Filed under: Good Looks, Sharpshooter | Tags: american photography, richard avedon, robert frank, sf moma
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MoMA) is currently exhibiting the enrapturing work of American fashion photographer Richard Avedon. Admittedly, I tend to be skeptical of photography as a medium out of being subjected to the mediocre portfolios of boring self-proclaimed “photographers” who applaud recycled and uninspired angles and lighting. I found the accompanying Robert Frank exhibit rather predictable in its cliche depiction of subjects of color. The select few photographs featuring people of color capture a victimizing despair that is often mistaken for “the entire story” or rather “the story worth telling” in American photography. There’s only so many shots of American flags juxtaposed against backdrops of working class women with vacant and hungry eyes I can digest before regurgitating. While I understand Frank’s work to be “revolutionary” within the context of his time, I question whether historical controversy alone warrants the present day praise he receives. As is true today, photographer’s with less provocative appeal and social capital (who innovate the medium well beyond Frank’s capacity) go unrecognized due to limited exposure. I digress! In stark contrast, Richard Avedon is refreshingly straight forward. Rather than pretend to archive the nuances of American life (read: the oppressed), he unabashedly photographs the American elite. Although his subjects remain obvious (read: the establishment), the photography itself creates layers of complexity and meaning. This says it best: “Whether photographing politicians, artists, writers, fashion models, or movie stars, Richard Avedon revolutionized the genre of portraiture. He rejected conventional stiff-and-staid poses and instead captured both motion and emotion in the faces of his subjects, often encapsulating their intrigue in a single charged moment.” (SFMOMA website). Avedon embodies “complex simplicity” in his ability to expose subtlety in seemingly mundane black and white portraits. It is for these reasons that Avedon’s work has restored my faith in the medium of photography. For those of you who live in the Bay Area, go check out the only U.S. venue for this in-depth retrospective exhibit spanning “his earliest street scenes to his breakthrough 1950s Paris fashion pictures and the iconic celebrity portraits that brought him world renown”. Check out the SF MOMA website for pricing and hours. Let’s enjoy these shots:
Marilyn Monroe, actor, New York, May 6, 1957
Self-portrait, photographer, Provo, Utah, August 20, 1980
Björk, musician, New York, June 2, 2004
Dovima with Elephants, Evening Dress by Dior, Cirque d’Hiver, Paris, 1955
Malcolm-X, black nationalist leader, New York, 1963
Support SF MoMA. Visit Richard Avedon’s Website. Research Robert Frank. Leave a comment!
Rarely do we recognize the efforts of those working behind-the-scenes. The dedicated individuals who document our vibrant culture(s) and make leaving a powerful legacy possible. To initiate this process of paying respect to these crucial observers, creators, and artists in their own right, I am kicking off a new blog section called “Sharpshooters” (which is simply a cute way of saying “photographer”). I’ll be sure to include more than photographers as this section progresses but for now, let’s take a closer look at the men and women behind the lens. After all, it is through their eyes that we come to understand our world. It makes sense then that Buggin’ Out’s very first sharpshooter is NYC based photographer TONE. If you keep up with this blog, you’ll quickly identify his name and work as I have posted countless flicks from his impressive and ever-growing portfolio. A household name in some of my favorite NYC circles, TONE is notorious for capturing everything from the raw energy of NYC nightlife to the often overlooked talent of teenage artists, graffiti writers and emcees at New Design High School. He is the resident photographer for the beautiful hot-messery that goes down every Monday @ Sway. Additionally, he runs The New Pop: New York’s Online Video Magazine with sharpshooter partner-in-crime Trevz that includes community profiles, photo documentary series, viral ads, and raw & gritty footage from the livest parties and events popping off in NYC. Fortunately for us, TONE recently revelead his new website that makes viewing his photos easy, intuitive and fun (it doesn’t hurt that the layout is super CLEAN!). Beyond slideshows, you can check out online blurbs or photo books that he puts together like THIS ONE that showcase some of his best work. Let’s see the world through his eyes, peep this:
…and that’s just a taste! I recommend you attend some of these events to experience the untamed energy he captures. As someone who has partaken in the festivities, I can attest to the simple logistical difficulties of having a camera in such an intimate and crowded space. Nevermind orchestrating interesting compositions and shots that make debaucherous nights look somewhat photogenic. It helps that TONE works with the personalities in the room (and it doesn’t hurt that many of his subjects are extremely good looking, ha. I know it’s what we’re all thinking). That ends our very first “sharpshooters” exclusive and who better to kick things off than TONE? Please, please, please follow the links to check out his work in depth. Support good shit, HOLLA!
