​PHOTO ESSAY  -  
          Interesting City Scenes

A Spiral in the Ceiling    -    Photo by Pamela Pitt                                   

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A Visit to the Contemporary Jewish Museum 
in San Francisco
​​By Pamela Pitt

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I have been to the Contemporary Jewish Museum in the past. But when I went with the OLLI group, it was new. We were shown the features of the building. This made me look at the museum itself and not just what was displayed. There was so much soft daylight. 

As a photographer, I love light. Light is the most important thing in a photograph. So, when the guide started talking about the museum itself, I looked up. I pulled out my camera. (Well, my cell phone.) I tried to capture the beauty that was there. I then took those pictures of the light home with me and used various apps and programs to reorganize the light and make a work of art based on the museum itself. Here is the result:  

​1. There is so much ambient soft light in the gallery on the west side. It is done by using windows that are an art work in themselves. They are deep and the slanted direction allows light to enter without shadows or glare. This picture has been altered to emphasize the light glowing on the walls.  

2.  In the entrance to the museum there are windows high overhead that provide bright lighting that mixes with the brick structure of the entry room. Looking up at all the visual treats is a bit dizzying, especially trying to take it in all at once. This picture has been altered to encompass the whole looking-up experience in a 2D format.

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3.  I would like to say that this version of the entrance is the heart of the museum. But as you continue in and see the other rooms and galleries, you realize that the whole museum is a spiritual experience.

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4. This is pure window light crafted into an abstract design. I have been attracted to abstract design since I was in high school in the 1960s and my family subscribed to Life magazine. I always looked at the pictures of art exhibits in the magazine, even though I had never been to an actual art gallery. I was inspired to do abstract art. Life goes on.

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5. Part of what is so terrific about the entry room is the show of globes hanging from the ceiling. You have to look up to see the array. This picture has been altered in hopes the viewer can experience the dizziness that results from popping your head back and being rewarded with this display.

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6. Although the windows provide light, you can also look out of them and see what is surrounding the museum. This is a glimpse of the magical kingdom you observe in and around the museum.

Editor's Note:  The pictures shown in this display are published with the permission of the Curator at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St. in San Francisco.  

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After becoming an attorney, Pamela Pitt graduated with an MFA (1990) from the San Francisco Art Institute. She showed her photography work nationally in group and solo shows. Seeking daylight after years in the dark room, she worked on collage with mixed media painting and photography. Ideas from social issues became the basis of certain collage series:
2014: ripped pages from a law book on the “Patriot Act” to use as collage elements.
2016: used tissue dress "Patterns" in a series about the place of women.
2017: produced a collage series based on the concept of making land a commodity.
With her current focus on photography and scanner digital art, Pam works on achieving peace through creativity and beauty.​​

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