Photo Independent, the first and only high-visibility art fair platform for independent photographers, kicked off with a opening night preview benefitting the Los Angeles Art Association (LAAA) on Friday, April 25 from 7 pm to 10 pm. Taking place at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood, Photo Independent is a forum for direct exchange of ideas and contact between photographic artists, collectors and art professionals. The inaugural edition of the art fair will also feature specialized programs in partnership with the Los Angeles Art Association and Art Nerd Los Angeles including panel discussions, lectures, and docent tours. The preview featured hors d’oeuvres, drinks, an organic whiskey tasting in partnership with Koval Distilleries, and music. Offering guests a “first-look” at the 40 national and international photographers that have been vetted to participate in the show, including works by noted photographers Philipp Scholz Rittermann (U.S.), Robert Tamara (The Netherlands), and Ian Provest (Australia), among others.
The 2014 Photo Independent Selection Committee, comprised of prominent photography curators and gallerists, are selecting the highest level of talent in a variety of photographic fields for the fair. Representatives from the Selection Committee include: Daniell Cornell, The Donna and Cargill MacMillan Jr., Director of Art at the Palm Springs Art Museum; Graham Howe, Curator & Photo-Historian, and CEO of Curatorial Assistance; Sarah Lee, who has served as trustee, Executive Director of and guest curator at the Korean American Museum in Los Angeles, and has been on the Japan-American National Museum’s advisory council since 1995, and Eve Schillo, Curatorial Assistant in the Wallis Annenberg Photography Department at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The opening night preview was also the first opportunity for guests to view a curated exhibit of works by Andy Summers, guitarist for The Police. Titled “I’ll be Watching You,” the exhibit featured a series of black and white photographs culled from many cities Summers has photographed over the past several years, from Tanzania to China. A second special exhibit featured works by the 2013 winners of The AX3 – American Aperture Awards. The exhibit featured more than 50 works by artists from around the globe. For more information about Photo Independent, visit www.photoindependent.com.
