May | June 2007 - Boston Photography Focus

THE PRC MISSION
THE PHOTOGRAPHIC RESOURCE CENTER (PRC) AT
BOSTON UNIVERSITY IS AN INDEPENDENT NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES AS A VITAL FORUM FOR
THE EXPLORATION AND INTERPRETATION OF NEW WORK,
IDEAS, AND METHODS IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND RELATED
MEDIA. THE PRC PRESENTS EXHIBITIONS, FOSTERS EDUCA-
TION, DEVELOPS RESOURCES, AND FACILITATES COM-
MUNITY INTERACTION FOR LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND
NATIONAL AUDIENCES.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cathy England, President
Tom Block
Andrew Epstein
Roger Farrington
Peter Fiedler
Lou Jones
Emily Kahn
Arlette Kayafas
Walt Meissner
Elliot Salloway
Kim Sichel
STAFF
Jim Fitts, Executive Director/Editor
Leslie Brown, Curator
Michael Christiano, Education Manager
Emily Gabrian, Programs Coordinator
Alice Hall, Librarian
Vincent Marasa, Preparator
Christian Ling, Work study
Samantha Kanter, Work study
Kassia Karr, Work study
Alexandra Caruso, Intern
Jenna Mack, Intern
Lindsey McKenna, Intern
Shoshana Pinedo, Intern
Sarah Pollman, Intern
Carly Stewart, Intern
GENERAL INFORMATION
Photographic Resource Center at Boston University
832 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Tel 617-975-0600 prc@bu.edu
Fax 617-975-0606 prcboston.org
HOURS
Tuesday–Friday: 10–6pm
Thursday: 10–8pm
Saturday–Sunday: 12–5pm
Closed Mondays
ADMISSION
Adults: $3
Students (with valid ID) and Seniors: $2
Members, children under 18, and school groups are
admitted free. Admission is free on Thursdays and on
the last weekend of every month.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Take the Green Line “B” train to the BU West, four
stops west of Kenmore Square.
COVER IMAGE
Jim Turbert, detail of Astronaut, 2007, Digital C-print,
20x24 inches, Copyright and courtesy of the artist.
DESIGN CREDITS
This issue of the in the loupe was designed
by Auburnex (auburnex@comcast.net)
and printed by Millennium Graphics.
from the director
Not acting anymore.
For six months the word “acting” has been the first word in my job title. As you read in the last
issue, I have been named Executive Director and I can officially remove “acting” from the title.
Before I get to the business of the day, I want to thank the people who gave me support and
council over the last six months. Rick Grossman and the PRC Board of Directors were always
available to take my phone calls and answer my never-ending questions. Our small in number,
but mighty in talent, staff take the bulk of the credit for keeping the PRC on track during
the transition and continuing to present world class exhibitions, educational programs, and
member services, all the while bringing me up to speed on the millions of details I needed to
address. I also had the good fortune of having a great number of the never-shy-with-their-position-on-issues
photographers to bounce my ideas off of.
With that said, the PRC transitions from spring into summer with the last week of our current
exhibition Picture Show closely followed by Exposure: The 12th Annual PRC Juried Exhibition
and a Photographic Resource Center full of noisy, next generation photographers attending
classes in our youth education program, appropriately called Photo Camp.
We look forward to the upcoming fall when the PRC will conclude its yearlong 30th anniversary
celebration with a very special event that will coincide with the 2007 PRC Benefit Auction.
We know that you appreciate the numerous educational and networking events that we offer and
if you would like to get involved in volunteering your time or services to support the organization,
please contact me.
Jim Fitts
Executive Director
Photographic Resource Center at Boston University
DONORS 2006 FISCAL YEAR DONATIONS (JULY 1, 2005 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2006)
REMEMBERING CARL SIEMBAB by Carl Chiarenza
Carl Siembab
(January 5, 1926 - February 27, 2007)
Photo credit: Bill Jay
Half a century ago Carl Siembab began exhibiting photographs in
his gallery on Newbury Street in Boston. It was the beginning of a
pioneering effort. In 1959 he put up exhibitions of Aaron Siskind
and Berenice Abbott. That was the beginning of a new chapter in
the history of photography. His deep understanding of a body of
work was evident in his regularly applauded arrangements on the
walls of his gallery.
In the post-World War II world of photography no one did more to
bring serious public respect to the art and artist of photography. He
did it, essentially alone, when there was little interest at large. He
educated a growing community of artists, curators, collectors and
new gallery operators. He set standards.
Lee Lockwood wrote, in 1981, that Siembab was “an incalculable
influence on the development of public acceptance of photography
as an art form.” That accomplishment, paradoxically and unfortunately
is largely forgotten.
For additional
In an interview in 1971 by Robert Brown for the Archives Sponsors of American
Art: Siembab said “I have a ... fanatical belief in the Supporters,
integrity
and
of photography as an artistic medium. I also strongly believe that it
please visit
will be the most significant medium in the coming generation....
I think most of our artistic experiences will come through some
prcboston.org
photographic
means.” (Quoted by Kim Sichel in Photography in Boston,
1953-1985, MIT Press, 2000)