Carl Chiarenza: Journey into the Unknown
Carl Chiarenza (American, b. 1935). Peace Warrior 7, 2004. Gelatin silver print. George Eastman Museum, gift of the artist in honor of the museum's curators, directors, and staff members during his lifetime. © Carl Chiarenza.
Carl Chiarenza (American, b. 1935). Untitled 295, 1994. Gelatin silver print. Lent by the artist. © Carl Chiarenza.
Carl Chiarenza (American, b. 1935). In a Manger, Rochester, NY, ca. 1955. Gelatin silver print. George Eastman Museum, gift of the artist in honor of the museum's curators, directors, and staff members during his lifetime. © Carl Chiarenza.
Carl Chiarenza (American, b. 1935). Untitled 280, 1990. Gelatin silver print. George Eastman Museum, gift of the artist in honor of the museum's curators, directors, and staff members during his lifetime. © Carl Chiarenza.
Carl Chiarenza (American, b. 1935). The End Beginning, 2015. Collage. Lent by the artist. © Carl Chiarenza.
Carl Chiarenza (American, b. 1935). That-a-Way, 2019. Collage. Lent by the artist. © Carl Chiarenza.
Throughout his career, Carl Chiarenza (American, b. 1935) has demonstrated that photographs can provide much more than just documentary evidence. Rather than create straightforward records of the cast-off materials that appear before his camera, Chiarenza photographically transforms them into new and provocative images. His photographs often bear little resemblance to their actual subjects and instead suggest mysterious worlds that viewers are invited to explore.
This retrospective exhibition spans the Rochester-based artist’s entire career, beginning with early photographs Chiarenza made as a high school student in Rochester in the 1950s and concluding with a large selection of his most recent work in collage. The exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to follow the continuities and ruptures in Chiarenza’s artistic journey as his career enters its seventh decade.
Generously supported by the Rubens Family Foundation.
Exhibition Catalogue
This publication accompanies the retrospective exhibition Carl Chiarenza: Journey into the Unknown. The illustrated catalogue, with essays by William T. Green and Keith F. Davis, provides readers an opportunity to follow the continuities and ruptures in Chiarenza's artistic journey as his career enters its seventh decade.
Carl Chiarenza: Making a Picture
Virtual 360 Tour
Explore Journey into the Unknown virtually, complete with all audio, text, and full-size images.
Navigation tips:
- Wall text and images are available to view by clicking the grey dots next to the works. To see the work in greater detail, simply click on the image for it to expand to full screen.
- For the audio tour, click on the yellow dots. You can listen to each of these within the Matterport. if you prefer, you can also access the audio below on this webpage or visit eastman.oncell.com on your mobile device.
Spotify Playlist
Enjoy this playlist created by the artist to pair with his works.
