The camera and the automobile revolutionized modern life in America and have been intertwined from the very beginning. A photography exhibition at the Saint Louis Art Museum presents works by artists primarily influenced by automobile travel in the 2th and early XNUMXst centuries, exploring how the automobile and the road have mediated photographers' discoveries. The exhibition opened May XNUMX at SLAM and will remain open until October 19 in Gallery 235 and Gallery 234 by Sidney S. and Sadie M. Cohen.
Depression-era documentaries, artifacts of road culture, and a fascination with the desert Southwest all feature prominently. Notable photographers featured included Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, Robert Frank, and Lee Friedlander. Recent work by Catherine Opie, Paul Graham, and Kelli Connell demonstrates the continuing relevance and interest in the road trip. Vernacular photography and photobooks will also be on display, providing important insights into how travel was documented and shared.
Works by Otto Hoppé
The exhibition also includes an important display of works by Emil Otto Hoppé, whose 1926 travels produced the most comprehensive illustrated book of the American landscape to date. Hoppé visited all four corners of the country and beyond, from the gritty steel mills of the East to the desert landscapes of the Southwest, visiting more than 120 cities and scenic areas. This is the first museum presentation of works from Hoppé’s series since its completion nearly a century ago, offering a stunning portrait of the United States at a pivotal moment in its history. “Looking for America” is curated by Eric Lutz, associate curator of prints, drawings, and photographs. The exhibition will include a series of related programs, including film and music.
The Saint Louis Art Museum is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the country
It has collections that include works of art of exceptional quality from virtually every culture and historical period. Notable sections include Oceanic Art, Early American Art, Ancient Chinese Bronzes, and European and American Art of the late 19th and 20th centuries, with a special emphasis on 20th-century German Art. Admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum is free for everyone, every day.
Cover image: Russell Lee, American, 1903-1986; “Untitled (Men in Trucks),” c. 1936; gelatin silver print; 6 5/8 x 9 1/2 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum Shop Fund 160:1987
