The Bookshop at The Photographers’ Gallery in London is celebrating one of the most iconic products of the twentieth century, the Polaroid, by displaying work by a number of renowned photographers who have taken Polaroid photographs, and also plans to sell a new Polaroid format film starting early 2010.The last instant film manufactured by Polaroid was produced in 2008, with an expiry date of October 2009. To mark its expiration, national newspaper The Observer gave eight leading contemporary photographers Polaroid film and cameras for a day - Harry Borden (USA, b.1965), Nan Goldin (USA, b.1953), Tom Hunter (UK, b.1965), Mary McCartney (UK, b.1969), Martin Parr (UK, b.1952), Rankin (UK, b.1966), Lord Snowdon (UK, b.1930) and Sam Taylor-Wood (UK, b.1967). The resulting images are on display at The Photographers’ Gallery in London, 16 – 18 Ramillies St, W1, until 31 January 2010. Some of these unique one-off prints are available to purchase from Print Sales at The Photographers’ Gallery..Also, the Photographers’ Gallery Bookshop promises to be one of the first places in the world to sell the new Polaroid format instant film developed within the framework of The Impossible Project, from early 2010.

Press Release

The Photographers’ Gallery

Bookshop Exhibition: The Polaroid Project
Exhibition dates: Until 31 January 2010
Location: Bookshop at The Photographers’ Gallery, 16 – 18 Ramillies St, W1

The Bookshop at The Photographers’ Gallery is celebrating one of the most iconic products of the twentieth century, the Polaroid, by displaying work by a number of renowned photographers who have taken Polaroid photographs.

The last instant film manufactured by Polaroid was produced in 2008, with an expiry date of October 2009. To mark its expiration, national newspaper The Observer gave eight leading contemporary photographers Polaroid film and cameras for a day - Harry Borden (USA, b.1965), Nan Goldin (USA, b.1953), Tom Hunter (UK, b.1965), Mary McCartney (UK, b.1969), Martin Parr (UK, b.1952), Rankin (UK, b.1966), Lord Snowdon (UK, b.1930) and Sam Taylor-Wood (UK, b.1967).

The resulting images, exhibited in the Bookshop, have the intimate immediacy that the Polaroid medium is so loved for and are unique one-off prints, some of which are available to purchase from Print Sales at The Photographers’ Gallery. This is the only time these specially commissioned Polaroids have been seen outside of the pages of The Observer.

The Photographers’ Gallery Bookshop is one of the few remaining places selling a wide range of Polaroid products and also provided the film for The Polaroid Project. The remaining Polaroid stock has also been repackaged in new boxes designed by Paul Giambarda, the designer responsible for the original distinctive Polaroid banding, which will be sold alongside a repackaged vintage camera in the Bookshop.

However this does not signify the end of the story. In early 2010 a group of dedicated Polaroid enthusiasts, called The Impossible Project, plan to manufacture new Polaroid format film. As a result of this, Polaroid will begin to manufacture its instant cameras again.

The Photographers’ Gallery Bookshop will be one of the first places in the world to sell this new film, helping to ensure this beloved, instant photography remains available for future generations. In the meantime The Polaroid Project exhibition acts as a reminder of the unique nature of Polaroid film.

Photo Credit: Mary McCartney, STELLA, 2009 © Mary McCartney

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