New Mexico Art Museum, Off Center Group & Larry McNeil Exit Celebration
Off Center, 1970-2000 (Exit celebration and newest segment opening)
Dress like Larry at the party!
Ok, it’s been a rough couple weeks. I say we take a break and soak up some joy and love. The final iteration of the “Off Center” group exhibition will be showing, and our other part of the exhibition can use a fun send-off. Bring the vibe from the era!
The evening kicks off at 6:00pm tonight. They’ll have snacks drinks, DJ and a selfie station. Let me know if they play any of my favorite tunes. Dress to impress, but only styles between 1970 & 2000! Maybe as a Real Indian!
Here are some attire suggestions (from the era) with sample photos:
1977, Tie dyed cowboy shirt that looks like clouds (On the road/Hwy 1, California). Beaded belt, Eagle silver bracelet. This was just a few months before he made the “Real Indians” photograph that helped set an attitude for future work. Hasselblad camera with 80mm Carl Zeiss Planar lens. Don’t fall.
1983? Larry in the studio, cowboy shirt, ad for studio. Cool camera, shot with Polaroid Type 55 Neg film. Larry had a studio in Anchorage with a nice collection of clients. Larry’s forté was tabletop still life photography and bringing his studio to locations. Combo monorail 4×5 camera and Schneider lens. Big glasses.
1986, Santa Barbara Brooks Montecito campus with his mom. White cowboy shirt to make them black & white for Larry’s first solo show. The exhibition got a great review in the Los Angeles Times Arts section. Prints sold for $250 each for the handmade darkroom prints that were mostly printed on Agfa Portriga warm tone paper. Canon F-1N camera with his favorite 35mm wide lens. Larry’s mom wanted to see what he was up to in California and saw it was hard work and fun too. The Brooks administrators called her “Mrs. McNeil,” and were very kind.
1991, Larry smoking sockeye salmon with his mom, Long sleeve Tee & jeans. Polaroid Alpha One SE SX-70 camera (one of the first accurately designed auto focus lenses). Larry’s standard uniform for studio and fish work; long sleeved tee & jeans (long before Steve Jobs).
2000, Larry making a portrait of his mom in her garden and she turned the camera on Larry. Contax G2 system, early reliable autofocus, compact precision camera comparable to Leica. All titanium body, lightweight and fast. Larry was taking care of his toddler for the summer and needed a camera system that could fit in a waist pack because Larry had a big diaper bag full of toys and snacks. Larry’s mom found it amusing and impressive that he could continue with photography while taking care of a toddler. Larry’s shirt was buttoned correctly for the win.
Group exhibition with notable New Mexican artists at the end of the 20th Century.