Pictures that talk

By Michael Eilers
Arizona Daily Wildcat
January 23, 1997

The UA's Center for Creative Photography plans to add a unique experience to an already unusual and original exhibit by hosting their own version of "Talking Pictures: People Who Speak About the Photographs That Speak To Them." This media-savvy production is a touring show of photographs selected by people both famous and everyday, accompanied by recorded commentary on why they chose that particular photograph.

Each participant was asked to choose the one photograph that "matters most. The image that has seduced, inspired, taught, frightened, amused, offended, obsessed,

informed or provoked" them.

The image and the resulting commentary are featured in the interactive exhibit at the center. Cordless handsets allow you to access the audio comments associated with each photograph as you walk around the room.

The Center decided to bring this process one step closer to Tucson viewers by asking a group of noteworthy local citizens to try the same experiment: find a vital, provocative and personal image and present it along with commentary. Friday, each of the participants will give a short statement in conjunction with a projected slide of their choice.

Participants include gallery owner Terry Etherton, local Councilwoman Molly McKasson, photographer Todd Walker, UA professor Alfred Quiroz and author Leslie Marmon Silko.

Tucson Talking Pictures starts at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Center for Creative Photography, in the UA Arts Complex at Speedway and Park. Admission is free. Call 621-7968 for more information. http://www.ccp.arizona.edu./ccp.html.