Media Advisory — Press Preview for “Diane Arbus: A box of ten photographs”
WHAT:
Press preview for the exhibition “Diane Arbus: A box of ten photographs”
WHEN:
Friday, April 6
10 a.m. to noon
Sign-in: 10 a.m.
Remarks: 10:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Eighth and G Street, NW
WHO:
Stephanie Stebich, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
John Jacob, the McEvoy Family Curator for Photography, Smithsonian American Art Museum
Diane Arbus (1923–1971) was one of the most original and influential artists of the 20th century. “Diane Arbus: A box of ten photographs” forges new ground as the first exhibition to focus on the portfolio Arbus was working on at the end of her life. The exhibition traces the history of A box of ten photographs between 1969 and 1973, telling the story of the portfolio that established the foundation for Arbus’ posthumous career and ushered in photography’s acceptance into the realm of “serious” art.
This heretofore missing piece from Arbus’ biography was as important to her evolving artistic identity as it was to the broader public recognition of photography as a fine-art practice. Central to the transition Arbus was making away from magazine work at the time of her death, the portfolio bridges a lifetime of modest recognition with a posthumous career of extraordinary acclaim. This exhibition sheds new light on this crucial and often overlooked stage in Arbus’ career, as well as on a transformational moment in the history of contemporary photography.
“Diane Arbus: A box of ten photographs” is on view from April 6 to Jan. 21, 2019, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The exhibition is organized by John Jacob, the McEvoy Family Curator for Photography. The museum is the only venue for the exhibition.
Interested media should RSVP to americanartpressoffice@si.edu. Photographers and film crews are welcome; contact the office in advance to make arrangements. Find additional press materials at americanart.si.edu/press.
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About the Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery
The Smithsonian American Art Museum is the flagship museum in the United States for American art and craft. It is home to one of the most significant and inclusive collections of American art in the world. The museum’s main building, located at Eighth and G streets N.W., is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum’s Renwick Gallery, a branch museum dedicated to contemporary craft, is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W. and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Check online for current hours and admission information. Admission is free. Follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Smithsonian information: (202) 633-1000. Museum information (recorded): (202) 633-7970. Website: americanart.si.edu.
