Athens, Ga. – This January, the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia will feature two exhibitions of contemporary photography, one by Fernando La Rosa and one by John Greenman. “The Silent Cities of Peru: Archaeological Photographs by Fernando La Rosa” and “John Greenman Photographs” both run from Jan. 25 to March 30.
La Rosa, originally from Peru, currently splits his time between Macon, where he directs the photography program at Wesleyan College, and Lima, Peru. His long history with Peruvian sites and cities such as Machu Picchu, Sechín and Chavín Huántar has allowed him access to places no longer accessible to visitors. In his work, he uses large-format cameras and traditional materials, then combines the results with scanning and digital output to investigate a broad range of subjects. Paul Richelson of the Mobile Museum of Art organized this exhibition, and Laura Valeri, associate curator of European art at the Georgia Museum of Art, served as in-house curator.
“What makes this exhibition special is the unique viewpoint La Rosa shares with us,” Valeri said. “Being granted special access to these archeological sites allowed him to capture morning light effects through temple windows and other aspects that were an integral part of the builder’s design.”
Greenman is Carolyn McKenzie and Don E. Carter Professor of Journalism at UGA but has pursued photography since his undergraduate days. Greenman utilizes high-tech digital technologies to create detailed landscapes as seen from Georgia back roads.
Greenman said that although his pictures are snapshots, his process is deliberate and methodical. “Serendipity isn’t in the mix” in regards to the content of his pieces and the landscapes displayed within them and everything he captures is presented precisely the way he views it, he said. He is unwilling to manipulate his photographs when he cannot capture the image as his eye sees it. He said that he accepts and celebrates the fact that the eyes can see many things that a digital or film sensor cannot record.
Valeri also served as curator for this exhibition. “The refinement and sophistication of John Greenman’s photographs are a display that cannot be replicated,” she said.
A preview/opening reception for both exhibitions is scheduled for the evening of Jan. 24, at the museum (free for members; $5 nonmembers), with refreshments, gallery talks and live music. Other related events include a tour by Greenman of his work Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.; a gallery talk by Chad Howe, associate professor of Hispanic linguistics at UGA, of “The Silent Cities of Peru” (cosponsored by the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Institute) Feb. 27 at 5:30 p.m.; and Family Day: Fun in the Sun Prints March 22 from 10 a.m. to noon, all of which are free and open to the public.
The W. Newton Morris Charitable Foundation and the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art are sponsoring both exhibitions, and YellowBook USA is sponsoring the Greenman exhibition.
Museum Information
Partial support for the exhibitions and programs at the Georgia Museum of Art is provided by the W. Newton Morris Charitable Foundation and the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art. Individuals, foundations and corporations provide additional museum support through their gifts to the University of Georgia Foundation. The Georgia Museum of Art is located in the Performing and Visual Art Complex on the East Campus of the University of Georgia. The address is 90 Carlton St., University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. 30602- 6719. For more information, including hours, see http://georgiamuseum.org or call 706-542-4662.