"Bollywood Dreams – Photographs by Jonathan Torgovnik"
2003-05-22 until 2003-07-05
Stephen Cohen Gallery
Los Angeles, CA, USA United States of America

The series of photographs "Bollywood Dreams," by award wining photographer Jonathan Torgovnik documents the phenomenon of India’s film industry – affectionately known around the world as Bollywood. Torgovnik first went to India in 1992, and since 1997 he has traveled extensively throughout the country, capturing the entire spectrum of Bollywood. The films themselves are full of color, light and happy endings, yet Togovnik’s photographs capture the radiance and beauty of a crumpled ticket stub, a ripped movie poster, and a cluttered cinema floor, alike. Phaidon Press will release the book "Bollywood Dreams," this Spring. Books will be available at the opening and during the exhibition.

Born in 1969 in Tel Aviv, Jonathan Torgovnik lived in Israel until his early 20’s. He began his career as a combat photographer in the Israeli army. "The army was my real school of photography. It was very unorganized. They just told me to go out there and shoot, but instead of a gun, I h ad a camera." During this time, and while he was still a teenager – Torgovnik’s press pool of images were published around the world.

In addition to Bollywood, Torgovnik has completed several long-term documentary projects, and his photographs have appeared in Newsweek, Smithsonian, Vanity Fair, Sunday Times Magazine (London,) The Telegraph Magazine, (London,) Paris Match, Stern, and other publications. His work is in the permanent collection of several major museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts (Houston,) The Jewish Museum, (New York,) and The Ellis Island Immigration Museum. He is the recipient of many photo awards.

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