Memphis, TN, April 6, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The National Civil Rights Museum will open the fine art photography exhibit on Saturday, April 10th. Outside Lorraine: A Photographic Journey to a Sacred Place with the work of David Katzenstein. The one-year exhibition illuminates the museum as a Mecca for peacemakers, as a place of remembrance and connection to the museum’s 30th anniversary.
The collection of over 90 photos in Outside the Lorraine helps visitors identify with social issues by creating a connection to the historic site, Dr. King, the makers and others manufacture. Viewers are invited to see the sparkle in each print that shimmers, vibrates, and introduces people to a richer experience of fine art photography by relating each piece to one another.
“Outside of Lorraine, our visitors have the rare opportunity to reproduce themselves in the works of art in one of our exhibitions,” said Dr. Noelle Trent, director of interpretation, collections and education at the museum. “The exhibition is a thank you to our visitors, who have lovingly supported the museum over the past 30 years and who emphasize the beautiful diversity of humanity that supplies the courtyard and the museum with energy. As the world slowly opens up again, we hope this exhibition will remind our audience of how much they mean to us, ”said Trent.
The idea began in 2017 when the Katzenstein returned to the museum with his family. He noticed how much time people spent in the courtyard before entering the museum. He spent 20 minutes taking pictures and observing how families, individuals, friends and strangers in this sacred place experienced a personal relationship within the collective narrative – a shared human experience of deep loss, grief, triumph, hope and change. He presented his project to exhibition designer and curator Gay Feldman.
The inner courtyard is the first stop at which museum visitors are confronted with assumptions about the civil rights movement. The photographs in this exhibition convey unspoken messages that inform and influence how people understand today’s world. A picture is worth a thousand words. According to Feldman, there are six pillars in interpreting the exhibition.
- Outside of Lorraine, it helps to establish assumptions about history and identity within the legacy of Dr. King and the movement to redefine. Guests’ knowledge prior to their arrival and how they will emerge from the experience can change, whether new or different from before.
- The collection is accessible. It directs the viewer to pride, empowerment and the joy of coming together. In a way, photography is very close and personal. The work draws a direct line for the viewer to identify personally with what was then and now.
- The exhibition expands education and shows that the place of learning has an impact on how she learns. Seeing yourself in the photos helps people identify, connect and remember on a deeper level. No matter how much one already knows about the movement, each person will be enlightened with a fuller, more personal account as they leave.
- The exhibition describes the community as people who travel from around the world and have different reasons to be there to share basic beliefs of the movement and experiences with today’s civil and human rights issues. There is a layer of families, travelers, students and educators who come together, strangers and friends who take selfies of themselves while remembering their experiences in the moment. The exhibition shows the diverse audience that the museum attracts.
- The country or the historical place is a central theme in the photographs. A visceral response is noted in the photo subjects when they communicate with each other in a space that once served as a safe haven for black travelers during segregation and has now been transformed into a place of conscience, a legacy of memory, a beacon of hope and a beacon of hope serves as a call to action for social change.
- The photographs are reminiscent of the legacy of Dr. King in shared moments of remembrance, deep sadness, celebration and sharing, especially during the MLK50 commemoration in 2018. The captured moments in time weave connections that speak to emotions, impact and transformation.
Katzenstein has traveled extensively around the world creating narrative imagery for art exhibitions, global corporate giants, and philanthropic organizations. He is shaped by the tradition of documentary and reportage photographers such as Cartier-Bresson and Josef Koudelka and fills all of his work with emotional commitment and deep respect for humanity. Spontaneous, authentic and courageous, his lens captures the essence of every moment and offers the viewer an intimate view of the world around us.
Feldman has been involved in commercial and fine art photography for over three decades. Her formal background as an art historian and her experience of working with some of the most iconic names in terms of design and creative direction have enabled her to lead and advance the careers for a remarkable group of creatives. In 2015 she opened a new chapter in her life dedicated to creating content to support mission-based organizations. Her commitment to education and public access to the arts has supported independent schools, nonprofits, and other nonprofit organizations. Feldman is a graduate of Bank Street College of Education (MSEd Museum Education) and continues to combine her passion for the arts with her entrepreneurial acumen through curriculum development, curation and exhibition design on a daily basis.
The exhibition “Outside Lorraine” can be seen in the museum until April 4, 2022. It is included in the museum admission fee. Media representatives are invited to preview the exhibition on Friday, April 9th at 10:30 a.m. Katzenstein and Feldman are available for interviews. More information is available at Civilrightsmuseum.org.
Via the National Civil Rights Museum
The NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM in the historic Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated provides a comprehensive overview of the American civil rights movement from slavery to the present day. Since the museum opened in 1991, millions of visitors have come from all over the world, including more than 90,000 student visits annually. The museum is determined to record the American civil rights movement and tell the story of the ongoing struggle for human rights. It trains and acts as a catalyst to stimulate action to create positive social change.
The museum is recognized as the National Medal Award 2019 by the Institute for Museums and Library Services (IMLS), the highest national award for museums and libraries. It’s a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Top 5% US Museum, USA Today’s Top 10 Best American Cultural Attractions; Top 10 Best Historic Places in the US from TLC’s Family Travel; Must be seen by Budget Travel and Kids by age 15; Top 10 American Treasures from USA Today; and best Memphis attraction from The Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Business Journal.
Comments are closed.