LA Fridays with Bob and Tom: Annenberg Space for Photography: Vanity Fair
LA Fridays with Bob and Tom
Week 35. Annenberg Space for Photography: Vanity Fair
This week we return to the Annenberg Space for Photography, the well-known exhibition apace in Westside Century City, dedicated to displaying photographic works, ranging from artistic to journalistic, using both traditional photographic prints and modern digital techniques.
We viewed the newest arresting exhibition Vanity Fair: Hollywood Calling, curated by the magazine’s creative development editor David Friend and former director of photography Susan White. The exhibition features photographic portraiture and multimedia installations that capture the magic and glamour of the film and television industry’s major players from the last four decades. Among the portraits you are sure to recognize your favorite Hollywood star posed and photographed by the most famous Vanity Fair photographers past and present. If so inclined, you can strike a pose in the Mark Seliger Portrait Studio and send it to your friends.
In the center of the exhibition space is the film area. A short film introduces the participant photographers commenting on their iconic Vanity Fair cover of Hollywood photographs.
This exhibit is a must for those who enjoy photography and/or film stars. The exhibit is open Wed.-Sun., is free and discounted validated parking in the building is available.
ROBERT BLAUNSTEIN, PhD BIO
Robert (Bob) is a PhD physicist whose career has spanned academia, government and private industry. As a faculty member of the Department of Physics at the University of Tennessee, a Branch Chief at the United States Department of Energy and Vice President of an American International Group Company, his scientific endeavors include radiation physics, environmental research, environmental insurance and nanotechnology.
Originally from the East Coast, Bob was seduced by his sons and their families (and the California weather) to leave Washington, DC after retiring in 2010. While recovering from culture shock, Bob found many outlets to reconcile his eclectic interests. As a member of Senior Scholars for over six years he continues to take courses in a myriad of subjects ranging from film to art history to brain science and finds great intellectual and social rewards in Senior Scholars and the Plato Society.
As a latent artist, he sketches scenes about town once a week with an artist friend from his college days and is attempting to learn to play the electric guitar.
On moving to Los Angeles, he found Tom Jacobson, another recent transplant. They became great friends and decided to explore their new town together leading to over 113 sites in our city. Dubbed “LA Fridays with Bob and Tom” they are happy to share their experiences with others.
Bob lives in Brentwood with Phyllis, his wife of 56 years, an education policy executive. They have two sons and four grandchildren, one of whom plays a guitar a lot better than Bob.
THOMAS JACOBSON BIO
Thomas (Tom) is an attorney who practiced trial and constitutional law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born in 1938 in Bamberg Germany, he was one of the youngest passengers on the ill-fated voyage of the Damned, the SS St. Louis, turned away from Cuba in 1939.
Tom represented local civil rights activists and Dick Gregory and twice argued cases successfully in the United States Supreme Court. In 1970 he was the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin Attorney General.
Retiring in 2008, he and wife, Peggy, moved to California to join their two sons and four grandchildren, and enjoy the warm weather.
Tom has kept busy as a member of Senior Scholars and Plato for the last six years keeping his brain stimulated and active. Yoga and swimming have kept his body in shape.
Week 30: Jeffery Deitch Gallery, Judy Chicago