On view from June 28, 2025, to June 21, 2026, at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Face Value: Celebrity Press Photography offers a compelling exploration of the mechanisms behind celebrity image-making in the pre-digital era. The exhibition delves into the intricate processes employed by 20th-century Hollywood studios to craft and disseminate the glamorous personas of their contracted actors, long before the advent of digital editing tools and social media platforms.
Drawing from MoMA’s extensive film stills collection, the exhibition showcases a diverse array of photographs, some untouched and others bearing visible signs of manual alterations. Techniques such as silhouetting, in-painting, masking, sectioning, and collage were meticulously applied not only to images of entertainers but also to those of sports figures, socialites, and politicians. These methods highlight the labor-intensive efforts invested in constructing idealized public images and underscore the stylized motifs and gender stereotypes prevalent within the studio system.
The exhibition also pays homage to Iris Barry, MoMA’s founding film curator, whose dedication to building an archive of motion picture history led to the acquisition of editorial archives from leading fan magazines like Photoplay (1911–80) and Dell (1921–76). This archival foundation enriches the exhibition, providing context and depth to the visual narratives on display.
Featuring works by over 60 photographers and filmmakers, including studio staffers and renowned artists like Andy Warhol, Face Value invites visitors to critically examine the constructed nature of celebrity and the historical practices that shaped public perception. By presenting these images within the broader context of media manipulation and cultural production, the exhibition offers a nuanced perspective on the origins of celebrity culture and its enduring impact on contemporary society.
Organized by Ron Magliozzi, Curator, with Katie Trainor, Senior Collections Manager, and Cara Shatzman, Collection Specialist in the Department of Film, Face Value stands as a testament to MoMA’s commitment to exploring the intersections of art, media, and cultural history. The exhibition not only illuminates the past but also prompts reflection on the ongoing evolution of image-making and celebrity in the digital age.
See show details on the MoMA website: https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5822
