The holidays are over…2014 is here. This Saturday, January 11th will be one of the busiest days of the year for the Los Angeles art community. Many galleries will re-open and offer art receptions…but with so much to choose from…how will you spend your Saturday night?

POW-MerryKarnowsky-VivianMaierWell, here’s my Pick of the Week! I was able to sneak a peek at Merry Karnowsky’s newest offering…”Vivian Maier: A Life Discovered” featuring one of my all time favorite photographers. Hosted by actor, Tim Roth, this vast compilation of photographs hails from the Maloof Collection. John Maloof, the man who brought Maier’s work back to life will be in attendance. BE SURE TO RSVP…see below for info.

A prolific photographer, Vivian Maier never achieved recognition during her lifetime. In fact, like many artists she died penniless. I have written about her work before.

When I first heard Maier’s story, I was profoundly moved. As I previewd this exhibit, I will admit, her work still stirs up strong emotions. Her work is so honest. She captured incredible off-the-cuff moments in time. Everyday moments that we all share.

POW-MerryKarnowskyVivianMaierMaier documented bustling cities and shot more than 2,000 rolls of film throughout her life. Her subjects included images of architecture, street scenes, and everyday people living their lives. Maier traveled to cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and the American Southwest, all the while workiing as a nanny to support herself while she pursued her passion.

Her adventures took her to far off places like Manila, Bangkok, Beijing, Egypt, and Italy. That alone spotlights what a determined and strong woman she was living in that time.

She was a private person who kept most of her work hidden. On her days off from taking care of children she would seek out new images to photograph. Maier also created a series of homemade documentary films and audio recordings that have yet to be released to the public.

LatVivianMaier3er in life Vivian Maier would fall on hard times, yet was financially helped by three children that she had taken care of as a nanny. As if she were their own mother, they stepped up and pooled their money and paid for her apartment. Maier would leave behind a body of work comprising over 150,000 negatives.

Vivian Maier passed away at 83 years old in 2009, never knowing what an impact her work would make on today’s art world.

The prints in the Karnowsky exhibition will consist of 100 plus pieces including silver gelatin prints in limited edition of 15, as well as 40 plus one-of-a-kind vintage prints, developed by Maier during her lifetime.

TVivianMaier4he book Vivian Maier: Street Photographer published by Powerhouse Books will also be available during the exhibition, and a feature-length documentary film about Maier and Maloof’s discovery of her work, titled Finding Vivian Maier, is scheduled for release in 2012. The opening reception at Merry Karnowsky Gallery will be filmed as part of the documentary film.

YOU MUST RSVP: RSVP@MKGALLERY.COM

The opening reception takes place on Saturday January 11th from 8:00 pm till 11:00 pm at Merry Karnowsky Gallery located at 170 S. La Brea Ave., LA 90036; 323.933.4408; www.mkgallery.comwww.vivianmaier.com