Annenberg Center for Photography
Behind the CAA building in Culver City
From its discreet hiding place behind CAA's infamous "Death Star" building in Century City, the new Annenberg Space for Photography is a curious step forward in the gradual evolution of Los Angeles as a center for capital "A" Art. The new museum-library-learning space aims to elevate photography's place in the art world by displaying both digital and print photography with equal levels of reverence.

It's a nice premise, and the inaugural exhibition, bizarrely titled L8S ANG3LES, takes on the grand task of attempting to capture the breadth of the Los Angeles experience, with 11 photographers from a variety of specialties - architecture, portraiture, photojournalism, and art. The 98-year-old Julius Shulman is a highlight here but only gets a few spots on the wall. Douglas Kirkland and Greg Gorman bring the requisite, if gorgeously competent, Hollywood portraitures: Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, Bette Davis, even Leo DiCaprio, all frozen in time. The most surprising work comes from Lauren Greenfield, whose disturbing shots reveal the ill effects of young girls growing up in the shadow of Hollywood. Chilling stuff, all playfully delivered. But Carolyn Cole's work on international war zones feels out of place in this LA-centric exhibit. Thouhg, the three LA Times photojournalists and brilliant conceptual artist/photographer John Baldessari feel shortchanged (or unnecessary) here.

Seeing everything should take no more than an hour or two, and future exhibits should better fit the size of the space. Inside, the cultural center has a demure yet high-tech feel, with a curling design inspired by the internals of a classic film camera, giant hi-res projection screens at its center showing hourly introduction videos, and an oddly placed, and unused, kitchen in one corner. In another,
Annenberg Center for Photography
Behind the CAA building in Culver City (Blaise Nutter)
two Microsoft Surface multi-touch consoles (think iPhone but as big as a desk) allow you to shuffle through hundreds of pictures in the Annenberg collection with just a flick of the finger.

Unfortunately, along the outer walls, outdoor light reflects badly against some of the photography. There's also no bookstore. A couple of random art books sit on a few cluttered shelves in the back room, but those aren't there for purchase. They're just there.

The space looks to offer plenty of special events and lectures, and hopes to become a gathering space for photo-lovers, which is more likely with its free admittance (huzzah), $1 weekend parking, and large glorious courtyard. Go for the photography, and then spend the afternoon rolling around on the grass outside.

The Annenberg Space for Photography
Current Exhibit: L8s Ang3les

2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, CA, 90067
(213) 403-3000
Open Wednesday - Sunday, 11 am - 6 pm