What a day!

[gstark]

There are museums.

And there are museums

And then there's the Getty Center in LA. In my many trips here this is one museum that I've, to my misfortune, neglected.

Today we went there, and the word awsome does not do it justice. In all, I saw only two exhibits, both of them photographic.

The second one that we saw was Scene of the Crime: Photo by Weegee. Ordinarily, this would be regarded as a standout exhibition, full of remarkable images, as well as some great sound bites from the period, featuring interviews with the photographer.

However, this is currently sharing the museum with Pictures for the Press, which includes four images by Capa, as well as images by Larry Burrows, Robert Flora, Charles Moore, and Robert Jackson's compelling image of Lee Harvey Oswald being shot by Jack Ruby.

The images on display, the quality of the photographers whose work is being shown, and the power of the messages inherent in this exhibition make this not simply a must see for anybody with a photographic interest visiting LA, it's simply one of the most powerful museum exhibits that I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy.

But there's more: a couple of times during the running of an exhibition the Getty Center invites artists to come and discuss the works on display. Today was one of only two such scheduled days during this exhibit, and I was fortunate to be able to hear LA Times photographer Luis Sinco discuss some of these works, and what they, and the photographers who made them, meant to him.

Luis speaks from a background of authority, having been embedded with the US troops in Fallouja in 2004, and having had one of his images printed as a front page item throughout most of the USA. His insight into the images he spoke of, and of those photographers whom he knew personally, was fascinating, and helped to make an already truly memorable day really quite special.

Seeong the press exhibiton first was really quite draining - as well as inspiring - but it was a bloody hard act to follow.

Nonetheless, I cannot recommend it too highly, and if you're anywhere remotely near LA, do yourself a favour and see this one exhibit.

[Mal]

What an awesome experience! I very much doubt we will get to see either of these exhibitions come to Australia. What a shame that these finsh up on the 22nd of January.
Thanks for making us all jealous Gary Enjoy your time in the States

[stubbsy]

Gary

Thanks for this. WHile I'm not going to be there - the link to Weegee was a fascinating read. WHile not as interesting to read, I've no doubt the press one would have been a very powerful experience. Not only would they have been stronger images, but you'd have had the work of so many famous news photographers to see all at once. There is something beautiful about those old black and white images with their stark grittiness that has a wonderful appeal. They really evoke a sense of time and place in a way that is impossible to define.

I'm envious of your opportunity.

[ozimax]

Lived in LA for most of 2002 but never got to Getty Ctr, back there in May 06 hopefully, will try and visit the place, seems worth a visit.

[gstark]

Max,

Not simply worth a visit - this is a must see. The total cost, btw, is $7 to park your car in the underground parking lot. The tram to the top - I'll post some images on my return - is gratis, as is just about everything else there too.

I've live in California for a number of years, and I try to come here at least once a year. This is now on my permanent todo list.

Peter, yes, those old B&Ws are stunning, and they placed some of them well and truly in context too: an image of RF Kennedy dead on the kitchen floor where he'd been assasinated - 2 shots displayed, the first being a photographic print, and the second how it was rendered in the newspaper.

Similarly, a shot of a soldier in the VN war handing a young child to a colleague. Again two images, but this time the print was the one the photographer wanted used, as against the image used by Life magazine.

And we've all probably seen the image whereby the VN general shoots a VC suspect in the head; this image was on display, along with the two taken immediately before and after that shot.

The one of the young VN girl running along the road after her village was bombed with Napalm? That image is there too, this time in a reader that would convert the image for wire transmission, along with how the image appeared in Life.

Bloody powerful stuff, all of it, and as I said, pretty much a mind blowing - perhaps mind numbing - experience.

[marcotrov]

Impressive. What a memorable experience for you GAry. I think we are all envious
cheers
marco

[the foto fanatic]

I've been to the Getty, and there's no doubt that it is fabulous. The building itself is an unforgettable experience, as is much of the art. When I went, I thought that it was the only worthwhile experience I had in LA, which otherwise (IMO) is pretty awful.

I didn't have the good fortune to see these photographic exhibits - they sound terrific.

Thanks for the info & links, Gary.

[leek]

Sounds marvellous Gary... If I ever go to LA again, I'll be sure to look up the Getty museum...

Not on the same scale, but I also had the good fortune to see a great photographic exhibition today in Manchester - Rock 'n' Roll Icons by Mick Rock...
You may not have heard of him, but I can almost guarantee that you will know his work - some of the most famous rock portraits of the 70s and 80s. Some great images of David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Debby Harry, Queen... It was great to see them in large format...

[Grev]

I envy this vocabulary transcript of your experience. Hopefully see some photos soon!

[Matt. K]

As an interesting footnote to this...Birddog knew Larry Burrows and choppered him around on numerous occasions in VN before he was killed in Laos. I am currently reading a book about the search and recovery of his remains. The book was written by Richard Pyle and Horst Faas and is a must have for those who are interested in the photographers who covered the Vietnam conflict.