portraying "the soul" of the American west
"portraying the soul of the American West" was what he said he was attempting to do. Which, of course, he never did.
Yes, you're not alone. Avedon faced intense criticism from all sides over these photos, perhaps because they didn't meet their brief or capture souls, and hey, what's a Manhattan aesthete doing here? But they are spectacular pictures none the less.I too find the idea of some hardened fashion photographer who's born, raised and lived his whole life in New York doing a project portraying "the soul" of the American west laughably absurd, at best, and sneering, mean spirited and cynical at worst..
Yes, you're not alone. Avedon faced intense criticism from all sides over these photos, perhaps because they didn't meet their brief or capture souls, and hey, what's a Manhattan aesthete doing here? But they are spectacular pictures none the less.
That would be true if "portraying the soul of the American West" was what he said he was attempting to do. Which, of course, he never did.
What he did say is this : "This is a fictional West. I don't think the West of these portraits is any more conclusive than the West of John Wayne."
It's mostly possible that Avedon did not know exactly what he was after when beginning this series, and that, as is often the case — Robert Frank's The Americans being a good case in point —, he figured out different paths as things went along, and as he was receiving proofs. We must remember that the project took seven years, in which Avedon did 752 sittings, exposed 17,000 sheets of film, most of which he destroyed (only 123 were left).
Was that what he was doing? Seems to me he was essentially like a tourist taking pictures of interesting things - except his photos were of "characters". He didn't photograph them in situ. He posed them in front of a white backdrop. I don't see the soul of anything coming across there - just the exposed appearance of those individuals he selected. More attitude than soul.
so, just more commercial work?
I'm starting to agree. I think these pictures show a total lack of sympathy or empathy. Indeed they seem intended, consciously or unconsciously, to make the viewer feel "superior."As French sociologist and critic Jean Baudrillard might have put it, the rich like pictures of the poor to show them how far they've come.What is he trying to say?
I just can't escape the feeling that these photos are a New Yorker, not understanding the West, maybe not wanting to , not even trying to, maybe even subtly, subconsciously denigrating the west.
They feel cold and mean. How many of the subjects are amputated at a joint? Even the portrait on the cover has the subjects hands cut off at the wrists.
I'm starting to agree. I think these pictures show a total lack of sympathy or empathy. Indeed they seem intended, consciously or unconsciously, to make the viewer feel "superior."As French sociologist and critic Jean Baudrillard might have put it, the rich like pictures of the poor to show them how far they've come.
But you will admit that they capture your attention and demand intensive scrutiny. And that is a major accomplishment.
I'm starting to agree. I think these pictures show a total lack of sympathy or empathy. Indeed they seem intended, consciously or unconsciously, to make the viewer feel "superior."
Let’s face it… who really care what Drew, APUG, or Photrio think. Avendon certainly doesn’t. He’s made his mark while others only blow smoke about the mark they say they made.
I'm done with this thread.
who really care what Drew, APUG, or Photrio think. Avendon certainly doesn’t.
I think we’re okay.
Avendon has made his mark in history while the rest simply flap their gums.
So the upshot is it's pointless to talk about anyone who has "made his mar" unless you yourself have made your mark? So the vast vast vast majority of people should never express any opinion about .... anything? That's a swell educational model.
Feel free to ignore me because what do I know?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?