NEW YORK, NY.- The International Center of Photography (ICP), the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture, today revealed details about its new Museum space and thought-provoking premiere exhibition, Public, Private, Secret — both of which will open to the public on Thursday, June 23, 2016. Organized by the institution’s first-ever Curator-in-Residence, Charlotte Cotton, with ICP Associate Curator Pauline Vermare and Assistant Curator Marina Chao, the debut show and events program explore the concept of privacy in today’s society and studies how contemporary self-identity is tied to public visibility.
“ICP’s mission has always been to examine how images impact and influence social change, which is particularly critical now that mobile devices and social networks have made us all image-makers,” says Mark Lubell, ICP’s Executive Director. “Images are now produced and exchanged by millions of people globally to communicate complex ideas about everything from urban policing to self-identity. The new ICP Museum space was specifically designed to foster shared dialogues about these issues, and the opening exhibition — Public, Private, Secret — is a perfect example of this, addressing one of the most critical conversations in today’s post-Internet society: privacy.”
Open through January 2017, Public, Private, Secret presents a wide range of historical and contemporary works by artists including Zach Blas, Martine Syms, Natalie Bookchin, Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin, and Andy Warhol. Streams of real-time images and videos from various social media sources — curated with Mark Ghuneim and ICP’s New Media Narratives students — sharpen and heighten visitors’ attention towards the social implications of our image-centric world, and further demonstrate ICP’s unique outlook and modus operandi for its new space. Largely made possible through the generous support of the ICP Exhibitions Committee, Public, Private, Secret creates a physical experience through which to examine photography’s role in breaking and resetting the boundaries of social and personal privacy.
ICP Curator-in-Residence Charlotte Cotton says, “This new space enabled us to rethink our curatorial practices and respond to our contemporary image environment in new ways. Public, Private, Secret’s non-hierarchical organization allows for dialogue between and about the diversity of photographic and visual culture in a wholly unique and unexpected way.”
The Museum’s new home will feature a glass-fronted public space, visible and accessible from the street, where visitors can participate in various programs — including lectures, workshops, and discussions — before entering the ticket-required galleries, where the conversation continues. The inviting and open design includes an area with books, curated by Spaces Corners; a real-time surveillance “clock” designed by David Reinfurt; and an exhibition wall for temporary installations and public announcements, which will be presented throughout the Public, Private, Secret season.
Located at 250 Bowery, the ICP Museum will be open beginning June 23, with standard operating hours on Tuesday – Sunday from 10 AM – 6 PM, and extended hours on Thursday evenings to 9 PM. Admission to exhibitions will be $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for students. Children 14 and under, accompanied by an adult, can enter for free.
