2026-05-14 Freeze Frame

In the former building known as the Prison and Court of Appeal of Porto, now sits the CPF - Centro Português de Fotográfia. This building houses an impressive amount of photographic equipment, significant to Portugal as well as internationally, along with several exhibits. The exhibit we saw today was the work of Vivian Maeir. This exhibition provides the opportunity to see 140 images by Vivian Maier (1926-2009), a nanny who dedicated decades to photography, "mainly capturing the energy of the streets of major American cities". After achallenging childhood, as an adult she found steady work asa nanny, gradually turning a simple hoppy into a passion, never working professionally or selling her work. Her vast photographic archive, comprising more than 120,000 negatives, prints, films, and recordings, only became public when the lockers that belonged to her were auctioned off after being considered abandoned due to non-payment. "Today, Maier is recognized as one of the most unique voices in photography, a legacy all the more surprising as it was built on the fringes of any recognition during her lifetime."

To pay homage to the fact these works were found in a storage locker, some of the displays were set in moving boxes.  It was quite clever.  Her photos are mostly from Chicago and New York and I appreciate the Hull House photos she had taken. Hull House has a fondness in my heart and if you want to read more about it and Jane Addams, you can check this out Hull House Museum. She captured everyday life in, at times, poignant images. Her self-portraits were whimsical and unique.

The renovated building retained much of the character of the original structure, with tall arched ceilings, heavy masonry floors and walls, and barred windows. The central atrium and skylight was quite a space. There were three rooms for the exhibit and they were large, with amazing architecture. JR for scale.

This was the central atrium where the three rooms intersect.  Stacey made a video of the clouds rolling buy. The upper floors contained hundreds of cameras of all types and eras, a comprehensive collection that has to rival collections anywhere.

A view from the windows

They have the most interesting exhibit of camaras of all types.

Our visit was followed by a meandering walk through parks and plazas, including a stop at a cervejaria for lunch.

FC Porto won the division the other week, so they were setting up for a BIG party in the Praça.