Rainbow Lake

            I recently visited the Getty Center in Los Angeles, one of my favorite places to visit in the city, to see an exhibit entitled Rainbow Lake. Rainbow Lake is an experimental photography exhibit by artist Matthew Brandt. The show is a part of the Light, Paper, Process: Reinventing Photography collection showing until later this September. The exhibit focuses on the desire for constant exploration and experimentation with the photographic medium since it’s beginning in the early 19^th century.

            Several artists are apart of the show, each similar in their investigation of light sensitivity and disturbing the natural chemical process involved with traditional photography. The exhibit gives a snapshot of past artists, as well as artists working today that are successful in thoroughly interrogating the medium and attempting to reinvent the art form. What is a photograph?

            My favorite room in the exhibit was Rainbow Lake, a room designated for Brandt’s work. He begins his artistic process by traveling the country photographing various lakes, cities, and natural scenes. His work then comes to life in disturbing the alchemy of the developing process and experimenting with the potential effects of chemicals, time, and color that other photographers have yet to question. Many of his photos were soaked in water from the lakes they depict or left to develop for months at a time, just to see what could happen. The exhibit is very unlike the standard conventional painting and drawing exhibits that the Getty is usually host to and I recommend it to anyone looking for a day trip in LA.