Staking Claim: A California Invitational, was the second exhibition in MOPA’s triennial series focusing on California photographers, which began in 2010. The exhibition presented the work of 16 artists who share a commitment to a global dialogue happening within the medium of photography. Staking Claim invites us to experience the medium in new ways—at a pivotal time when traditional darkrooms have become the exception, and digital distribution of images is emerging as a new norm.

This important intersection in the history of photography acts as a middle ground between darkroom and digital, chemicals and pixels, and is evident in the range of methodologies and processes presented in Staking Claim. While the number of artists who continue to work with the printed image remains steadfast, we are witnessing many types of chemicals, film, and paper coming to the end of production. As a result, photographers have embraced unconventional treatments and new ideas about how to work with the changing nature of the photographic process.

Taken as a whole, the exhibition charts new territory through each artist’s unique perspective and vision, exhibiting images that explore a variety of practices, including those that are intentionally destructive and others that are directly rooted in the traditions of photography. Their collective vision is a vivid suggestion for the potential and place for photography in a time of technological change and bold experimentation.

Artists included in the exhibition: Susan Burnstine, Eric William Carroll, John Chiara, Chris Engman, Robbert Flick, Todd Hido, Siri Kaur, Mona Kuhn, Matt Lipps, David Maisel, Klea McKenna, Doug Rickard, Mark Ruwedel, Paul Schiek, and Christina Seely