Vanity Fair Portraits 1913-2008
I cannot believe I almost missed this extraordinary exhibit. You have today and tomorrow left and I suggest you run not walk to see it! As the name states Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913–2008 is a comprehensive retrospective from the Vanity Fair archives. In addition to the photographs themselves there were hand-written letters, behind scenes film footage, etc. But the star of the show is – rightly – the photographs. A visual history of great artists (Vanity Fair photographers include legends such as Cecil Beaton, Man Ray and Imogen Cunningham as well as modern masters Annie Leibovitz, Steven Meisel and Bruce Weber) covering other great artists and notables of culture and history. The exhibit flows smoothly from Vanity Fair of yore to present day Vanity Fair. I have to say I was most captivated by the exhibit of the older works (I’ve been a VF subscriber off and on since my late teens so I have a lot of the newer works). One thing that was most striking to me was how progressive Vanity Fair was. They had to have been one of the first magazines in the US to publish any kind of nudity and even as this country was still quite segregated at the time, they were giving coverage to Black actors and artists as early as 1936 (Paul Robeson portrait). Exhibits such of these by their very nature not only exposes the viewer to beautiful works of art but they also give us a chance to step back in time and learn about the state of the world as it was. Great art always informs on a multitude of levels. I left feeling exhilarated and honored to have been able to attend. Do Not Miss This Exhibit.
Sidenote: after the exhibit my girlfriends and I went to Grace for drinks and nibbles. Grace is owned by our friend, Chef Neil Fraser (of Iron Chef fame), and it is the Serious Business. Be sure to check it when you’re on that side of town. (and yes, Neil beat the Iron Chef! 
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