by Neelam Mehta
Daily Lobo
When a single image can tell an entire story, provoke horror, sympathy or joy in a viewer, and look beautiful all at the same time, art is at its very best.
The latest art exhibition at The Albuquerque Museum, "The Pulitzer Prize Photographs: Capture the Moment," which showcases every photograph awarded the Pulitzer Prize since 1942, does just that.
Hung on the walls of the maze-like gallery is a visual history of the past 61 years, the social, racial, political and personal drama as seen from behind a camera.
"Wheels of Death," taken in 1958 by William Seaman, shows the fate of a young boy who was hit by a garbage truck while playing outside with his wagon. On what appears to be a nice sunny day, the broken, twisted wagon lays before a tiny sheet-covered body in the middle of a street. Taken in black-and-white, the dark shadows add to the chilling scene.
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Beside each photo is contextual information about the shot and commentary from the artist.
These explain exactly what was happening at the time of the shot. Each photo is enriched by these short explanations, which lend perspective to the emotion and gravity of each situation. Reading each one guarantees a more concentrated history lesson than could be taken from any book or class.
"Visitors will learn a lot," said Leslie Venzuela, public relations director for the museum. "It's a nice snapshot of our history. The photos will make visitors really think."
"Illinois State School for the Retarded," taken by Jack Dykinga in 1970, shows a naked young man curled up in a tight ball lying on one of the many beds lined up in rows in a dark room. The description tells how the severe under-funding of the institution forced the staff to tie patients to chairs or sedate them into a stupor, and how the overwhelming smell of human waste made it difficult to stay and take pictures.
"Afterward, you have the dreams and nightmares," Dykinga said in the caption. "I can still smell how it smells."
Though many photos may leave the viewer contemplating the evil and ruthlessness plaguing society, there are other photos that capture delight, either through the eyes of an innocent child trying to celebrate in a parade ("Faith and Confidence," William C. Beall, 1957) or the elation of a family reuniting with a former POW after Vietnam ("Burst of Joy," Slava Veder, 1973).
"It's a great exhibition," Venzuela said. "Some pictures are very intense and some are happy. It shows us our life and our history, both the good and the bad."
What: "The Pulitzer Prize Photographs: Capture the Moment"
When: Through April 18
Where: Albuquerque Museum 2000 Mountain Rd.
How
much: $4 adults, $2 children
Tickets
& Info: 243-7255
