metroblog

I came across an article in the NYT blog The Moment about the opening of the Avedon Fashion exhibit at the International Center of Photography. It started with a simple question: What is the difference between fashion and fine art photography? I pondered on this and headed over to the center last Wednesday to check out for myself the work of Richard Avedon. I was bound to come up with some sort of answer, after all, he is hailed as the man who revolutionized fashion photography and set a precedent for what it is today, even five years after his death.

The two-floor exhibit holds over 175 photos and some original prints that span Avedon’s career, beginning post WWII up until 2000. But what was especially striking was the content of the photos—the use of space and nature to contrast the clothes on the models.

As I emerged from the cool atmosphere of the Photography Center into the hot Weekday afternoon hustle-and-bustle of the city, I felt as if I’d just experienced an epiphany: Avedon’s work isn’t about the luxurious clothing, it’s about using that Perugia shoe or Dior dress as an essential tool to enhance the picture as a whole. The non-sequitur of associating a model wearing a Dior suit while roller skating at the same time is whimsical and indubitably infuses glamour and excitement into fashion.

The Avedon Fashion: 1944-2000 exhibit is easily a must-see if you’re in the area. No pressure though—the exhibit is on-going until September 6th.

For more information about the exhibit or the ICP, go here…