The Ansel Adams you don't know . . .

Most of us know Ansel Adams for his iconic images of Yosemite and the American Southwest. His pictures of Half Dome can be found in museum stores, book shops, and coffee table art tomes throughout the world– not to mention just about one out of every two college dorm rooms. One of our previous century’s most important photographers, Adams’ work was dictated by a tremendous appreciation of the environment–and the desire to showcase our country’s greatest natural treasures in their respective moments of desolate beauty.

But, lesser known is his 1940 work on assignment in Los Angeles for Fortune Magazine. Capturing a pre-war city in all her permutations, Adams put forth a narrative of life unspoiled in a city now so often scolded for the same. Adams discovered these ‘lost’ images in 1960, and donated them to the Los Angeles Public Library. Lucky for us, downtown L.A.’s art gallery ’drkrm’ is presenting these works now through March 17th–at 727 S. Spring Street. Or, catch them online soon!  Shown above is one sample of his work.

http://arthash.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/art-bit-ansel-adams-does-old-school-l-a/