The iconic photography exhibition is now being digitised. RTL’s Claudia Kollwetter takes a closer look at the aims of the project.
The Family of Man was first shown in 1955 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where Steichen was head of the photography department. At the time, seven versions of the exhibition were created, featuring 503 photographs by 273 artists from 68 countries. Today, only one version remains, which has been on display in Clervaux since 1994.
As there are no negatives of the photographs, a renewed digitisation is now under way, explained Claire de Felice, the exhibition’s curator. She noted that an initial digitisation was completed in 2013, which allowed the photos to be restored. “However, naturally, the technology has evolved,” de Felice added. She hopes that the new digitisation and reproductions will make it possible for the exhibition to travel to other parts of the world.
Another key reason for the digitisation is to preserve the photographs. As they are not framed or protected behind glass, they are particularly sensitive and exposed to the elements. For this reason, the exhibition is closed for two months each year on Mondays and Tuesdays, and on other days it is only open to the public in the afternoon.
Claire de Felice, the exhibition’s curator, said: “The works that we see in the exhibition here today cannot be displayed in their original form forever.” She explained that other museums, such as the National History Museum (MNHA), use a rotational system to display photographs at different times. “That means we could hypothetically have a rotation system, where some of the originals are displayed alongside reproductions, in order to conserve the originals,” she added.
Photographs can gradually be damaged by light exposure, climate factors, and even the breath of visitors. The current digitisation is being carried out in collaboration with a UK-based company and is taking place in two phases. The first phase is now under way. According to de Felice, it was not possible to take down all the photographs in the first year due to the exhibition’s scenography and because some could not be digitised on site. The team therefore began with the works that were easiest to handle, completing a little more than half of the collection this year.
The first phase is scheduled to run until mid-March, with the second phase planned for next year. De Felice said the digitisation could also enhance the virtual visit to The Family of Man: “The aim would also be to develop that further. Of course, we are always happy when people can come to the venue, and it is important to see it in person. But it is also understandable that not everyone in the world has the opportunity to come to Clervaux.”
From 17 March, the exhibition in Clervaux will reopen to the public in its usual form.
