University of Colorado at Boulder fine arts instructor Patrick Frank will lecture June 28 on the Paul Strand photography exhibit on display at the Cortez CU Center as part of the CU This Summer outreach program.
A reception at the center will begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by Frank聮s talk.
The exhibit, 聯The Mexican Portfolio,聰 began May 24 and continues through Sept. 1 in the Cortez CU Center, at 25 N. Market St. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free.
Frank recently finished writing a book titled, 聯Posada聮s Broadsheets聰 about the Mexican printmaker Posada during the first decade of the 20th century. Frank has done extensive research in the field of Mexican art.
The black-and-white photographs of Mexico were taken by Strand in the 1930s and depict street scenes, architecture, religious settings and the Mexican people. The traditional photogravure printing process used by Strand produced richly toned surfaces with exquisite detail.
聯The photographs show what Americans wanted from Mexico during that time period,聰 Frank said. 聯They are pre-industrial, native and picturesque. These were aspects of Mexico.聰
Another unique aspect of Strand聮s style, Frank said, is the way he used a 90 degree refracting lens on his camera that took a person聮s picture without their knowledge. This technique prevented people from being afraid of the camera, and enabled the photographer to capture people in a natural state, he said.
More than 300,000 people throughout Colorado have participated in CU This Summer offerings over the program聮s nine years of art and museum exhibits and music and dance performances.
CU This Summer cultural events are sponsored by local communities for the enrichment of residents and summer visitors. Host communities this year are Brighton, Burlington, Durango, Estes Park, Grand Junction, La Junta, Lamar, Montrose and Pueblo, as well as Cortez.
CU This Summer sponsorship is shared by the host communities and the Boulder Campus Outreach Council, the CU Office of Business and Community Relations, the department of theater and dance, CU Art Galleries, the University of Colorado Museum and College of Music with support from the Office of Public Relations.
For more information about the Cortez CU This Summer exhibit call Doug Bowman at (970) 565-1151.