Interesting presentation of one of the key figures in photography, both in terms of his technical innovation, but equally for his often very intriguing darkroom decisions. For instance, the portrait of Luisa Casati - as I understand it - is simply an accident, a double exposure. The 'art' is of course that Man Ray decided to print it anyway and in time turned it into an icon of surrealism.
Now, "Duchamp is the twentieth century's most influential artist, foreshadowing everything that was to follow.", That is a HUGE statement ;0)
This reminds me of when I worked in the National galleries- at the Dean. There was an exhibition of Henri Cartier Bresson’s work and I was transfixed by his portrait of Truman capote. I would make my daily visit on my lunch break to visit him.
great post - i've known his work (particularly some of his pioneering darkroom work using solarization) but not really looked into his background, and really have done so before!
Wonderful post Neil! Some of my personal favourites in there. the book about Luisa Casati 'Infinite Variety' is worth a read, she has inspired many a fashion collection mostly this one https://youtu.be/CQ2fkeRzpkA?si=-QtfzSf8bwJ4Zqcq
The full quote from Les Chants de Maldoror by Comte de Lautréamont is wild:
I am an expert at judging age from the physiognomic lines of the brow: he is sixteen years and four months of age. He is as handsome as the retractility of the claws in birds of prey; or, again, as the unpredictability of muscular movement in sores in the soft spot of the posterior cervical region; or, rather, as the perpetual motion rat-trap which is always reset by the trapped animal and which can go on catching rodents indefinitely and works even when it is hidden under straw; and, above all, as the chance juxtaposition of a sewing machine and an umbrella on a dissecting table!
Enjoyable both and interesting
There’s an interesting self bio called self portrait and also a bio called the montparnasse years, which were his most important ones
His memoir looks extremely readable and I did dip in a little but didn’t have the time to finish.
Interesting presentation of one of the key figures in photography, both in terms of his technical innovation, but equally for his often very intriguing darkroom decisions. For instance, the portrait of Luisa Casati - as I understand it - is simply an accident, a double exposure. The 'art' is of course that Man Ray decided to print it anyway and in time turned it into an icon of surrealism.
Now, "Duchamp is the twentieth century's most influential artist, foreshadowing everything that was to follow.", That is a HUGE statement ;0)
There are lots of avenues to explore when you remove all rules!
Maybe a little bit of hyperbole on Duchamp! But he definitely feels central when I walk around galleries.
This reminds me of when I worked in the National galleries- at the Dean. There was an exhibition of Henri Cartier Bresson’s work and I was transfixed by his portrait of Truman capote. I would make my daily visit on my lunch break to visit him.
Truman Capote is also incredibly photogenic. The ones with Avedon are v sensual.
great post - i've known his work (particularly some of his pioneering darkroom work using solarization) but not really looked into his background, and really have done so before!
Thank you! Yes, he is a modernist pioneer but also seems to be unique in how prolific and good at networking he was.
Wonderful post Neil! Some of my personal favourites in there. the book about Luisa Casati 'Infinite Variety' is worth a read, she has inspired many a fashion collection mostly this one https://youtu.be/CQ2fkeRzpkA?si=-QtfzSf8bwJ4Zqcq
Thank you! I love the Luisa Casati look with the pearls hanging down. Did you see the new Galliano documentary? Such a genius
Yes I went to see it at the cinema, I found it very honest and moving. Genius indeed.
my favourite phrase from that era is "like the chance encounter of a sewing machine and an umbrella on a dissecting table".
another interesting fact in the "avant-garde arts" is that the play writer eugene ionesco, the father of "absurde theatre" is also romanian
The full quote from Les Chants de Maldoror by Comte de Lautréamont is wild:
I am an expert at judging age from the physiognomic lines of the brow: he is sixteen years and four months of age. He is as handsome as the retractility of the claws in birds of prey; or, again, as the unpredictability of muscular movement in sores in the soft spot of the posterior cervical region; or, rather, as the perpetual motion rat-trap which is always reset by the trapped animal and which can go on catching rodents indefinitely and works even when it is hidden under straw; and, above all, as the chance juxtaposition of a sewing machine and an umbrella on a dissecting table!