THE SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER FEATURING TWO NEW EXHIBITIONS

THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS:  STANLEY KUBRICK PHOTOGRAPHS  by Carol Kaufman Segal

            

Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999) was a renowned filmmaker known for films such as Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, and The Shining.  I was surprised to learn that, years ago, as I perused one of my favorite magazines, I was seeing photographs by a very young Stanley Kubrick.

           

Kubrick was only 17 seventeen years old when he sold his first photograph to the illustrative Look magazine and became a regular staff member of the periodical.  As he captured scenes of everyday life, Kubrick’s work appeared to be far advanced for his age, but undoubtedly, had a strong affect throughout his creative life.

            

Through A Different Lens: Stanley Kubrick Photographs is an exhibition on view at the Skirball Cultural Center through March 8, 2020, where more than 130 photographs reveal his talent that led to his success as one of Hollywood’s great directors of memorable movies.  The Skirball offers docent-led tours of the exhibit Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 PM to 2 PM, and Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, at 1 PM to 2 PM, and 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

             

EL SUENO AMERICANO/THE AMERICAN DREAM:  PHOTOGRAPHS BY TOM KIEFER  by Carol Kaufman Segal

            

The Skirball Cultural Center is featuring the first major museum presentation of El Sueno Americano/The American Dream:  Photographs by Tom Kiefer.  The exhibition features over 100 photographs of items that once belonged to migrants that were confiscated and discarded by United Sates border officials in Arizona.

           

Kiefer worked as a janitor at a Custom and Border station in Ajo, Arizona from 2003 to 2014.  He requested  permission to donate discarded food items to a local pantry, and while rummaging through the bins, he found a great deal of personal items being trashed every day, such as clothing, toys, medication, toiletries, letters, tooth brushes, water bottles, bibles, even money that was confiscated from migrants every day. 

           

Kiefer documented and, with fine art photography, put together the more than 100 portraits of objects that are on display at the Skirball Cultural Center.  It is difficult to express my feelings as I perused this exhibition.  I spoke to Tom Kiefer, personally, and could see how distraught he felt over the manner in which the immigrants were regarded. 

            

The exhibition includes newly recorded interviews with Kiefer and with migrants who have crossed the border.  He generated it to prove the hardships put upon migrants and to hope for better understanding and treatment of others.  It will be on view at the Skirball Cultural Center through March 8, 2020.

            

The Skirball Cultural Center is located at 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For further information calL (310) 440-4500, or go online at www.skirball.org.