PUBLISHED: November 22, 2024 | www.baltimoresun.com
When I first heard that I was invited as the guest of Jan Adams, a prominent entrepreneur in the aviation space, to attend the opening of an exhibit made for legendary photojournalist Harry Benson in downtown Washington, D.C., to showcase 150 of his greatest works, I knew I had to attend.
The gallery is situated near the Capital One Arena in D.C., a short distance from Baltimore. It is an accessible and appealing location for anyone living in Baltimore to visit. I have visited many galleries and museums in my lifetime, but I was unprepared to be engulfed by the profound, intimate historic moments captured in Benson’s images.
The two-story, 10,000-square-foot gallery showcases 150 of Benson’s most iconic images, featuring some of the most influential political figures and celebrities of the last century. The exhibit is a tribute to Benson’s illustrious career as a photojournalist, showcasing decades of photographs that capture raw moments of well-known figures for public view. Ted Leonsis, owner of Monumental Sports and owner of the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals, along with Jeff Skoll, the first president of eBay, acquired Benson’s iconic photographs and opened the exhibit. Their collaboration is what brought this remarkable collection to the heart of downtown D.C.
The pre-opening gala for the exhibit was crowded with over 200 invited guests anxious to speak with Benson and appreciate his work. Upon entering, I became fascinated by the historic photos adorning the walls, events from the past that would have otherwise been buried had Benson’s lens not immortalized them. A candid shot captured the Beatles’ arrival in the United States, for example. The band appears elated, thrilled to be in America, welcomed by numerous exuberant fans in the midst of Beatlemania. The excitement and the intense emotions of the band members were unmistakable.
While strolling through the exhibit and appreciating every photograph, I was captivated by the breadth and depth of Benson’s work. Some images were powerful, such as those depicting the Civil Rights marches and other significant events in American history, or capturing Muhammad Ali during a fight. Some images were intimate, such as those of Michael Jackson in his private quarters and Queen Elizabeth II appearing magnificent and ageless. There were also somber moments, such as a photograph of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy as he lay dying on the floor immediately following the shooting that ended his life — a photograph that Benson took by jumping atop a table in the kitchen where Kennedy was lying.
Benson’s photographs of every American president since Dwight D. Eisenhower were equally impressive. From Eisenhower to Joe Biden, Benson’s lens has captured the evolution of American leadership, showing moments of both power and vulnerability. Seeing portraits of John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, the Bushes, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and others all presented in their own context gave a layered perspective of the office and the individuals who have shaped our nation.
The exhibit’s layout is carefully constructed, allowing each photograph enough area to be appreciated. It encourages the audience to stop, contemplate and reflect on each photograph, ensuring that attention is directed toward the artwork itself, enabling the viewer to concentrate on the intricate details of each image, the nuanced emotions, and to ponder more profoundly the context in which the photograph was captured.
The gallery’s proximity to the Capital One Arena, combined with convenient access from Baltimore, makes it an easy, valuable, and engaging trip. Families can bring their children to provide them with the opportunity to experience the historical context and the influential leaders and public figures who have influenced our nation. It also provides adults the ability to look at the past from a fresh perspective.
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