New York,
June 5, 2012—The Museum of Modern Art has selected
Quentin Bajac as its next Chief Curator of Photography, MoMA
Director Glenn D. Lowry announced today. Mr. Bajac, who has
been the Chief Curator of Photography at the Centre
Pompidou, Musée Nationale d'art moderne in Paris since 2007,
will assume his new position at MoMA in January 2013.
Mr. Bajac will succeed Peter Galassi, who retired in 2011
after a 30-year career at MoMA. In his new role, he will
lead the Photography Department in organizing exhibitions,
overseeing acquisitions, and the presentation of its
world-renowned collection of some 30,000 photographs
spanning the history of the medium from its origins in the
19th century to the present.
Mr. Bajac began his career as Curator of Photography at the
Musée d'Orsay from 1995 to 2003, joined the Centre Pompidou
as Curator of Photography in 2003, and was promoted to Chief
Curator in 2007. His scholarly research, development of a
wide range of photography exhibitions, and authorship of
numerous publications have addressed many important aspects
of the history of the medium, ranging from a fresh look at
19th century masters to new work by contemporary
photographers.
Mr. Lowry says: "Quentin's superb accomplishments in Paris
over the past 17 years, at the Musée d'Orsay and the Centre
Pompidou, have brought significant attention to the
importance of photography in art history and as a critical
component of contemporary practice."
"Being given the opportunity to shape the history of
photography as presented by The Museum of Modern Art is a
great honor and responsibility at a fantastic moment of
evolution for the medium," says Mr. Bajac. "It is with great
pride and joy that I look forward to working with the staff
and the wonderful collection at MoMA." |