Lebanon Valley College Presents "A Tale of Two Cities" Exhibition at the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery

Exhibition showcases architectural photography by Eugene Atget and Berenice Abbott; features lecture and photography workshop

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Berenice Abbott captured this photo of the Murray Hill Hotel in New York. In addition to featuring more of Abbott's work, the exhibition will feature a lecture and photography workshop.

ANNVILLE, PA (12/27/2013)(readMedia)-- Lebanon Valley College's Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery presents "A Tale of Two Cities: Eugene Atget's Paris and Berenice Abbott's New York," an architectural photography exhibition that will run from Jan. 17 to Mar. 16. The exhibition, which features a lecture on Feb. 13 and a photography workshop on Feb. 16, is free and open to the public during Gallery hours.

Eugene Atget was a 19th century French photographer who captured buildings in Paris before World War I, depicting the decline and loss of the city's architectural history to the hands of modernization and war. In 1925, Atget became acquainted with Berenice Abbott, a photographer working as a darkroom assistant to the famed artist Man Ray. Abbott was so affected by Atget's work that she left Paris to visit New York and began her own documentation of the city's changing cityscape. In 1936, the Federal Arts Project approved funding for the completion of her project, which she titled, "Changing New York."

David L. Prince, associate director and curator at Syracuse University Art Galleries, will host a lecture titled, "Frère Aîné, Sœur Cadette (Older Brother, Younger Sister): The Shared Sensibilities of Eugene Atget and Berenice Abbott" on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. in Zimmerman Recital Hall. The lecture seeks to draw a parallel between the two artists and their work.

On Saturday, Feb. 16, Matthew Christopher will offer a photography workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. called, "Architecture, Photography, and Memory." Christopher is a professional photographer who documents abandoned sites and has gained international attention for his efforts to preserve America's endangered architectural history.

"A Tale of Two Cities: Eugene Atget's Paris and Berenice Abbott's New York" is on loan to the Gallery from Syracuse University as part of its Traveling Exhibition Program and is sponsored by contributing members of Friends of the Gallery.

LVC Gallery hours are Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and by appointment for groups. Schools and other organizations are encouraged to contact the Gallery for a guided visit. Additional information is available at www.lvc.edu/gallery, gallery@lvc.edu, or 717-867-6445.