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George Hurrell, Andre Kertesz, Horst, Philippe Halsman, Imogen Cunningham, Weegee, Weston (Edward and his son Brett): a veritable feast of still-affordable vintage or digital classic prints from the giants who made photography the fastest growing art form.
I recently read more people are taking photos than ever, and two top women from a local L.A. museum told me photography is hot collectibles. However, most photographers have never heard of these names, let alone seen the photos. photoLA is the equivalent of a major art museum exhibit, with Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and Mark Ryden, but of the photo world. I brought my neighbor, a talented aspiring photographer who had never seen nor heard of these icons.
How can people aspire to a field and not be inspired by those who preceded us?
I, literally, was breathless, going from booth to booth, up close and personal with some of the greatest images ever captured. I was surprised at the affordability of these works. Some are vintage, printed either by the photographer or under their supervision. More are starting to realize the advantages of high-end digital technology.
My fave photographer, who specialized in the most glamorous of all Hollywood portraitures, is George Hurrell. The George Hurrell Estate Collection and Hurrell Photography are overseen by his son, J. Grier Clarke, and Christopher Belport, a specialist in large format, archival digital prints. A 40 x 30, in limited editions of 50 prints, is only $3900. Consider the artist, compare to other art forms, and that's quite affordable if you are a serious collector.
Hurrell Was Sui Generis
If you don't have that much space or money, other sizes are available. The images themselves are flawless, sepia-toned, soft-focused, with his unique dramatic lighting, with the most memorable and some long-forgotten yet once most important movie stars. Hurrell's style has influenced countless photographers, but there is only one George Hurrell, just as there was only one Van Gogh or Picasso.
It always surprises me to see so many Muhammad Ali photos, but my neighbor's boyfriend told me something I've heard before: Ali was the ultimate athlete. I'm often surprised to find a lack of other contemporary celebs, whether athletes or performers. Why is that? I saw large-format color prints of models whose faces were defaced at Ace Gallery, Los Angeles. Based on what I've seen previously in their photoLA booths, they seem to specialize in large prints to shock people.
Robert Berman was busy, perhaps due in part to his professionalism and reputation. His galleries in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, always draw large crowds because of his astute aesthetic sense and marketing prowess.
My neighbor and I were fascinated by Dan Burkholder's platinum/palladium prints on velum, with gold leaf on the back, 8 ½ x 12 ¾ AP [artist's proof]/15, $2600, at the John Cleary Gallery from Houston, Texas. Firstly, Burkholder's images were striking. Secondly, his process is very labor-intensive, using expensive and precious materials. Finally, his editions are small, ideal for collectors.
I am sorry I don't know the name of the gallery with my favorite photo of the evening, Imogen Cunningham's "The Dream," 1910, $6800. (I think it was at least an 8 x 10). I told my neighbor it reminds me of my Patti Smith photo. Both have images of a woman who literally glows. I have such a love for older prints, with their soft-focus and fascinating subjects. Cunningham is an often-overlooked female photographer, whose photograph of Edward Weston, on Wikipedia, deserves more recognition.
If Only I Had Lived Then
The Stephen Daiter Gallery of Chicago displayed an unusual photograph of Simone de Beauvoir by Art Shay, 12 5/8 x 10, $1500. I was looking at other vintage photos in the booth when my eye caught the caption. de Beauvoir was part of the post-World War II French generation of modern philosophers and writers. She is equally known for her early landmark feminist writings as her relationship with Sartre, the most famous existentialist writer. The man from the gallery told me this particular photo caused quite a stir when it was exhibited recently in Europe.
Yet I think most probably paid no attention to it in L.A. Why is it notable? de Beauvoir is standing in the bathroom, facing the mirror, with her back to us. She's pinning up her hair, wearing nothing but high heels. Her pose is casual and real, and not what we expect from a woman of her renown. I loved her womanly thighs, wishing I were alive then and adored for my brain and never worrying about my weight. It's almost like seeing the most popular, vital female writer in the nude today, not posing, but caught in the moment, without a stylist. Just isn't done.
Vintage Photography’s Value
Although the economy is a major issue for all of us, there are still those with enough money to buy art. These are but a few photographs and photographers whose visions and creations have stood and will continue to stand the test of time. Their unique eyes, the time period, the personalities they photographed, will continue to fascinate people. Their value as art cannot be disputed. Vintage photography, whether printed long ago or with archival, high-end or traditional methods today, are works of lasting and vital art.
I say this sadly because too few realize the value of photos unless the photographer is some hot-shot today who hangs out with stylists and the flavor-of-the-moment models, or else they are dead. I constantly educate people on the value of photography as a legitimate art form. People will not think twice about spending huge sums of money on a painting, but quibble with me over the price of my photos, which, in most cases, barely pays for my time, and very little for the value of my historical photos themselves.
I'll place my bets on these giants, whose work has resonated for generations. They've certainly inspired me, long before I ever became a renowned photographer. I never purposely devoted my life to my photo archive. But I can't help but remember all the many happy, thoughtful, moving hours I've spent looking at these photos, knowing their history. Art is not dead, the past is not dead, the future is not dead, as long as people are committed to showing and collecting photography. We can't go forward in culture without appreciating our past.
A Word for Our Sponsors
A shout-out to the fine companies who provided the food and drink, which always makes for a more pleasant event: Marani Vodka, Barefoot Wine, Grolsch lager, Grace Restaurant and Susina Bakery and Cafe. This year the selection reflected the downsizing of the economy, so the guests were very fortunate these companies participated.
