by Diana Crandall
Beginning March 4, Schumacher Gallery has been the proud temporary home of a New Smithsonian traveling exhibition of Elvis Presley, before he was “The King of Rock ’n’ Roll.”
Developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and the Govinda Gallery, Elvis at 21: Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer presents 56 moments of history.
The photographs, on display until Saturday, April 27, were taken by freelance photojournalist Wertheimer in 1956. Hired by RCA Victor, Wertheimer shot photos of a 21-year-old, newly signed Presley.
Wertheimer’s verve to continue photographing Presley after the initial assignment lead to the documentation of Elvis not only on the road, but also backstage, in concert, in the studio, and at his home in Memphis, Tennessee.
Distinctly, Wertheimer was in the studio with Elvis the day that he recorded both “Hound Dog” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” Both singles hit the number one spot, and a star was born.
“I was more interested in [capturing] the moments just before or just after [a] decisive moment,” Wertheimer said, discussing the timing of his photographs.
Several photographs went on to be among most famous ever published.
Shortly after Wertheimer’s assignment to photograph a “singer he had never heard of,” Elvis rocketed to the top of the American charts and started his career as one of the most popular and unparalleled performers of the time.
Going into public was no longer a casual affair, and the raw moments that Wertheimer captured during the weeks leading up to Elvis’ explosion became precious, rare, and one of a kind.
After leaving Capital, this unique exhibition will continue to travel to museums around the country through 2013.
dcrandal@capital.edu
