Gay marriage is the subject of an upcoming photography exhibit to be installed at Rushmore restaurant, gallery and private dining space located under the El in the meat-packing district of the thriving West Loop at 1023 W. Lake St.
Gay marriage is an issue of considerable debate and most of the controversy centers around principles of constitutional law or morality. Rushmore is pleased to be curating this show in an effort to shift the often controversial debate and focus to the essential concept that, at the heart of the issue, gay marriage is really only about love between two people. 'Just Married' is a collection that speaks to that simple principle.
The owners of Rushmore, Franco Gianni and his partner Gary Zickel, together with a small board of volunteers, have galvanized all efforts to bring 'Just Married' to their restaurant's gallery and to the city of Chicago.
'Mayor Daley has spoken publicly in favor of gay marriage and even created a domestic-partnership registry in 2003,' said planning board member and supporter Greg Brisson. 'Despite this progress, the issue of gay marriage is still very controversial and many residents would benefit from the show's important message, and at the same time, appreciate the art.'
San Francisco Exposure Gallery partners, documentary photographer Rick Rocamora and San Fracisco Chronicle staff photographer Kim Komenich decided they would experiment with an idea for an exhibit with its origin in technology. They created a traditional gallery presentation entirely from online submissions of JPEG photo files received via email. They placed a call-for-entries online to national photojournalists and documentary photographers. By far the greatest response came from the members of the San Francisco Bay Area Press Photographers Association, all of whom are working with digital cameras on a daily basis and who are at the center of the recent legalization of gay marriage in the Bay Area. This show is a culmination and documentation of their day-to-day work.
The 32 images that now make up 'Just Married' were selected from about 200 photos submitted by 40 photographers over the period of one month as they documented 4-5,000 gay marriages. 'Just Married' showcases compelling black-and-white portraits and documentary photography.
Rocamora comments on behalf of the gallery, 'We are confident that the issue of same-sex marriages will be the center of debate in the years to come and photographers will be documenting their struggle so that we will remember.'
'Just Married' will open July 29. Rushmore is hosting a public reception for the opening night beginning at 6 p.m. The show will run through Sept. 30 at 1023 W. Lake St. Viewing hours are concurrent with the restaurant business hours. Reservations are recommended if dining at Rushmore before or after viewings.