Introduced in 1947, the Polaroid camera delivered push-button magic and instant gratification. Hold, frame, squeeze, and, ssszzzzttt, out the film slid, as if the camera were sticking out its tongue. Then the fun part: the image would slowly rise to life in the frame, as if conjured from some milky void. Polaroids found a place in fashion, family albums, and crime-scene forensics, but also became serious photography’s playful sidekick. A new exhibition features an array of Polaroidiana and hundreds of photos from artists such as Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Chuck Close. It may make you oil up that old SX-70 and give it another go. —J.W.

Note: This exhibition will be closed for a mid-show re-installation between February 24 and March 8, 2020.