World's Largest Photograph to be exhibited

On September 6, 2007, The Great Picture will be unveiled at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. This is not an exhibition of a series of photographs—only one will be displayed. The title sounds like a grand claim until the particulars are considered: The Great Picture has been declared the world's largest photograph by The Guinness Book of World Records. Measuring three stories high by eleven stories wide, this gelatin silver print cost $65,000 to produce.

To be displayed at the "Wind Tunnel" exhibition space (where there is ample space to hang the monstrosity), meant to evoke the F-18 jet hangar in Southern California where the photograph was made. A print of this size required a camera larger than any in history, so the hangar itself was shuttered and converted into a giant camera obscura.

A group of six photographers known as The Legacy Project helmed the creation of this photograph over the course of nine months, aided by 400 volunteers, artists, and experts. 80 liters of emulsion were applied onto a custom-made 3,375 square-foot canvas substrate.

From the Legacy Project's press announcement:

"Development was done in a custom Olympic pool-sized developing tray using ten high volume submersible pumps and 1,800 gallons of black and white chemistry. The premier exhibition at Art Center College of Design, South Campus, will feature The Great Picture along with videos and photographs in an environment designed to re-create the dramatic atmosphere within the jet-hangar-ascamera where the giant photograph was made."

The photograph shows the control tower, structures and runways seen from the hangar, part of the 4,700-acre Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Southern California. The Great Picture will be on display September 6 to 29, 2007.

Click here to visit The Legacy Project's website.