Observer: The Street Photographs of Norman S. Carr

Observer: The Street Photographs of Norman S. Carr presents the work of photographer Norman S. Carr, who began making photographs in 2000 after a 40-year career as a lawyer and a longstanding interest in collecting photographs by major 20th-century American artists. The exhibition follows his exploration of street life in Washington, DC, and in locations across the United States and abroad, where he sought images that expressed both the distinct character of a place and experiences shared across different environments.

Carr’s photographs transform ordinary scenes into layered studies of perception, place, and everyday life. Reflections are central to his visual language, producing complex spatial and emotional effects that evoke Cubism and Surrealism. The exhibition includes black-and-white photographs made between 2000 and 2004, as well as later color work in which Carr used light and hue with the expressive force of a painter.

When: September 5–December 6

Venue: American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center

Presented by: The Alper Initiative for Washington Art

Artist: Norman S. Carr (1936–2025)

Curator: Carolyn Kinder Carr

Gallery Talk: “Observer” takes place Saturday, October 17, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Featured works: Works shown on the exhibition page include *Convention Center Construction—Washington, D.C.* (2002), an iris print; *Peyote—Mexico City* (2003), a gelatin silver print; and *Rest—Miami Beach, Florida* (2003), also a gelatin silver print.

Catalog: An exhibition catalog is available to read or download online.

Tickets: Price not available