An article in The Art Newspaper assesses the recent increase in attendance of photography exhibitions in galleries around the country.
"Last week, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art announced that it will launch the largest space for photography of any museum in the country in 2016 as part of a major expansion. The John and Lisa Pritzker Center for Photography will have more than 15,500 sq. ft of exhibition space dedicated to the medium. But will the crowds turn out to fill the galleries? If exhibitions at other museums are any sign, the answer is most likely yes."
The article also looks to social media and recent technological advancements as a cause for the increased interest in the medium.
"Social media, and the popularity of photo-sharing networks such as Instagram means that more people are tapping into the medium. 'Everyone can easily make photographs now with their smartphones; it is all about the image,' says Judith Keller, the senior curator of photographs at the Los Angeles-based Getty Museum. This interest may account for the recent rise in attendance figures. 'Photography is perhaps more accessible than other art forms. So many people now take photos on a daily basis; it is relevant to everyone’s life,' Whitmore says. "
You can find the full article here.
