Two Ladies at the Automat, NYC, 1966
Diane Arbus
After seeing the movie Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus,
which was, in my opinion, very lacking, I wanted to know more about
the life and work of this photographic genius. Her work is absolutely
mesmerizing and the film did not do her justice. Patricia Bosworth's
biography Diane Arbus is an insightful look at the tragic life of this
innovative young artist, as well as a vivid picture of the photographic
community in New York City in the 1960's. It is sad that her life ended
so early. I can't help but imagine what her legacy could have been, had
she lived a full and productive life. Bosworth's book is a fascinating look
at the woman behind some of the most dynamic images of our time.
There was a waiting list for this book at my library, so go ahead and
take a spot in your queue now!
Thank You for this lesson about Lady Arbus...
ReplyDeleteBut I don't know her work...
Sorry...
Have a nice day !
Morning, Willow. I'm having a cup of coffee and a whole grain blueberry eggo. Not as healthy as your black tea and fibre clusters, but good nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten about Diane Arbus. Looks like a good read. Thanks!
Yes, she had the most individual and quirky eye.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some of her work...truly an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI have loved DA for years and was lucky enough to see a show in NYC many many yrs ago of her photos. She may even have been alive at that time, not sure.
ReplyDeleteA couple of yrs ago I saw one of her photos on a (wealthy( friend's wall. Of course, with a photographer one can bring out more copies of their work many years post death. I believe her daughter is also a photographer.
I have the movie on order from Netflix. Now, to check out the bio. Thanks for the info.
i want so to read more about her and also pick up the movie...now i've more reason to...thanks for sharing with us regarding da.
ReplyDeletehave a wonderful wednesday.
Suki and Erin, don't bother with the movie, it is very lacking. Just read the book!
ReplyDeleteThe movie was horribly wrong on many things - it implied she was naive about photography and that was far from the truth.
ReplyDeleteArbus was so right for her moment in time... I don't think her impact would be as great today as it was back then.
Life and Look magazines had conditioned people about looking at black and white photos - and the boomer generation was just feeling it's way into social reorganization. It was a perfect time for her efforts.
She will go down in history as one of the best photo artists of the 20th century.
Such a great choice of photo! I love the eyebrows on those two women . . . they have a life of their own. Our botoxed forehead culture (Nicole Kidman, I'm talking to you) is a sad blank canvas in comparison.
ReplyDeleteI saw Fur, too; and agree with your verdict on it. This book sounds like a much richer glimpse into an interesting life and art.
Willow,
ReplyDeleteThe name rings a bell, so I'm going to go check out her work and see if I can repolarize some ineret neurons in my cerebrum.
rel
I would love to read this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBee, I totally agree about our botoxed culture being a sad blank canvas. Aren't these women great? I need to find a fun leopard print hat!!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the inspiration was behind those hats?
ReplyDeleteIt seems odd now to see photos of women who smoke in what appears to be a public place although It has been against the law here in England for just a short time.
Don't envy my "no 6 " Willow, how I longed for curves!
Thank you for the recommendation, Willow!
ReplyDeletefabulous recommendation - thanks Willow!
ReplyDeleteMmmm...I can smell that bread clear down here! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with Bee...isn't it funny how you can spot that botox a mile away! There's a tv anchor that I see quite often whose face doesn't move any more! ha!
And why use botox when you can just Photoshop all your wrinkles away? tee-hee!
ReplyDeleteI personally know of one woman who photoshops her pictures so much that you don't recognize her when you see her in person! ;^)
ReplyDeleteOh, I always wondered if that movie was any good--thanks for checking it out "for me!" LOL Sorry it's lacking...I was always fascinated by her. Did you know she was the sister of the poet Howard Nemerov, too? I like his poetry.
ReplyDeleteI saw those women at the Automat .. no, not really but sort of ..
ReplyDelete:-Daryl
I love that photo. It so fully captures and defines an era that is forever gone.
ReplyDeleteI love this picture, and I will documments on Diane Arbus.
ReplyDeleteHave a good evening.
I'm not familiar with her work. I'll google the name and see what pops up. Thanks!! Hope you're having a wonderful evening. :o) ♥ ∞
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for this insightful post. I came across Diane Arbus recently through The Observer, my Sunday paper and I think now that they were probably reviewing the book you're reading. Is it a recent piece? They also had a collection of black and white photos from the same era and what I gathered from the writer was that she was quite controversial in her time due to her choice of subject. Certainly, academic Germaine Greer has raged against Arbus in her Monday columns in The Guardian. There were a couple I remember, from the ones I saw in the paper, that caught my attention.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a most illustrative article.
Greetings from London.
This is one movie I have not seen - I enjoy some of Kidman's roles, but this one didn't really speak to me. I find that bio-pics are quite difficult to pull off. I can't think of too many that really make the grade - at least not of late. The exception of course is in two films of Sir Anthony H - Shadowlands and Surviving Picasso (both of which, I trust you have seen).
ReplyDeleteKat
Yes, and I so wish they would release Surviving Picasso on DVD!! What is the hold up, anyway?! Shadowlands is wonderful.
ReplyDeletethat movie was awful. bosworth is a great writer and her biography is genius. the last word on arbus.
ReplyDeleteterrific blog!
Love the photo, I'll have to go and check out the book.
ReplyDeleteCuban, the book was published in 2005, so it's not brand new.
ReplyDeleteDarlink, those two hat ladies must have stories to tell! You must invite them to tea.
ReplyDeleteps I think my mother might have the twin to one of those hats.
Daaaaaling, let's put on the hats and pose for a remake!!
ReplyDeleteMy brother introduced me to Arbus. Great stuff. I love it, love it, love it.
ReplyDeleteTalking of photography, spooky new profile pic!
I actually had that movie in my mental list of things to one day see but maybe I'll give it a pass then?
ReplyDeleteI have put you down as the woman from the manor
ReplyDeleteLooks interesting. I found the movie lacking, too.
ReplyDeleteHer photos are eerie, compelling, and sometimes sad. I love her work and wish she could be with us today.
ReplyDelete