Fujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm sponsors exhibition of legendary photographer Mick Rock’s most iconic work

Fujifilm is to be the official sponsor of legendary music photographer Mick Rock’s major new exhibition, ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Icons: The Photography of Mick Rock’. The exhibition will have its world premiere at the Urbis, Manchester, from 29 September 2005, running until 8 January 2006, and will present the artist’s most iconic portraiture, along with some of his contemporary work, such as Razorlight, Kasabian and The Killers.

The Urbis exhibition will showcase more than 150 images, chronicling intimate moments with some of the world’s greatest rock legends and will include some rare and previously unseen material. Full details can be found at www.urbis.org.uk.

Rock’s eye for liberating the glamour and honesty of his subjects has meant that his portfolio is as relevant today as it was more than 25 years ago. His work has captured the decadence of glam rock, personified by his mesmerizing images of Iggy Pop, Queen, David Bowie, Blondie, Lou Reed and the raw power of the punk era documented in his photographs of The Sex Pistols and The Ramones.

Events during the exhibition
During the exhibition, Fujifilm will run a competition allowing visitors the chance to win an exclusive, limited edition signed ‘Rip Art’ print of one of Mick Rock’s most memorable images. This will run alongside a series of specially programmed events including ‘An evening with Mick Rock’ (Thursday 29 September, 6.30-8.00pm) where Rock will answer questions, in conjunction with journalist Chris Sullivan, about his photography work, equipment used and career. Rock’s frank and upfront approach will mean that fans will have the chance to ask questions about the inception of his most prolific work, as well as finding out what it’s like to work with the man himself. Rock will also host a ‘Photography Masterclass’ in which he will offer advice and tips on capturing the best shots, as well as techniques for creating vivid and inspiring images.  Full details about the Mick Rock events are listed at www.urbis.org.uk.

Furthermore, the event will showcase a ‘24 Hours in the Life of Mick Rock’ mini-exhibition, where the camera lens is turned on Rock and his world for a day. All the images included in this mini-exhibition were taken by Rock’s family and colleagues using the FinePix F10 Zoom - Fujifilm’s ‘24-hour camera’ (http://wwwfujifilm.co.uk/presscentre/imagebank/index.php?linkedimages_id=1252) . Fujifilm’s ground-breaking FinePix F10 Zoom is Rock’s preferred digital compact due to its high sensitivity and extended battery life - as highlighted in Fujifilm’s recent advertising campaign.  The FinePix F10 Zoom will be the official camera of the exhibition.

Mick Rock said, “The F10 delivers.  Fujifilm has created a compact digital camera whose resolution, colour definition and high sensitivity allow me to grab great quality images on the move that hold their own alongside pictures in my portfolio taken on professional spec SLR and wide format cameras. I use it all the time now, for fun, for art and for money. It’s my new best pal…”

Will Rolls, marketing manager, Fujifilm Digital, said, “It seems a little unusual for a camera company to claim that their products are suited to a rock music lifestyle, but that’s just what our new cameras are. The FinePix F10 Zoom is able to take superb flash-free shots in low light, and its 500-shot battery life suits people who have more exciting things to do than remember to recharge their camera every night. Nobody better embodies rock music and photography than Mick Rock, and for this reason we are overjoyed to be working with him.”