Journey to Crystal Bridges: NWA Mag

By Sarah Osterman Myers

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – If you remember a crumpled map and, consequently, a string of parental profanities, or are familiar with the unyielding voice of Google Maps, you’ve probably traveled by car at some point over the past 50 years. Since World War II, road trips have become an idealistic way to explore the American Frontier, and cars have catapulted travelers, whatever their state, down the open road. To the American explorer, the road is not just a route for transportation; it’s a portal to discovery.

“The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip” is Crystal Bridges’ first large-scale photography exhibition and will feature 19 photographers, 100 plus images, and, in total, 8,000 square feet of work. The featured artists and road trips are meant to represent the evolution of American car culture and the road as a source of exploration, inspiration and reflection.

“The point of view and range of work for each photographer in the exhibition illustrates how road trips have different meanings and results based on the individual traveler,” said Curatorial Assistant Alison Demorotski. “‘The Open Road’ challenges that notion of familiarity in a very interesting way.”

While some of the scenery may be recognizable – roadside motels, stops along Route 66, famous theme parks – Crystal Bridges’ Communications Director Diane Carroll says these photographs are far from ordinary snapshots.

“If you’ve ever been on a road trip and taken photos, you should come see how professional photographers approach the same subject and elevate it from a snapshot to a work of art,” she explained.

In addition to getting a deeper look at an art form that feels familiar, visitors will have the opportunity to see photography on a large scale, which is brand new for Crystal Bridges’ audience. Yet, it’s hard to believe this exhibition could be done on any other scale, considering it features photographic titans like Robert Frank, Ed Ruscha, William Eggleston, Lee Friedlander, Joel Sternfeld, Alec Soth and Nico Krebs, just to name a few. While each artist brings a distinctive perspective, Demorotski anticipates there will be some new favorites for museum guests.

“Joel Sternfeld’s series, “American Prospects”, appears as classical landscape compositions, but often there are somewhat comical observations,” said Demorotski. “We found a surprise in one of the images once it arrived in the gallery – guests will have to take a close look to find it!”

“The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip” was organized by Aperture Foundation, New York, and curated by David Campany and Denise Wolff. The project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and will run through May 30, 2016. General Admission is $10. For more information, call (479) 418-5700.