Press Release: Allan Sekula at The Renaissance Society

The Renaissance Society

at the University of Chicago

Cobb Hall, 4th floor

5811 South Ellis Avenue

Chicago IL 60637

773-702-8670

www.renaissancesociety.org

 

The Renaissance Society presents an exhibition by

Allan Sekula, September 20 to December 13, 2009

 

The Renaissance Society will present an exhibition of new work by photographer Allan Sekula.  This new series, titled Polonia and Other Fables, critically documents and examines the social impact of global economics.  Always aiming to position his work within an exhibition's local community, Sekula will develop this project to focus on Chicago's rich labor history, in particular on the city's large Polish immigrant population, and The University of Chicago's famous lineage of economic theorists.

 

In addition to being outstanding documentary photography in its own right, Sekula's work is also a critique of the genre.  Sekula's examination of the theory and practice of photography is as important as his inquiry into labor history and economics. Central to his work is an interest in documentation—as pictorial form, method of recording, narrative device, historical memory, and medium of social engagement. Sekula's work poses the rhetorical question, "Is it possible to discuss photography as a medium separate from the thing being photographed?" Put another way, is a photograph in and of itself capable of being self-reflexive while critiquing its subject?  Sekula's answer is no.  An integral part of his practice is writing, an activity he has maintained since the outset of his career 35 years ago.  His writings expose the inherent limits of a documentary genre based purely on photographic imagery.  Together, Sekula's images and text constitute the most trenchant and rigorous photographic discourse on globalization. 

 

For more information, please contact:

Mia Ruyter

Director of Marketing

The Renaissance Society

773 702 8670

mruyter@uchicago.edu





The Renaissance Society
at the University of Chicago
5811 South Ellis Avenue
Chicago IL 60637
phone: 773-702-8670
fax: 773-702-9669

////////////////////////////////////////

The Renaissance Society
not what you expect





Press Release from The Renaissance Society

The Renaissance Society

at the University of Chicago

Cobb Hall, 4th floor

5811 South Ellis Avenue

Chicago IL 60637

773-702-8670

www.renaissancesociety.org

 

Allan Sekula: Polonia and Other Fables

September 20 to December 13, 2009

Opening reception September 20 from 4 to 7 pm

 

Photographer Allan Sekula's new series, titled Polonia and Other Fables, critically documents and examines the social impact of global economics.  Always aiming to position his work within an exhibition's local community, Sekula will develop this project to focus on Chicago's rich labor history, in particular on the city's large Polish immigrant population, and The University of Chicago's famous lineage of economic theorists.

 

Hans Koch, clarinetist

Wednesday November 4, 8 pm

Bond Chapel, 1050 East 59th Street.  FREE

 

Joe McPhee's Survival Unit

Monday, November 9, 8 pm

Bond Chapel, 1050 East 59th Street.  FREE

Featuring Joe McPhee, saxophone

Fred Lonberg-Holm, cello

Micheal Zerand, percussion

 





The Renaissance Society
at the University of Chicago
5811 South Ellis Avenue
Chicago IL 60637
phone: 773-702-8670
fax: 773-702-9669

////////////////////////////////////////

The Renaissance Society
not what you expect