Phyllis Wattis Theater
Thursday, April 22, 7:00 p.m.
Continues on Friday, April 23, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Photography has almost always been in crisis. In the beginning, the terms of this crisis were cast as dichotomies: is photography science or art? Nature or technology? Representation or truth? This questioning has intensified and become more complicated over the intervening years. At times, the issues have required a profound rethinking of what photography is, does, and means. This is one of those times. Given the nature of contemporary art practice, the condition of visual culture, the advent of new technologies, and many other factors, what is at stake today in seeing something as a photograph? What is the value of continuing to speak of photography as a specific practice or discipline? Is photography over?
SFMOMA has invited a range of major thinkers and practitioners to write responses to this question (to be published here in March) and then to convene for a symposium on the prospects for the survival of photography. Participants include Vince Aletti, George Baker, Walead Beshty, Jennifer Blessing, Charlotte Cotton, Geoff Dyer, Okwui Enwezor, Peter Galassi, Corey Keller, Doug Nickel, Trevor Paglen, Kathy Ryan, Blake Stimson, and Joel Snyder.
Although this event is free, a reservation is strongly recommended. Remaining tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the event. Please RSVP to photography@sfmoma.org.