Diane Arbus, Photographer, was an American photographer and writer noted for black-and-white square photographs of "deviant and marginal people or of people whose normality seems ugly or surreal."
Born: March 14, 1923, New York City, NY
Died: July 26, 1971, Greenwich Village, NY
Spouse: Allan Arbus (m. 1941–1969)
Artwork: Identical Twins, Roselle, New Jersey, 1967, More
Children: Doon Arbus, Amy Arbus
Education: Ethical Culture Fieldston School, The New School
Norman Mailer said that “Giving a camera to Diane Arbus is like putting a live grenade in the hands of a child.” Her photographs are shocking, catching subjects in an unmasked moment, whether they were of famous writers and actors or transvestites. In this style, Arbus teaches a lesson about not aiming to capture the surface of a subject, but rather, working to reveal the subject’s true self through art.
I hope her work will not be too demanding and will have something for everybody. Her work is square pics in black and white, so if you want to reinterpret in color that's okay for this challenge.
Some really interesting work for sure. Recreate one of her shots, or capture something that might have been of interest or her idea.
Tag your work ac-arbus
The challenge will run until Sat September 28th 9:00pm Pacific. We'll start the voting shortly thereafter. Have fun and this should be interesting.
Interesting, for sure! I've seen the movie"Fur" and it was very bizarre but interesting. It so happens that I'll be enjoying a girl's weekend in Las Vegas over the next few days...this might be the perfect place for Arbus style subject matter! (Keeping it "R" rated, of course).
As a lifetime student of the fine arts I am familiar with Diane Arbus and her work. As a lover of cinema, I respect that the film makers added the tagline, “An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus” to the appropriate title, “Fur.” This wonderful film never mocks or belittles Arbus or her work in spite of the controversial nature of both. “Fur” is a fantasy but it touches base with fact often enough to give the curious a place to begin. The story takes the born to privilege Diane, from the life of a frustrated housewife and assistant to her fashion photographer husband, to a world of disenfranchised societal outcasts and, in the process places control of the lens in her hands. When she meets Todd Sweeney (Robert Downey Jr.) who’s inflicted with hypertrichosis, a syndrome that causes excessive body hair (Sometimes called Wolfman’s Syndrome), Diane’s life is forever changed. The more she becomes involved Sweeney and his friends, the more she finds her own place. Her unconventional photographs of transvestites, dwarfs, giants, prostitutes plus her extraordinary images of ordinary people became staples for Esquire, the New York Times Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and many other publications. But unlike “Fur” implies, it didn’t suddenly happen by magic. She studied photography with Lisette Model at the New School in New York earning her credentials the old fashioned way. The Diane Arbus photograph, Identical Twins, is number ten on the list of most expensive photographs. In 2004 it sold at action for $478,400! At least her heirs can laugh all the way to the bank. [5] I hope my thoughts are Helpful [11/17/09] ~~~Wingz
I found the above review of the movie Fur to be rather interesting. I'm going to try and get the movie delivered to watch it before the challenge is over....I'm looking forward to what people create/capture.
I just wanted to reach out to others that I believe have participated in artist challenge to let them know we have a New Artist Challenge - Diane Arbus.
Everyone, you have 5 days to get photos into the New Artist Challenge #60! There are numerous videos to watch on YouTube and lots of sample photos on the web about Diane Arbus. Thanks for participating!
Huh, what? Am I listed as a possible subject for this challenge? ;-)
I don't do people shots. Well, that's not quite true, the missus has the almighty power to make do them, and then it's only family. Thanks for the invite though, hen it's something non-human, I'll come out and play.
Subject matter is not easy to find... and if I did find it I wouldn't feel right using my camera. I saw a man yesterday who would have made a great portrait for this, but I was to scared to look him in the eye let alone snap him with my camera. He was quite large and cave man like and my inner vibes said leave him alone. I also came across a man screaming obscenities and thought it best to walk widely around him.
@mikegifford Thanks for the info and update Mike. I'm sitting this one out first and foremost for time issues, but secondly, it's just not a subject matter I'm comfortable with. But I'm sure those who participate will get a great deal out of following her style.
I relate to many of Sharon's comments. I was in Vegas for a few days and figured maybe, maybe some of the more uncommon looking people would be approachable. I did not get any welcoming "vibes." The ladies dressed as show girls (and boys) charge money for photos. The homeless who beg money (on the pedestrian bridges & sidewalks) so sad looking--I couldn't bear to ask. I haven't given up...will do a bit more research.
@mikegifford Thanks for the invitation, Mike, but I don't think I'll be participating for lack of a model... It will be interesting to see what people come up with!
@mikegifford Not able to find any models for this challenge but thank you for putting this artist up! Love the work and just watched Fur. Thank you for the introduction.
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Does this work at all? He seems marginal to me !
@deburahiru We may all be in trouble ;-}
As a lifetime student of the fine arts I am familiar with Diane Arbus and her work. As a lover of cinema, I respect that the film makers added the tagline, “An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus” to the appropriate title, “Fur.” This wonderful film never mocks or belittles Arbus or her work in spite of the controversial nature of both. “Fur” is a fantasy but it touches base with fact often enough to give the curious a place to begin. The story takes the born to privilege Diane, from the life of a frustrated housewife and assistant to her fashion photographer husband, to a world of disenfranchised societal outcasts and, in the process places control of the lens in her hands. When she meets Todd Sweeney (Robert Downey Jr.) who’s inflicted with hypertrichosis, a syndrome that causes excessive body hair (Sometimes called Wolfman’s Syndrome), Diane’s life is forever changed. The more she becomes involved Sweeney and his friends, the more she finds her own place. Her unconventional photographs of transvestites, dwarfs, giants, prostitutes plus her extraordinary images of ordinary people became staples for Esquire, the New York Times Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and many other publications. But unlike “Fur” implies, it didn’t suddenly happen by magic. She studied photography with Lisette Model at the New School in New York earning her credentials the old fashioned way. The Diane Arbus photograph, Identical Twins, is number ten on the list of most expensive photographs. In 2004 it sold at action for $478,400! At least her heirs can laugh all the way to the bank. [5] I hope my thoughts are Helpful [11/17/09] ~~~Wingz
I found the above review of the movie Fur to be rather interesting. I'm going to try and get the movie delivered to watch it before the challenge is over....I'm looking forward to what people create/capture.
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Not sure how I got tagged in this, but I won't be participating. Thank you for thinking of me though. :)
I don't do people shots. Well, that's not quite true, the missus has the almighty power to make do them, and then it's only family. Thanks for the invite though, hen it's something non-human, I'll come out and play.