When Impossible embarked on its mission to save analog instant photography from extinction, people worldwide were facing the extinction of their beloved film and cameras. But Impossible faced all challenges and developmental problems and has produced new instant films. The new portrait series “Facing the Impossible” celebrates this fact.

Since the introduction of the first Polaroid cameras in 1948, portraits have been an extremely popular and practical use of analog instant film. Not only did Andy Warhol, Robert Mappelthorpe, Chuck Close and Lucas Samaras portray themselves and their contemporaries, but modeling agencies, artists, families, party people, parents and pet owners also shoot the subjects of their interest with a Polaroid camera. The directness and instant-ness of analog instant film in portrait photography is an easy metaphor for the instant and direct connection that human beings discover every single day – both with the people around them as well as with themselves.

“Facing the Impossible” interprets these artistic, historic, social and connective elements of the “Portrait” theme. Contemporary Photographers are dealing with the topic, working on the latest instant film materials developed by Impossible.

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For an exclusive Impossible event within the frame of Photokina 2010, several selected artists have been supplied with the latest Silver and Color Shade test film versions - their mission was to shoot portraits of all kinds. This pop-up exhibition was the kick-off event of the "Facing the Impossible" portrait series that was lateron extended and exhibited at the Impossible Project Space NYC.