Ansel & Annie
January 20, 2008
This posting comes late. Too late, actually. The Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC had a special exhibition of Annie Leibovitz titled Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005. Initially, it was Ansel Adams' exhibition (which remains on display through the 27th of January) that caught my attention and motivated me to plan a metro trip to DC. Noticing Leibovitz had an exhibition occurring at the same time, I investigated her work online. What I read and saw captured my interest, and I became even more excited to visit the Corcoran.
I studied Ansel while an undergrad, so I knew some of his work going into the show. I must say that I always imagined his prints to be huge - at least anywhere from 3-10 feet. This must be because his subjects themselves (like the Yosemite cliffs) are colossal in nature. But most were tiny. Perhaps I need to research the history of printing a bit more so I don't have silly expectations. The photographs that most interested me were his black and white Aspens (below), the powerful and awe-inspiring photographs of towering Yosemite cliffs, and 2 tiny photos from Glacier Bay, Alaska that appeared to be petrified wood stumps. There were some beautiful captures, but I wasn't blown away by Ansel's photography. I think the size still disappoints me. Nonetheless, I respect his work and am glad to have seen it in person.
Aspens, Northern New Mexico, Ansel Adams, 1958
I moved on to Annie's gallery. The first photographs were not at all what I was expecting - when researching her work online, I mostly came across dramatic shots she has taken of celebrities, or people in the public eye. These first shots were of her mother and nephew, father, siblings, in-laws - all very candid, whimsical captures of joyful family moments. I loved them, as they brought me closer to the artist and gave me better perspective of her life and what she values. The middle section displayed the celebrity images with which I had familiarized myself. I must have spent 5 minutes with each photograph, as my eyes couldn't get enough of the dramatic and sometimes atmospheric lighting, intense and bold colors, sharp lines mingling with graceful curves, and how she created an atmosphere that illustrated perfectly the pose of the model and expression on their face...it was all so incredible. A portrait of Johnny Depp and Kate Moss lying together on a bed of disheveled white linens... I'm not one of those women fanatics weeping because they can't wrap their hands around the handsome and mysterious Johnny Depp, but this image had a suggestive, sensual story that made me wonder, "what's going on here?" "did they...?" "I wonder...". Yes, I confess a little spark of jealousy lit within me while I stood in front of that portrait. My guess is that guys would feel the same way, as Kate Moss is a beautiful woman in her own right. I walked away wondering if it was awkward for Kate to have Johhny's head resting against her breast. Greg assured me Johnny wouldn't have minded one bit.
The White Stripes, New York City, Annie Leibovitz, 2003
The later half of the exhibition was more difficult to swallow. Here, Annie shared photographs of her close friend, Susan Sontag, as she was diagnosed with cancer, underwent chemotherapy, and eventually succumbed to her illness in 2004. Another painful experience captured and shared in her photographs was that of her father's death in 2005. Truly, I don't believe I have experienced such intensely personal work from any artist; she must be an incredibly strong woman to be able to open her diary to the world...but then again, perhaps it helps the healing process. I certainly have immense respect for her sincerity and passion, and for trusting me to appreciate the significance of these experiences and the sharing of them.
Here's an article about the exhibition when it was on display at the Brooklyn Museum.
Another - more in-depth and with a bio.
Fortunately, for those of you who admire Ansel Adams, there's still time to check out his work. Unfortunately, Annie Leibovitz's exhibition ended the weekend I was there (January 13, 2008). I wish those of you who live around DC could have seen it. It's an exhibition on international tour; but, while I know the locations, I have not been able to track down a schedule (how odd!). If ever you hear of an Annie Leibovitz exhibition coming your way, please treat yourself and plan to attend. You won't regret it. My guarantee!
January 20, 2008
This posting comes late. Too late, actually. The Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington DC had a special exhibition of Annie Leibovitz titled Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer's Life, 1990-2005. Initially, it was Ansel Adams' exhibition (which remains on display through the 27th of January) that caught my attention and motivated me to plan a metro trip to DC. Noticing Leibovitz had an exhibition occurring at the same time, I investigated her work online. What I read and saw captured my interest, and I became even more excited to visit the Corcoran.
I studied Ansel while an undergrad, so I knew some of his work going into the show. I must say that I always imagined his prints to be huge - at least anywhere from 3-10 feet. This must be because his subjects themselves (like the Yosemite cliffs) are colossal in nature. But most were tiny. Perhaps I need to research the history of printing a bit more so I don't have silly expectations. The photographs that most interested me were his black and white Aspens (below), the powerful and awe-inspiring photographs of towering Yosemite cliffs, and 2 tiny photos from Glacier Bay, Alaska that appeared to be petrified wood stumps. There were some beautiful captures, but I wasn't blown away by Ansel's photography. I think the size still disappoints me. Nonetheless, I respect his work and am glad to have seen it in person.
Aspens, Northern New Mexico, Ansel Adams, 1958
I moved on to Annie's gallery. The first photographs were not at all what I was expecting - when researching her work online, I mostly came across dramatic shots she has taken of celebrities, or people in the public eye. These first shots were of her mother and nephew, father, siblings, in-laws - all very candid, whimsical captures of joyful family moments. I loved them, as they brought me closer to the artist and gave me better perspective of her life and what she values. The middle section displayed the celebrity images with which I had familiarized myself. I must have spent 5 minutes with each photograph, as my eyes couldn't get enough of the dramatic and sometimes atmospheric lighting, intense and bold colors, sharp lines mingling with graceful curves, and how she created an atmosphere that illustrated perfectly the pose of the model and expression on their face...it was all so incredible. A portrait of Johnny Depp and Kate Moss lying together on a bed of disheveled white linens... I'm not one of those women fanatics weeping because they can't wrap their hands around the handsome and mysterious Johnny Depp, but this image had a suggestive, sensual story that made me wonder, "what's going on here?" "did they...?" "I wonder...". Yes, I confess a little spark of jealousy lit within me while I stood in front of that portrait. My guess is that guys would feel the same way, as Kate Moss is a beautiful woman in her own right. I walked away wondering if it was awkward for Kate to have Johhny's head resting against her breast. Greg assured me Johnny wouldn't have minded one bit.
The White Stripes, New York City, Annie Leibovitz, 2003
The later half of the exhibition was more difficult to swallow. Here, Annie shared photographs of her close friend, Susan Sontag, as she was diagnosed with cancer, underwent chemotherapy, and eventually succumbed to her illness in 2004. Another painful experience captured and shared in her photographs was that of her father's death in 2005. Truly, I don't believe I have experienced such intensely personal work from any artist; she must be an incredibly strong woman to be able to open her diary to the world...but then again, perhaps it helps the healing process. I certainly have immense respect for her sincerity and passion, and for trusting me to appreciate the significance of these experiences and the sharing of them.
Here's an article about the exhibition when it was on display at the Brooklyn Museum.
Another - more in-depth and with a bio.
Fortunately, for those of you who admire Ansel Adams, there's still time to check out his work. Unfortunately, Annie Leibovitz's exhibition ended the weekend I was there (January 13, 2008). I wish those of you who live around DC could have seen it. It's an exhibition on international tour; but, while I know the locations, I have not been able to track down a schedule (how odd!). If ever you hear of an Annie Leibovitz exhibition coming your way, please treat yourself and plan to attend. You won't regret it. My guarantee!