Just ask a neighbor. Nearly every Pittsburgher knows someone not from these parts who thinks of our city as dirty and gritty.
We've all heard the less-than-flattering nicknames for our town -- "Smoky City," "Hell with the lid off" and, of course, "Steel City" -- which, let's face it, has nothing to do with the Pittsburgh of today.
Although those names did make sense nearly a century ago -- when now-legendary photographer Lewis Hine (1874-1940) came to Pittsburgh in 1907 to record what was the steel-making capital of the world at the time for The Pittsburgh Survey -- they don't make sense now.
But what about Pittsburgh now⢠A new exhibition that just opened at Silver Eye Center for Photography on the South Side answers that question through 63 compelling images that altogether give the city's image a makeover.
With images of daily life among many of Pittsburgh's ethnically diverse neighborhoods, in many ways the works on view mirror those of the Pittsburgh Photographic Library, directed by Roy Stryker from 1950 to 1953, which documented the city's first renaissance.
But even though Pittsburgh has been through two complete renaissance periods, "Pittsburgh continues to be seen as the smoky city by people who don't live here because that's the graphic image that they have in their minds," says Linda Benedict-Jones, Silver Eye's executive director.
Benedict-Jones hopes this exhibition, which she co-curated with curator and film producer Henry J. Simonds, will change people's perception of Pittsburgh with the power of photography.
"Photography feeds our memories, and I think that's one of the most important aspects of our medium," Benedict-Jones says. "I honestly believe that photography will be instrumental in changing people's perception of what Pittsburgh is today."
Although the throngs of immigrants that filled the mills and hillside neighborhoods a century ago are long gone, many of their ancestors continue to define pockets of the city, and that is reflected on the walls of the gallery where, for example, one can find a photo of two Hasidic men buying baked goods in Squirrel Hill bakery -- taken by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Steve Adams -- next to a photo of a man cooking ribs on a Strip District street captured by Ken Neely.
William D. Wade's frenetic image of a costumed dancer during a Fist Night parade and his Christo-inspired shot of the 16th Street Bridge wrapped and ready to go for repainting reveal an artistic approach that rivals most.
Similarly, Lake Fong and Annie O'Neill display an acute awareness for capturing sentimental moments -- Fong with "Chinese Folk Dance," which depicts little girls doing a ribbon dance, and O'Neill with "Prom at the Warhol," which captures exhausted teen couples in early-morning repose.
Quite the opposite, Heather Mull's work reflects the more experimental approach she has championed. "School Board Meeting" and "Deejay on Turntables" offer refreshing viewpoints of relatively ordinary subjects through the creative use of a fisheye lens.
Both Carrie Schneider and Dylan Vitone capture the city's youth in several images that, when seen hanging either next to or near each other, provide for interesting contrasts.
For example, on one wall, a photograph of one empty pool that was closed last summer due to a city budget crisis is hung beneath one that was reopened and thriving thanks to the Save Our Summer coalition. On another, Vitone presents opposite images of teenage life with his signature panoramic photographs: one featuring teen girls all dressed in white at a medallion ball, which is hung beneath another of a lineup of kids in clown makeup waiting for the opening of an Insane Clown Posse concert.
Finally, Long presents a slice of Pittsburgh life few know about with a picture of a homeless person's hideaway under the Seventh Street Bridge, which is made all the more poignant by way of a Jesus picture taped to a structural beam that takes up the center of the composition.
In addition to the photographs on view, visitors can see 15 more images each by the nine photographers included in the show on a video monitor that further fleshes out the diverse city that Pittsburgh has become.
For his part, co-curator Simonds says that if the works in this show do anything, they redefine the image of Pittsburgh in terms of diversity.
"One thing this show reflects is that there's a tremendous amount of diversity that exists in this city that we don't really talk about or embrace as a city," he says. "For this city to be economically and culturally competitive in the future, we really do have to embrace and encourage different levels of diversity.
"I think we as a city need to re-examine the cultural makeup so that we can move forward and place the city on the right track to success."
Related programs
"Pittsburgh Going Forward," panel discussion. With photographs from the exhibition for inspiration, this discussion will focus on the issues, assets, problems and opportunities facing our region. Offered in collaboration with the Citizens' Summit on Better Regional Governance. Panelists include Court Gould, director of Sustainable Pittsburgh, and Tracey McCants-Lewis, president of Urban League Young Professionals of Pittsburgh. The moderator is Pat Clark of Jackson/Clark Partners. 10 a.m. to noon May 14. $10; $7 members and students. Reservations recommended
Film screening, "America & Lewis Hine." This 1984 film, directed by Nina Rosenblum, includes images created by Lewis Hine for The Pittsburgh Survey in 1907, as well as images from his renowned series on child labor, the Empire State Building and others. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1984. Introduction by Tim Fabian, photographer and collector. 7 p.m. June 1. Free, but a donation is requested.
"Meet the Photographers and See More of Their Work." All sessions begin at 7 p.m.
- May 26: Rob Long, Annie O'Neill, Dylan Vitone
- June 9: Heather Mull, Ken Neely, William D. Wade
- July 28: Steven Adams, Lake Fong, Carrie Schneider
Admission: $10; $7 members and students. Reservations recommended. Refreshments will be served. Additional Information:
Details
Pittsburgh NOWWhat: Photographs of Pittsburgh by nine local photojournalists.
When: Through Aug. 20. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; noon to 9 p.m. Thursdays
Admission: Free, but a donation is suggested
Where: Silver Eye Center for Photography, 1015 E. Carson St., South Side
Details: (412) 431-1810 or www.silvereye.org
