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| The Happenings Feature - October 2006 |
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Through a Lens Darkly
Leibovitz captures life and death in exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum
Annie Leibovitz has photographed celebrities, presidents, and a very naked, extremely pregnant Demi Moore.
Now her surprisingly personal, searingly raw exhibition - "Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life, 1990 - 2005" - will be showcased at the Brooklyn Museum through January 21.
Annie Leibovitz at Brooklyn Museum
©Mark D Phillips View Larger |
It features pictures of not only Hollywood celebs and heads-of-state, but fetchingly candid shots of ordinary folks and people dear to the photographer.
In advance of the show's opening on October 20, Leibovitz, who is gracious and unassuming away from the lens, provided a rare, behind-the-scenes peek into her work and her life -- leading a walking tour through the museum.
First stop: Demi.
Leibovitz described being assigned to photograph the star, who perplexed "Vanity Fair" editors by turning up in the family way.
"How are we going to photograph her? She's pregnant!" Leibovitz recalled the editors saying. Rather than fret, she simply took personal pictures meant only for members of Demi's family.
One of them turned into the famous "Vanity Fair" cover shot, which beautifully displays Moore's massive, unclothed belly.
"We didn't expect all the attention the picture created," Leibovitz said modestly.
A striking photo of President George W. Bush and his cabinet hangs next to a shot of anti-Bush filmmaker Michael Moore and his crew. Leibovitz sheepishly explained that there was no ulterior motive in
the juxtaposition - the pictures were simply arranged chronologically.
Nicole Kidman ©Annie Leibovitz |
Along with her work for the hottest magazines on the planet, Leibovitz's exhibition includes candid and touching pictures of her own family and her longtime companion, Susan Sontag, who died in December 2004 of cancer.
It was Sontag's death, as well as that of her father, that persuaded the shutterbug to create the exhibition and a book to be published by Random House.
Leibovitz said the 15 years covered in the show represented the time that she spent with Sontag.
"I decided to edit it as if she was standing behind me," she said wistfully.
Her favorite picture is not of a familiar face, but a portrait of her mother. Leibovitz spoke of her struggle to shoot it.
"I wanted her to look her age. She told me she was afraid of looking very old," she said.
"I was very happy with it. She and my father didn't like it because she was not smiling."
Later on, as the picture took on a modicum of fame, Leibovitz's mother warmed to her photo.
After Brooklyn, the photographs travel to San Diego, Atlanta, Paris and London.
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Demi Moore
Left-click and hold your mouse button while moving within the image.
©Mark D Phillips |
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Previous Happenings Features
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Fort Defiance returns to Red Hook
Is Red Hook getting a raw deal in the history of America?
Each year, the Battle of Brooklyn is commemorated in Brooklyn Heights and Prospect Park. Red Hook is never mentioned. In 1953, an attempt was made to spell out the areas role in the Battle of Brooklyn. Two historical markers were placed, one on the Manufacturers Trust Company in downtown Brooklyn at the start of Red Hook Lane, and the second on a Todd Shipyards building in Red Hook.
Fort Defiance .... Continued |
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Brooklyn Eats: A borough of fine dining
Has Brooklyn eclipsed Manhattan in the restaurant buzz? Talk to Borough President Marty Markowitz and
you may think that way.
With a shout of "Brooklyn is the epicenter of the restaurant scene in New York. Tonight is calorie free!"
Markowitz sent a hungry crowd loose at the 10th Annual Brooklyn Eats™ event at Brooklyn's Marriott hotel on Oct. 3.
Brooklyn Eats .... Continued |
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The Happenings Feature - Story Archive
Want to read more of our stories about special people, groups and events in South Brooklyn?
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| Visit our HAPPENINGS page to see more events taking place in South Brooklyn. |
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Produced by
SouthBrooklynInternet. All material ©2006. No reuse without permission.
All photographs ©Mark D Phillips - southbrooklyninternet.com |
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