FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Crocker Presents
David Hockney’s Secret Knowledge

Controversial Documentary Examines Great Masters’ Use of Cameras

Sacramento , Calif. – September 13, 2004 – The Crocker Art Museum will present three screenings in October of the controversial documentary, Secret Knowledge by noted artist and art critic David Hockney. The screenings will be followed by a brief lecture and question-and-answer period by curatorial staff and professors from UC Davis and CSU Sacramento.

The BBC documentary lays out the theory developed in Hockney’s book by the same title in which he speculates that from the 1430s onward, many major artists secretly used optical devices to make their masterpieces. Hockney maintains that the Old Masters were using simple cameras – the camera lucida, camera obscura and convex mirror – to capture realistic images. During the film, Hockney visits Florence , Bruges and Ghent , examining paintings by Vermeer, Caravaggio, Velázquez among others. He then replicates the lost techniques of the Old Masters. The film has not been rated by the Motion Picture Association of America and runs 72 minutes.

Following each screening, an art scholar will defend or denounce Hockney’s theory and take questions from the audience. Discussion leaders include David Hollowell, Professor of Art, UC Davis; Catherine Turrill, Ph.D., Art Department Chair, CSU Sacramento; Nigel Poor, Assistant Professor of Photography, CSU Sacramento; Diana Daniels, Assistant Curator, Crocker Art Museum .

The film screenings will be held on October 2 at 1 PM , October 23 at 1 PM , and October 24 at NOON . The program is free with admission and seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis. A special members-only screening with be held on October 9 at 1 PM. Crocker members should RSVP to the Museum at (916) 264-2692. For more information call (916) 264-5423 or visit www.crockerartmuseum.org.

# # #

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of Californian, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Sunday; Thursday until 9 p.m. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 264-5423 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

# # #

Media Contact: LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti
Media: (916) 264-1963
Mobile : (916) 213-9402
Public: (916) 264-5423
216 O Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.crockerartmuseum.org