Artist Vera Lutter in her studio at LACMA, with CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director Michael Govan

Behind the Scenes: Vera Lutter’s Artist Residency at LACMA

July 24, 2017
Jennifer King, Associate Curator of Contemporary Projects

Since February of this year, New York-based artist Vera Lutter has been engaged in an ambitious residency at LACMA, making large-scale photographs of LACMA’s campus and collections.


Vera Lutter, Rodin Garden, I: February 22, 2017, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, promised gift of Sharyn and Bruce Charnas, © Vera Lutter

Often, when an artist makes technically complex work, the final artwork gives little indication of the enormous degree of preparation required by the artist’s process. This is certainly the case with Lutter, whose practice of using a camera obscura requires considerable planning, and, in the case of her exposures, time and patience. For this reason, we’re especially pleased to share a behind-the-scenes video of Lutter’s residency at LACMA that was produced by Sotheby’s, a major supporter of the commission. In it, you’ll hear from the artist herself, as well Patrice Marandel, curator emeritus and former Chief Curator of European Art, and Michael Govan, CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director.