Diane Arbus at Nottingham Contempory

[Gidders]

On until 3rd oct

Diane Arbus is one of the most important photographers of the twentieth century, an influential figure whose compellingly honest style of photography paved the way for the work of contemporary photographers and artists.

ARTIST ROOMS comprises of 69 black-and-white photographs from across Arbus’s career, both her earliest work in 35mm and her characteristic square-format images, and ranging from her best-known portraits to rarely-seen images.

http://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/art/diane-arbus

[yelvertoft]

Thanks for the heads-up Clive. If I was located a bit closer I'd go see it. Never really "got" Arbus, but I should try.

[Gidders]

Originally Posted by yelvertoft

...Never really "got" Arbus, but I should try.

From a quick sweep of the web I know what you mean, but I'll go & have a look before it closes

[yelvertoft]

Looking at her work, I always came away thinking she was a casual snapper with connections in the right places. Others regard her as a tortured genius. Can't see it myself, but I'm willing to learn.

[surfg1mp]

I went to see one of her exhibitions at a venue in london, cant remember which one now, maybe the design museum. I thought it was very interesting, but im not sure it was her or just the fact she had some amazingly intesting people to photograph. still a moving, thought provoking exhibition, thats well worth a look.

[Al Tee]

Interesting thread to me this Clive; sincerely, as when I first looked at this thread I thought; OK, I hear what you say, and you are undoubtedly a photographer who's opinions I regard in the highest; but am I missing something because, to be honest, I wasn't impressed by the pictures posted or thro the 1st few images from the Diane Arbus website.
I'm not criticising here or trying to be a smart h'arse' as she undoudtedly had something other than great contacts that the photographic world were inspired by. I'd sincerely, and without sarcasm like to be educated as to what it was.
To plug a member of WPF; in my view anyway, 'Jim' AKA 'J A Mortram's' images are in a different league, (higher), and quite significantly, of what could be described as the 'common people', by that I mean no disrespect to his subjects at all, just that they are of ordinary people like ourselves.
Sincerely,
Al.

[robski]

How many us have had this said about our photography

according to Wikipedia

"Norman Mailer was quoted in 1971 as saying "Giving a camera to Diane Arbus is like putting a live grenade in the hands of a child."

To be honesty her work does little for me. In fact I'm not a fan of photographers who seek out marginal people for subject matter.

[surfg1mp]

to be fair though, i've never seen those pictures you posted up clive. Their not her best or most well known.

Generally her work is alot better than that.

each to their own.

I really like the documentary style(if thats what it is?), so Arbus's work really appeals to me!

if i was up that way is go and see the exhibition for sure.

Id be interested to know if J A Mortram is a fan, or feels he is influenced by Diane Arbus. His work reminds me of hers. It seems to be in a similar vein, stlye.

[graham harcombe]

An interesting discussion and one that provoked me to delve a little deeper into Arbus and her work. She certainly divided the critical world, few were ambivalent. I am left feeling slightly depressed by what I see. Wayne Koestenbaum asked in 2007 whether Arbus's photographs humiliate the subjects or the viewers and I take his point.