Melanie, our friend Val & her daughter Rachel, Travis & I went to see the exhibit of Annie Liebowitz' photos that is now showing at the Seattle Art Museum. With the exception of Rachel, these are the people I was with when I saw Joni for the first time at the Gorge in 1998. Catherine Turley posted about this a while ago (Hi Catherine!) and she was right. Annie's photo of Joni in this exhibit is stunning. Travis was watching me without my knowing it when I discovered the picture and he said my mouth fell open & my face lit up. Joni looks like some kind of pagan goddess or fairy or one of Tolkien's elves in this photo. It looks like it was taken on the grounds of her home in Bel Air. She is sitting on the edge of a carved stone or concrete fountain or pool. There is lush green foliage all around her. She is wearing a loose brown woven-looking garment with her hair hanging very naturally around her face. She is looking off to her right, away from the camera. Very little if any makeup. Holding a cigarette, of course. The effect of the picture is sad, haunting and yet comforting all at the same time. Pretty much like her music. Annie seemed to capture her essence very well in this photo. It is very beautiful and Joni's face is amazing and fascinating to look at.
This exhibit really captured the range of Annie's work. I was half expecting Rolling Stone covers & the like. But a large part of this exhibit, which is all photos of women, were photos of unknowns. Many of them were very moving. All of them were interesting in one way or another. But I wish you could all see that picture of Joni! Mark E.
