The new exhibition showcases the work of renowned photographer Frans Lanting
Developed in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund and the Smithsonian Institution, and organized and traveled by the National Geographic Society, “Into Africa” is an exhibition that features the work of one of National Geographic’s most prolific and visionary nature photographers, Frans Lanting.
“Into Africa” opens at The Frank art gallery in Pembroke Pines with a reception at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 24. Free and open to the public, the reception also features a special performance by students of the flagship ‘Rhythms of Africa’ program at West Broward High School, led by musician and director Willie Stewart.
“Into Africa” is on display at The Frank through August 10. Admission is $5 per person Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The admission cost is waived for special events, lectures and workshops.
“Into Africa” takes visitors on a grand tour through the wonders of African landscapes as seen through Lanting’s lens. His images and stories create an enduring vision of the continent and demonstrate what is at stake for its wildlife and wild places.
Stunning videos shot and produced by Lanting’s wife, videographer and partner Chris Eckstrom, accompany the 70 images that were selected for this exhibition. The videos provide in-depth local stories about chimpanzees in Senegal and the parade of animals that come to a water hole in Namibia. The exhibition shares untold stories of exploration from Lanting and Eckstrom’s fieldwork in Africa.
“For more than 130 years, the National Geographic Society has been funding research and telling stories about the vast continent of Africa, its diverse geography, cultures and vital ecosystems,” said Kathryn Keane, vice president of public programming at the National Geographic Society. “Frans Lanting is a major part of this legacy, and this exhibition celebrates more than three decades of his extraordinary work in more than a dozen countries in Africa.”
Upon entering the exhibition, visitors will be introduced to Lanting through a large scale National Geographic map detailing his many assignment locations across Africa’s diverse habitats. Large photographic prints, video installations and personal accounts will guide visitors through five thematic sections: “The Infinite Tapestry” (tropical forests), “The Gift of Water” (wetlands and rivers), “Primeval Plains” (grasslands), “Gondwana’s Ark” (Madagascar) and “Sands of Time” (deserts). Visitors will leave the exhibition with a sense of what it is like to be on assignment with a National Geographic photographer.
“It is an honor to be partnering with the National Geographic Society on this transformational exhibition and showcase the brilliant photography of Frans Lanting,” said Joshua Carden, chief curator of The Frank. “Visitors will be immersed in a journey throughout Africa. It’s a powerful exhibition that we are very excited to share with our community.”
In The Frank’s Third Space Gallery, which specifically focuses on supporting non-profit organizations, educational partners, underrepresented populations and community advocacy groups, artwork by the art of URGENT Inc., a Miami-based non-profit youth and community development organization dedicated to empowering young minds to transform their communities through visual arts, poetry, and performance, will be on display beginning May 24 through June 29. The opening reception for this exhibition is Friday, May 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. and is free open to the public. Also on display in the Third Space gallery from July 6 through August 10 will be photographs of Africa by international nature photographer and researcher, Kirsten Hines.
As part of “Into Africa,” The Frank also will offer free fun, engaging and educational workshops, lectures and events for children and adults. For more information, visit https://www.thefrankgallery.
The Frank is located in the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines at 601 City Center Way. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about The Frank, call 954.392.2120, email thefrank@ppines.com or visit thefrankgallery.org. Follow The Frank on Facebook and Instagram at The Frank Pembroke Pines.
About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is an impact-driven global nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. Since 1888, National Geographic has been pushing the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas to increase understanding of our world and generate solutions for a healthy, more sustainable future for generations to come. Our ultimate vision: a planet in balance. To learn more about the Society and its programs, visit https://www.
About Frans Lanting
Frans Lanting has been hailed as one of the great photographers of our time. His influential work appears in publications and exhibitions around the world and his fine art prints are represented in many public and private collections. Lanting and his partner, Chris Eckstrom, promote knowledge about earth’s natural history through images and ideas that convey a passion for nature and a sense of wonder—and concern—about our living planet. Through their work and alliances, they help create leverage for conservation efforts both local and global. To learn more, visit www.lanting.com.
About The Frank
The Frank is a two-story art gallery named after Pembroke Pines Mayor Frank C. Ortis for his decades-long commitment to the cultural arts. The Frank art gallery, located in the Charles F. Dodge City Center, showcases multi-disciplinary inclusive exhibitions to foster connections, initiate cultural change and promote innovation. The gallery’s exhibition and learning space serves as a site of convergence for artists, performers, thought leaders and community members to create partnerships for social engagement, leveraging the power of the arts to create a sense of place.
The Frank is located at 601 City Center Way Pembroke Pines, FL 33025. Stay connected and follow The Frank on Facebook and Instagram at The Frank Pembroke Pines. For more information, call 954.392.2120 or email: thefrank@ppines.com.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission charges are subject to change during special events. Times and dates for special events will be announced.
Funding for this organization is provided in part by Broward County Cultural Division, Culture Builds Florida, Hello Sunny-Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center and Visitors Bureau and National Endowment for the Arts.
