Vivian Maier's images conjure many feelings, from loneliness and isolation to delight in the small things seen everyday. Although not much is known about the woman who never claimed to be an artist, or a famous one at least, ingrained in her composition is the shadow of a person with deep understanding of human emotions. Within the busy city life of Chicago she managed to capture moments most people sweep past, with a sad elegance and almost thirst for warmth.
Looking through her photos is like floating through a crowd, her ghostly presence is mostly recognized by children who are also aching for attention, and is often lost to those who have bigger, more important things to tend to.
It is said she mostly wore men's clothing and preferred to keep to herself (even at the photo stores where she purchased film regularly) but her photograph's contain a consistent femininity and sense of interconnectivity, an attention to detail only an advocate for style could appreciate. But then again, it was the 60's and in my opinion everything looked aesthetically better back then!
She also flawlessly captured the changing political times of the mid-century through it's toll on the streets, whether through the remnant of graffiti and posters, or the faces of the homeless.
Vivian Maier stands out as real artist to me for many reasons. Her time on the streets successfully portray many important views of community and humanity in general, yet are timelessly well framed. Her lack of desire to be recognized for her work shows a natural talent that simply went unnoticed, like most of her life. It's sad to me that she disregarded her passion towards the end of her life, and that many rolls of film found in antique stores weren't even developed. There is some redemption that by chance they fell into the hands of someone who appreciates them, and has passed on her legacy to build the growing fan base that in jut a year has impacted so many people.
R.I.P. Miss Maier, February 1st 1926 - April 21, 2009.
Last Friday night I stumbled upon an awesome exhibition by Photographer John Thurston. As part of Liberty Station's "First Friday" events (happening the first Friday of every month, duh) Barracks 19 is open extended hours as part of an art walkabout that encourages the community to come see what's brewing inside. Upstairs at Bravo School of Art John is part of the various rotating instructors, photography being his specialty. His collection titled City Heights: Primary Colors will be up for the month of November.
A resident of City Heights for over 30 years, his images of surrounding homes and storefronts are colorful and comedic. Some of the images I recognized instantly from my own experiences in the city, which I have called my home for nearly 3 years now. What I really adore about his photographs, and about City heights in general, is the lack of pretentiousness the homes hold, the warmth of sensible family dwelling that is within the utilitarian means of decorating. There are no standards present, no censorship or reasoning past a fundamental desire to make one's home their own, on very little funds. This conjures memories of my youth, where our mismatched furniture was clean, and cozy, mostly disguised under a blanket until company came.
In an article published earlier in the year in the Reader, one resident states "City Heights is not beautiful or sexy… or even all that clean. It has no fancy boutiques or wine bars. Its residents are not trendy or famous. The library is loud and crowded, the traffic annoying, and the number of 99-cent stores exceeds the acceptable limit for any one neighborhood. Then, too, there’s the dog poo, which pedestrians in City Heights have to step around way too often. Despite these minor quirks and inconveniences, the neighborhood has enough flavor, culture, and comforts to hang on to its long-time residents and to draw in the new."
My particular street has been under construction for almost a year now, where an entire "Urban Village" is being built as part of the cities Redevelopment Plan. I think it's beneficial that the area is being developed further, especially if that truly includes affordable housing as projected, and I have no doubt that in a few years it will be the new "North Park," I just hope that all the raw charm about the unassuming streets will not be lost in this process. It's those unique deviations from the neighboring Kensington homes that make being young and poor, worth celebrating.
Tonight at Agitprop, local artist Joe Yorty shows some of his recent work. I am looking forward to this event not only because it follows a Poetry reading (by poets Farrah Field and Jared White), but because you never know what Joe will come up with next.
Some of his work includes a Free Couch archive, that includes over 20,000 photographs taken off Craigslist that he has distinctively organized into a library of 7 volumes, in booklets that are handmade.
Another favorite of mine is the E.T. project, where 120 ceramic E.T. figures were slip cast over a 10-month period from a single plaster mold he purchased from a second-hand store in 2009. Once glazed and serialized The E.T.s were then circulated through donation to area thrift stores where they were priced, shelved and sold to the public. I collected my own E.T earlier in the year at the 2nd annual Thrift Store Bike Tour!
(My face does not reflect my sheer joy at finally owning one, but I think it was the heat, honestly)
