‘Mirrors and Windows’
Our Course notes feature an extract of the Museum of Modern arts press release prior to the opening of the Mirrors and Windows American photography since 1960 exhibition. I found the entire press release here. The two photography principles the photograph as a mirror and a window according to John Swarkowski a mirror is a romantic expression of the photographer’s sensibility as it projects itself on the things and sights of the world, therefore, the photograph is self-observing narrative whereas a window is a direct observation of the world. I have decided to purchase the book Windows and Mirrors, America photography since 1960 by John Swarkowski to help my understanding of these two basic photographic tenets (here)
I found the work of Tina Barney (here)
Tina Barney’s work shows us the culture of upper-class Manhattan these images have an interesting concept to them because she uses her family and friends photographing them in their domestic surroundings creating images that are intimate. ‘There is a compelling blend of a photographically distant perspective with a subject that is intimately known’ (Cotton, 2009) Her work a mirror to her everyday life. Barney describes her work as being akin to an anthropological survey (Cotton, 2009) I agree with this statement because of the way she approaches her work. Barney photographs family life and the tensions that occur through identity and place she shows people separate from one another, closeness as well as people immersed in daily activities her work a window to human society, culture and the lifestyle of upper-class Manhattan.
Press Realease (1978). Mirrors and Windows American Photography since 1960[online] Available at https://www.moma.org/momaorg/shared/pdfs/docs/press_archives/5624/releases/MOMA_1978_0060_56.pdf [Accessed 4 April 2018]
Cotton, C. (2009) The photograph as contemporary art, Thames & Hudson world of art
Tina Barney(online) http://www.tinabarney.com/#/theaterofmanners/%5Baccessed 4 April 2018]