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    In Focus: Play

    December 23, 2014–May 10, 2015

    Getty Center

    Summer, Lower East Side, New York City, 1937, Weegee (Arthur Fellig), gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © International Center of Photography

    Summer, Lower East Side, New York City, 1937, Weegee (Arthur Fellig), gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © International Center of Photography

  • Underwater Swimmer, negative, 1917; print, 1970s,  André Kertész, gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Estate of André Kertész

    Underwater Swimmer, negative, 1917; print, 1970s, André Kertész, gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Estate of André Kertész

  • On the Beach, about 1929, T. Lux Feininger, gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Estate of T. Lux Feininger

    On the Beach, about 1929, T. Lux Feininger, gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Estate of T. Lux Feininger

  • “Free Sex” Party Crew Party, East Los Angeles, 1993, Lauren Greenfield, silver-dye bleach print. The J. Paul Getty Museum, gift of Allison Amon and Lisa Mehling. © Lauren Greenfield/INSTITUTE

    “Free Sex” Party Crew Party, East Los Angeles, 1993, Lauren Greenfield, silver-dye bleach print. The J. Paul Getty Museum, gift of Allison Amon and Lisa Mehling. © Lauren Greenfield/INSTITUTE

  • Marcel Duchamp and Raoul de Roussy de Sales Playing Chess, 1925, Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitsky), gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Man Ray Trust ARS-ADAGP

    Marcel Duchamp and Raoul de Roussy de Sales Playing Chess, 1925, Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitsky), gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Man Ray Trust ARS-ADAGP

  • Woman with Scarf at Inspiration Point, Yosemite National Park, 1980, Roger Minick, chromogenic print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Roger Minick

    Woman with Scarf at Inspiration Point, Yosemite National Park, 1980, Roger Minick, chromogenic print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Roger Minick

  • Untitled, 1973 or earlier, Bill Owens, gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum, gift of Robert Harshorn Shimshak and Marion Brenner. © Bill Owens

    Untitled, 1973 or earlier, Bill Owens, gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum, gift of Robert Harshorn Shimshak and Marion Brenner. © Bill Owens

  • East L.A. Skateboarders, 1950s, Joe Schwartz, toned gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Joe Schwartz

    East L.A. Skateboarders, 1950s, Joe Schwartz, toned gelatin silver print. The J. Paul Getty Museum. © Joe Schwartz

In Focus: Play

December 23, 2014–May 10, 2015, Getty Center

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The introduction of photography in 1839 coincided with major social and economic changes spurred by the Industrial Revolution and a burgeoning culture of leisure. In addition to documenting historic events, this new medium was used to record the everyday, including the many ways people spent their free time. With the advent of faster film and handheld cameras, dancing and carousing were captured with the same enthusiasm as moments of respite and quiet contemplation. This exhibition traces the development of play as a photographic subject through the works of artists such as Roger Fenton, Lauren Greenfield, Bill Owens, and Larry Sultan among others.

Related Events

A variety of special programs complement the exhibition. All events are free, unless otherwise noted. Seating reservations are required. For reservations and information, please call (310) 440-7300 or see information on planning a visit.

Lecture
The Art of Playing

Cherise Smith, professor of art and art history at the University of Texas, Austin, and her brother, retired professional baseball player Gary Matthews Jr., discuss the complicated boundaries between work and leisure from the perspective of two professionals whose careers many people associate with leisure activities.

Sunday, April 12, 3:00 p.m.
Getty Center: Museum Lecture Hall

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Talk
Curator’s Gallery Talk

Arpad Kovacs, assistant curator of photography, the J. Paul Getty Museum, leads a talk on the exhibition. Meet under the stairs in the Museum Entrance Hall.

Thursday, February 5, 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10, 2:30 p.m.
Getty Center: Museum galleries

Family Activity
Family Festival

We’re turning the Getty Center into a gigantic playground for this daylong festival celebrating the simple act of play in all of its forms. From schoolyard games to a pop-up adventure playground, there’s something for every generation in this fun-filled day. Storytelling and music mix with patty-cake, cat’s cradle, hopscotch, chess, cards, board games, caroms, and even a Getty-wide scavenger hunt. Get your game face on!

Saturday, March 28, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Getty Center: Museum Courtyard

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Publication

Publications are available in the Getty Museum Store, by calling (310) 440-7333, or online at shop.getty.edu.

Press Release

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