Shoot, Wait, Enjoy: AIGA Polaroid Scavenger Hunt

Since it was announced earlier this year that Polaroid film will no longer be produced, parting with Polaroid has sent many fans of the iconic instant film and camera into mourning. But this weekend Polaroid purists will gather to celebrate this retro art form during the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts’ Polaroid scavenger hunt from 1 to 5 pm.

During the event teams of five will be given a camera and Polaroid film and then disperse to visit 10 locations around Austin to capture that location on film. At the end of the hunt the teams will submit their best photo for each destination. Those photos will then be put on display during a gallery show Saturday evening at the Lewis Carnegie studio from 7 to 10 pm. The gallery show is free but registration to participate in the scavenger hunt is $30 for AIGA members, $45 for non-members, $15 for student members and $25 for student non-members.

A collection of the photos taken during the scavenger hunt will be published in book form in December and will be available to purchase at AIGAaustin.com.

Natalie Gray of AIGA Austin said the event is a good way to celebrate this modern icon and photograph Austin landmarks in a way that may never be captured again.
“Polaroid instant film creates unique colors and effects that photographers have exploited and families have been amused with,” she said. “It is a tangible, hands-on material, which is desirable because our environment is inundated with the development of screen interaction everything products. It is a classic pen versus mouse analogy.”