“Chased By the Light: Jim Brandenburg’s 90-Day Photo Journey” comes back to the University of Minnesota’s Bell Museum of Natural History for a new showing that opens December 10, 2011 and runs through May 13, 2012. It’s the first time in 13 years the popular exhibit will be available to Twin City area residents. The exhibit has thrilled audiences nationwide since its debut.
Brandenburg began his photo journey with a simple plan: "In autumn I set out to make one photograph—one single exposure—each day for 90 days. I hoped with patience and endurance to renew my vision of the natural world."
After 90 days what emerged from the deep woods in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, was a changed photographer—with three rolls of film. Each roll, filled with images that represented Brandenburg’s feelings about the essence of wild places—a raven feather in the rain; a tree marked by a bear; a vibrant view of aurora borealis.
In today’s era of quick communication, mind-boggling amounts of media and digital cameras providing the user a nearly never-ending supply of photos to alter, crop and color, “Chased By the Light” is more relevant than ever.
“Setting aside time to slow down—to study and contemplate nature and the world around us is a timeless message, and this exhibit is a great way to inspire people to do this,” says Bell Museum exhibit curator Don Luce.
For Luce, documenting our relationship with nature is not only good for the spirit, it’s also key to the preservation of memories. “The BWCA where many of the images were shot has been in the news of late. With climate change, intense storms and fires, the north woods are changing rapidly. This area we thought we set aside to be preserved forever, may be a very different place for our children and grandchildren. Jim's photos will be an important visual documentation of what this place was once like.”
All 90 of Brandenburg’s “Chased By the Light” images will be on display in the West Gallery at the Bell Museum along with a selection of images from the same areas Brandenburg took after the major storm of 1999. A video theater provides a behind-the-scenes exploration of methods and meanings of Brandenburg’s remarkable images.
Brandenburg spent three decades traveling the world as a photographer with National Geographic Magazine. His piece, “NorthWoods Journal,” the impetus for Chased By the Light, made National Geographic history. According to editor William Allen, it was “the most photographs the magazine had ever published in one feature in its entire history…and by the way, using the least amount of film.”
Brandenburg began his photo journey with a simple plan: "In autumn I set out to make one photograph—one single exposure—each day for 90 days. I hoped with patience and endurance to renew my vision of the natural world."
After 90 days what emerged from the deep woods in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, was a changed photographer—with three rolls of film. Each roll, filled with images that represented Brandenburg’s feelings about the essence of wild places—a raven feather in the rain; a tree marked by a bear; a vibrant view of aurora borealis.
In today’s era of quick communication, mind-boggling amounts of media and digital cameras providing the user a nearly never-ending supply of photos to alter, crop and color, “Chased By the Light” is more relevant than ever.
“Setting aside time to slow down—to study and contemplate nature and the world around us is a timeless message, and this exhibit is a great way to inspire people to do this,” says Bell Museum exhibit curator Don Luce.
For Luce, documenting our relationship with nature is not only good for the spirit, it’s also key to the preservation of memories. “The BWCA where many of the images were shot has been in the news of late. With climate change, intense storms and fires, the north woods are changing rapidly. This area we thought we set aside to be preserved forever, may be a very different place for our children and grandchildren. Jim's photos will be an important visual documentation of what this place was once like.”
All 90 of Brandenburg’s “Chased By the Light” images will be on display in the West Gallery at the Bell Museum along with a selection of images from the same areas Brandenburg took after the major storm of 1999. A video theater provides a behind-the-scenes exploration of methods and meanings of Brandenburg’s remarkable images.
Brandenburg spent three decades traveling the world as a photographer with National Geographic Magazine. His piece, “NorthWoods Journal,” the impetus for Chased By the Light, made National Geographic history. According to editor William Allen, it was “the most photographs the magazine had ever published in one feature in its entire history…and by the way, using the least amount of film.”
I am a student interpreter at the Bell Museum,as well as a huge fan of your work. When I heard that this was going to be the next exhibit, I was more than thrilled! I walked through on Friday, and was blown-away by the detailed and beautiful images. Thank you Jim for all your work and inspiring images!
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