News
May 23, 2011
Center for Architecture to showcase work of architectural photographer Norman McGrath
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press contact: Emily Nemens
212-358-6126 enemens@aiany.org
IMAGES AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION
Center for Architecture to showcase work of
architectural photographer Norman McGrath
An Eye on Architecture: Photographs from the Archive of Norman Mcgrath demonstrates photographic mastery and architectural history of past fifty years
Press are invited to the opening reception, 6:00-8pm on Thursday, June 2 at the
Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, NYC 10012. To RSVP, or for press images, please contact Emily Nemens at 212-358-6126 or enemens@aiany.org
NEW YORK CITY, May 23, 2011 – The Center for Architecture is pleased to announce the exhibition An eye on architecture: Photographs from the Archive of Norman Mcgrath. The exhibition, installed in the Center for Architecture’s Helfand Gallery June 2-25, 2011, includes work from the past fifty years, including some of McGrath’s iconic shots of the original Penn Station (which he documented during its demolition for a course with Harper’s Bazaar art director Alexey Brodovitch), and recent photos of the reconstruction of the World Trade Center site.
About the exhibition
This exhibition is a selection of black and white silver prints from McGrath’s archive, some dating back to the early sixties, and a few examples of his more recent color work and digital prints. In the photographs from the film era McGrath used either 4x5 or 6x9 view cameras and Tri-X film, and the prints were all made by master printer Sid Kaplan.
McGrath, who has seen the transition from black and white photography to color to digital work, said of the new format, “You can learn faster because you can see your mistakes right away. But the aesthetic challenges remain the same. With all modern technology at one’s disposal, there is still no substitute for the discerning photographer’s eye; in my case, it is an eye for architecture.”
Norman McGrath is currently a member of the Explorer's of Light, sponsored by Canon USA. His architectural work is now shot exclusively with Canon equipment, namely EOS, 5D MKII and a Canon EOS 7D. All color prints, with the exception of murals, in the exhibit were printed on a Canon 6100 printer.
About Norman McGrath
London-born photographer Norman McGrath was educated in Ireland where he earned an engineering degree at Trinity College, Dublin. His father was the Australian-born architect and author, Raymond McGrath. After working in Dublin for two years as a structural engineer, McGrath moved to New York in 1956. Over the next five years, he gradually made the transition into the field of professional photography, specializing in architecture and interiors. His long career includes a wide variety of work for many well-known architects and designers, including Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson. Every major architectural publication has featured his images, and his book, Photographing Buildings Inside and Out has sold almost 50,000 copies. He has also co-authored books for Princeton Architectural Press, and teaches architectural photography around the country. In 1985, the AIA selected McGrath for its Institute Honor Award, and AIANY awarded him a special citation for photography in 1999.
Exhibition on View
The exhibition is on view from June 2, 2011 – June 25, 2011. The Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place in New York City, is open Monday- Friday, 9am–8pm and Saturday 11am–5 pm.
Related Public Programs
Exhibition Opening
Thursday, June 2, 6-8pm
Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York City, 10012
Admission: Free
Lecture
Wednesday, June 15, 6-8pm
Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York City, 10012
Admission: Free for AIANY members and students, $10 for non-members
Exhibition and related programs are organized by the Center for Architecture, the AIANY Cultural Facilities Committee and Norman McGrath.
The Center for Architecture is a destination for all interested in the built environment. It is home to the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter and the Center for Architecture Foundation, vibrant nonprofit organizations that provide resources to both the public and building industry professionals. Through exhibitions, programs, and special events, the Center aims to improve the quality and sustainability of the built environment, foster exchange between the design, construction, and real estate communities, and encourage collaborations across the city and globe. The Center also celebrates New York’s vibrant architecture, explores its urban fabric, shares community resources, and provides opportunities for scholarship. As the city’s leading cultural institution focusing on architecture, the Center drives positive change through the power of design. For more information, please visit www.aiany.org.
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