Capture the Moment
Sunday, February 18, 2007 7:07 AM PST
One click can impact the world
Beckey Arnold
Argus Observer
Caldwell
Powerful, devastating and graphic are some words Jan Book, project manager, and Jennifer Oxley, communications director, used to describe “Capture the Moment,” a traveling exhibit of Pulitzer Prize photographs.
The last 60 years of award winning photographs, and a description/interview from the photographer, are on display now until March 11 at Albertson College of Idaho in Caldwell. “Capture the Moment” is a traveling exhibit that moves around the country.
So how did this amazing display with pieces of history make its way to Caldwell? Through two individuals - Alan Minskoff, ACI journalism instructor, and Pamela Lassiter, director of corporate and foundation relations - working hard for the past 15 months. It took a lot to convince the curator of the exhibit that Idaho could host “Capture the Moment.”
Oxley said Minskoff and Lassiter didn't want people to have to pay for this experience and worked hard to raise enough grants, funds and private donations to make that possible.
“It usually goes to big cities, the closest it's been to us is Tacoma (Wash.),” Oxley said. “It's booked through 2010 and will be going to Pittsburgh next.”
The exhibit begins with the first photograph to receive the Pulitzer Prize in 1942 and goes through 2005. There are 134 photographs, representing every annual winner. The exhibit has displays, such as Joe Rosenthal's 1945 winning photograph of soldiers raising the American flag at Iwo Jima. There is the photo of New York Yankee baseball player No. 3 - the “Sultan of Swat,” Babe Ruth - at Yankee stadium. Photos of riots, war, fire, destruction and the brutality of mankind collage the walls at ACI.
“These photos are not real happy,” Book said. “They are sad and wrenching.”
People have expressed to Book that, after viewing the exhibit, they feel almost ashamed to be human.
Oxley recommends taking your time through the exhibit and reading the descriptions.
“The photos are powerful (to begin with),” Oxley said. “And when you read the description, you get drawn in all over again.”
Both Book and Oxley said there were so many recognizable photos that each had forgotten about.
“I had forgotten how they took Elian Gonzalez,” Oxley said.
“So much has happened recently,” Book said. “But it's already a part of our history.”
Book said there are photos of Katrina and the Twin Towers already on the wall, yet both are still in the process of recovery.
“This is truly a history lesson,” Oxley said.
History affects people differently, and Book said this exhibit did just that for two particular gentleman.
“Two older gentleman asked me where the photos of World War II or the Korean War were at,” Book said. “Those events effected them personally - it was their personal history.”
There are a lot of Vietnam War photos, Book said.
Oxley said people should realize the exhibit might not be the best place for young children.
“Some of these photos are powerful and disturbing,” Oxley said.
High school teachers are encouraged to call Book to schedule a field trip, she said. Book can be reached at (208) 860-4308 or by e-mail at jan@noblefoodsfarm.com.
Local Ontario photography teacher Ted Fink, said he spent one and one half hours at the exhibit but did not have time to finish. He said people need to give themselves enough time to look at it all.
“I am planning to return,” Fink said. “It's one thing to see the photos in publication, and another to see them up close.”
Until Fink finishes the exhibit, he said there is no one photo in particular that stands out.
Fink worked as a newspaper photographer in both the Bay Area and at the Argus Observer. He said one criteria for the Pulitzer Prize is historical content, like war.
“A lot of the photographs are gruesome - they're of bodies and such,” he said.
Fink said this is one of the most prestigious awards, but it doesn't necessarily mean you are the best.
“You create your own luck by being prepared - right place, right time.” he said. “When I was shooting full time, I saw these photos as motivation - now, it's kinda different, they are inspiring but depressing - there is a lot of human emotion.”
Fink said he wants people to check it out for the historical and the photography aspect.
He said he admires the photographers' courage with the situations they are in.
