New York is one of the most fascinating and best known cities in the world, and has always stirred pasionate controversies, as some love it, while others despise it. Also, the city has been a presence in the world of arts for more than a century, be it painting, photography, literature, movies and many others, proving to be a continued source of inspiration.
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas, USA, will open on the 28th of September 2007 such an exhibition, "A New York Picture Post: Gotham in the 20th Century", this time focusing on the presence of the city in photographic art. Is New York a cultural capital or a dirty and dark city, covered in smog and filth ? Both of these images are present in the works of artists featured in the show. Ranging from images of Central Park to those of skyscapers, abandoned old buildings, crowded streets or the same places at night, deserted, the show has them all and them some.
New York was founded in 1614, under the name of New Amsterdam, was captured by the British in 1664 (when it was renamed) and for a while, until 1790, it even was a capital for the United States. It was in the 19th century that this city rapidly grew and developped to what it is today, up to the point where it could be considered the cultural and financial capital of the US. The 20th century olny strengthened this image and perception, so the best photographers had a powerfull source of inspiration here. And they didn't hesitate to capture on film the best images of New York, in all it's variety and charm, with a special and unique atmosphere.
For this exhibition the curators made their picks from the rich collection of photographic art at the Spencer Museum, and chose around 90 photos that illustrate fully New York in the 20th century, 100 years of modern history captured by the keen eyes and tallent of several major photographers. It seems that the Big Apple has long time been a subjects, and the evolution and changes in the field of photography techniques has encouraged artists to go even further.
The images of a strong, vivid and varied city are signed by great names in the art of photography such as Alfred Stieglitz, Aaron Siskind, James Van Der Zee, Walker Evans, Berenice Abbott, Weegee, Robert Frank, Garry Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, Bill Jacobson, and many others.
Photo : spencerart.ku.edu
2007-09-21
