Event Exhibits and Tours "Not an Ostrich" and Other Images from America's Library

A major exhibition organized by the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles and drawn from the photo collections of the Library of Congress, "Not an Ostrich" presents a taste of this institution’s spectacular holdings of more than 14 million photographs. Selected images reproduced for this exhibition were made between 1839 and today. They trace the evolution of photography, from daguerreotypes and other early processes to contemporary digital technology.

Organized into distinct sections, "Not an Ostrich" captures the great range of subjects available in the Library’s photographic collections, including portraits, the arts, sports, leisure, political and social issues, icons, panoramas, and business and science. Other sections highlight the distinct American visions from the archives of Carol M. Highsmith, Camilo José Vergara, and the Detroit Publishing Company.

"Not an Ostrich" includes famous pictures, famous subjects, and famous photographers. Many of the images capture glorious moments in our history, some are entertaining or even absurd, and others are deeply troubling. Some photos will give you new perspectives on celebrated places, faces, and events, while still others will literally open your eyes to unfamiliar moments in American culture and history.