The Smithsonian Photography Initiative has launched 'click! photography changes everything,' an interdisciplinary, Web-based forum at www.click.si.edu. The goal of 'click!' is to stimulate an unprecedented dialogue about the ways photography enables people to document and actively interact with the world.

During the first phase of 'click!,' SPI staff and guest curator Marvin Heiferman invite as many as 100 project contributors to investigate the ways in which photography has changed the history, progress and practice of a broad spectrum of disciplines—from anthropology to astrophysics, from media to medicine, from philosophy to sports. Their contributions will serve as a springboard for the second phase, which launches in fall 2008 and will include new, interactive options for public participation.

At this transitional moment—as digital technology is altering the form, content and transmission of camera imagery—'click! photography changes everything' provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the history, spread, practice and power of photography. Organized thematically, 'click! photography changes everything' is an innovative and ongoing project that explores how profoundly photographic images shape lives.

Written contributions and images submitted by project participants are organized into six categories: 'Who We Are,' 'Where We Go,' 'What We See,' 'What We Want,' 'What We Do' and 'What We Remember.'

www.click.si.edu launches with 20 commentaries that include contributions by the following:

• David Friend, director of creative development for Vanity Fair, who writes about 9/11


• Jeff Williams, collections manager in the Division of Fishes at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, who writes about how photography enables the documentation of new fish species


• Philippe Kahn, CEO of Fullpower Technologies, who writes about his invention of the first camera phone


• Amy Henderson, cultural historian at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, who writes about photography and celebrity endorsements/marketing

The second phase of 'click!' invites the public to actively participate in a dialog about the role photographic images have played in history and their everyday lives. Visitors to the 'click!' Web site will have the opportunity to submit photos and commentaries in relation to the six 'click!' themes. Some public submissions may be included in future print and online publications and public programs. This phase of the Web site dramatically alters the traditional one-way, curator-to-visitor dynamic.

Smithsonian Photography Initiative History
Established in 2001, the Smithsonian Photography Initiative is Web-based and dedicated to a program of interactive exhibitions, publications and educational activities via its Web site, www.photography.si.edu. SPI exists to broaden public understanding and appreciation of photography at the Smithsonian; enhance the Smithsonian's public programming and educational outreach efforts in photography; and use innovative technologies to create new opportunities for research and scholarship about the cultural impact of photographs.

SPI launched its Web site in August 2006, presenting selections from the art, history and science collections of the Institution's 19 museums, nine research centers and the National Zoo. Organized by museum and discipline, the Smithsonian's collections of photographs document the marvelous and the mundane, the historic and everyday. A selection of nearly 2,500 of these images is now available from the SPI Web site. In its first year, it received favorable press and won several awards, including the Interactive Design Award (Applied Arts Magazine, January 2007); SXSW Web Award, art category (March 2007); and Webby, cultural institution (May 2007).

SPI relies entirely upon private sector funds and, therefore, seeks support from private individuals, foundation grants and corporate partnerships to realize its goals. Current support for ongoing projects and operating expenses has been provided by individuals and foundations, including the Comer Foundation, Henry Luce Foundation, PhotoWings and Trellis Fund. Night Kitchen Interactive of Philadelphia is SPI's Web design firm for www.click.si.edu.

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