Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Historical Photographer
PHILIPPE HALSMAN
Philippe Halsman was an American portrait photographer born in Russia in 1906. He actually began his career studying electrical engineering and was a friend of Albert Einstein (who famously helped emancipate Halsman from his imprisonment for his alleged involvement in the death of his father). Soon after arriving in France, Halsman began a career in fashion photography contributing to publications such as Vogue. Once in America, he was the main photographer for the Elizabeth Arden "Victory Red " lipstick campaign. Aside from many magazine and advertising campaigns (which included a series of covers for Life magazine), Halsman photographed many well known actors, politicians, royalty, and scientists.
One of his most well-noted collaborations was with the Surrealist artist Salvador Dali which depicted the idea of suspension in the series Dali Atomicus. A result of their second collaboration is pictured above; A tableau vivant, the photograph was part of the pair's In Voluptas Mors.
Perhaps his most famous photograph was that of a reflective Albert Einstein taken in 1947. The photograph would eventually be used on a postage stamp in 1966, and again on the cover of Time magazine in 1999 when Einstein was named "person of the century."
Contemporary Photographer
JAN GROOVER
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1943, Jan Groover is an American photographer who currently works and resides in Montpon-Menesterol, France. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. She went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts in Art Education from Ohio State University. It wasn't until after she began her career as an educator in the late 1970's that Groover took up photography. Her first works were color diptychs and triptychs depicting vehicles in motion.
Groover's strictly formalistic approach to photography has a heavy focus on color. She is considered some what of a pioneer in the use of emerging color technologies. Her formalism also emphasizes shapes, lines, and textures which add interest to her relatively simple subjects which often include kitchen utensils. Within her photographs it is often difficult to distinguish between foreground, middle ground, and background. She stresses that the objects themselves have no particular meaning, but that the composition as a whole provokes interest. She usually relies on artificial lighting, sharpening techniques, and close framing.
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1943, Jan Groover is an American photographer who currently works and resides in Montpon-Menesterol, France. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. She went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts in Art Education from Ohio State University. It wasn't until after she began her career as an educator in the late 1970's that Groover took up photography. Her first works were color diptychs and triptychs depicting vehicles in motion.
Groover's strictly formalistic approach to photography has a heavy focus on color. She is considered some what of a pioneer in the use of emerging color technologies. Her formalism also emphasizes shapes, lines, and textures which add interest to her relatively simple subjects which often include kitchen utensils. Within her photographs it is often difficult to distinguish between foreground, middle ground, and background. She stresses that the objects themselves have no particular meaning, but that the composition as a whole provokes interest. She usually relies on artificial lighting, sharpening techniques, and close framing.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Contemporary Photographer
BARBARA KRUGER
Barbara Kruger is an American conceptual artist born in Newark, New Jersey on January 26,1945. She studied design and fine arts at Syracuse University and the Parsons School of Design. Her work is very integrated into our popular culture; it featured in magazines, on bill boards, postcards, and of course online. She has previously worked for Mademoiselle, House and Garden, and Aperture Magazine among others. Her background in design is evident throughout her work. She almost always features text, which is almost exclusively Future or Helvetica. The text is integrated into pieces through photomontage, usually using found photographs. Often it is printed in white on a red background to make bold statements. Her context is very outspoken and sometimes controversial. Her work touches on subjects such as feminism, consumerism, and the struggle for power and control.
Barbara Kruger is an American conceptual artist born in Newark, New Jersey on January 26,1945. She studied design and fine arts at Syracuse University and the Parsons School of Design. Her work is very integrated into our popular culture; it featured in magazines, on bill boards, postcards, and of course online. She has previously worked for Mademoiselle, House and Garden, and Aperture Magazine among others. Her background in design is evident throughout her work. She almost always features text, which is almost exclusively Future or Helvetica. The text is integrated into pieces through photomontage, usually using found photographs. Often it is printed in white on a red background to make bold statements. Her context is very outspoken and sometimes controversial. Her work touches on subjects such as feminism, consumerism, and the struggle for power and control.
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