire, Premiere, Blender, Newsweek, Wired, Entertainment Weekly, Spin, New York Magazine, and Gear and have also appeared in W, Outside, and UK Conde Nast Traveler.

BEAUTY CULTURE runs from May 21, 2011 through November 27, 2011.

Annenberg Space for Photography
2000 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Tel: 213.403.3000  
http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org  
Wednesday through Sunday: 11 AM - 6 PM; Closed Monday and Tuesday.
General admission is free.  

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 three times a year.   It is the first solely photographic cultural destination in the Los Angeles area.

About the Annenberg Foundation

The Annenberg Foundation is a private family foundation that provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations in the United States and globally. Since 1989, it has generously funded programs in education and youth development; arts, culture and humanities; civic and community life; health and human services; and animal services and the environment. In addition, the Foundation and its Board of Directors are directly involved in the community with several projects that expand and complement its grant support to nonprofits.  Among them are innovative nonprofit capacity building initiatives, the Annenberg Space for Photography, Explore, and the Metabolic Studio.  The Annenberg Foundation exists to advance the public well-being through improved communication. As the principal means of achieving this goal, the Foundation encourages the development of more effective ways to share ideas and knowledge.

SOURCE The Annenberg Foundation