Smithsonian Hosts New Exhibition of Digital Portraits by Robert Weingarten

WHAT:The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History invites media to preview "Pushing Boundaries: Portraits by Robert Weingarten," a new exhibition that asks visitors to consider what makes a portrait.

WHEN:Tuesday, June 2611 a.m.

WHERE: International GalleryS. Dillon Ripley Center1100 Jefferson Drive S.W.

WHO:Marc Pachter, interim director, National Museum of American HistoryShannon Perich, curator, National Museum of American HistoryRobert Weingarten, photographer

"Pushing Boundaries: Portraits by Robert Weingarten," opening July 2, explores the blurred line between portraiture and biography, revealing the depths of each subject's life and their experience by showcasing 15 large-scale (60-by-90 inches) digital composite portraits of Weingarten's visual biographies of well-known Americans from the worlds of art, culture, politics, sports and science, including Sandra Day O'Connor, Hank Aaron and Dennis Hopper.

In 6,500 square feet, Weingarten's work is complemented by a selection of historic photographs from the museum's collection. The historic photographs provide context and support the underpinnings of Weingarten's work through the history of portraiture, combination printing and more recent digital innovations in six sections: Famous Faces, Place and Space, Occupational Portraiture, Photographing Success, History of Digital Photography and Combination Printing.

Two short videos accompany the exhibition. In the first one Weingarten discusses the Portrait Unbound series and the question "What makes you who you are?" The second video highlights the meeting between Weingarten and Aaron and features how Weingarten built Aaron's portrait digitally.

Media only: Laura Duff (202) 633-3129Kathleen Walker (202) 633-3129

Media website: http://newsdesk.si.edu

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- June 22, 2012/

SOURCE Smithsonian's National Museum of American History