By Madeleine Powell
Arts Editor
Every family is slightly dysfunctional, and “Experience 33: AWKWARD” makes sure this fact is well known.
“Experience 33: AWKWARD,” the newest exhibit from the El Segundo Museum of Art, skillfully transforms the museum’s gallery hall into an inviting space through impressive attention to detail. The amusingly awkward family photos displayed spark laughter among attendees as they relate the snapshots to their own experiences.
Mike Bender and Doug Chernack, started their blog, awkwardfamilyphotos.com, in May 2009 after Bender saw an embarrassing family photo in his parent’s house. Since then, Bender and Chernack have collected photos from families across the United States and around the world, and have also published their collection in the New York Times Bestselling book, “Awkward Family Photos.”
“Experience 33: AWKWARD” displays Bender and Chernack’s collection of photos from families around the world. The exhibit features 210 photos of families, and is intended to help people embrace how truly awkward being a part of a family can be.
Each of the pictures presented in “Experience 33: AWKWARD” is full of amusement and love, however misguided that love may be. Photos range from chuckle-worthy to undeniably hilarious, featuring all too familiar moments such as picture days gone tremendously wrong to terrifyingly ill-advised Halloween costumes.
The gallery itself contributes to the warm and light-hearted theme “Experience 33: AWKWARD” strives to convey. Vibrant colors, stripes, flowers and even bright pink flamingos adorn the exhibit’s walls, at times contrasting with the photos’ ornate and gaudy frames. This clever staging makes it easy to imagine the exact same photos, frames and wallpapers in the home of loving grandparents.
Families of all different races, sizes and ages are displayed throughout the collection, united by the hilarity that follows having some of their most cringeworthy moments captured forever by a camera. “Experience 33: AWKWARD” does not discriminate the pictures it showcases based on the talent of the photographer; it takes the beauty of family, embarrassment included, and unapologetically presents it to the viewer as art.
“Experience 33: AWKWARD” creates a space for that encourages families to enjoy the unique works together. Viewers can laugh and enjoy the secondhand embarrassment together as they relate the photos to their own not-so-picture-perfect moments.
The exhibit is not limited to simply photos; there are numerous couches and chairs scattered throughout the exhibit, on top of which sit copies of Bender and Chernack’s book, creating a relaxed environment that attendees take their time enjoying. A photo booth for exhibit-goers to take their own awkward photos is also included within the exhibit, further elevating “Experience 33: AWKWARD” beyond a simple collection of images.
“Experience 33: AWKWARD” effectively captures the awkwardness of families worldwide through a multitude of entertaining images. Bright wallpapers, picture frames, comfortable seats and the innovative inclusion of a photo booth combine to create a uniquely memorable exhibit.
“Experience 33: AWKWARD,” is open until Apr. 28. The El Segundo Museum of Art is located at 208 Main St in El Segundo, CA, and is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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