Diane Arbus: American Photographer

Diane Arbus stands as a pivotal figure in American photography, renowned for her unique approach to documenting human experience. Her work challenged conventional notions of beauty and normalcy, making her a crucial artist for students studying modern photography and its impact on society. This article explores her life, distinct photographic style, and lasting legacy.

Who Was Diane Arbus? The American Photographer's Life and Legacy

Born Diane Nemerov on March 14, 1923, Diane Arbus was an American photographer whose career profoundly influenced the art world. She is celebrated for her candid and often unsettling portraits of individuals on the fringes of society, as well as everyday people. Arbus passed away on July 26, 1971.

Her unique vision involved expanding acceptable subject matter and violating the traditional distance between photographer and subject. By befriending her subjects, she achieved a rare psychological intensity in her work, capturing authentic human emotion.

Diane Arbus's Signature Style and Subject Matter

Arbus photographed a wide spectrum of people, often in their familiar environments. Her subjects included:

• Strippers and carnival performers
• Nudists and people with dwarfism
• Children, mothers, couples, and elderly people
• Middle-class families

She typically photographed them in their homes, on the street, in the workplace, or in the park. Arthur Lubow, in his 2003 New York Times Magazine article "Arbus Reconsidered," noted her fascination with people who visibly created their own identities, such as cross-dressers, sideshow performers, and tattooed individuals.

Conversely, she also explored those trapped in uniforms that offered no security or comfort. Michael Kimmelman, reviewing the exhibition Diane Arbus Revelations, highlighted how her work transformed photography, normalizing marginalized groups and emphasizing the importance of proper representation.

Key Artworks and Their Significance for Students

Diane Arbus's portfolio includes many iconic images that exemplify her distinctive style. These photographs often provoke thought and discussion, making them valuable for study:

• "Identical twins, Roselle, N.J. 1967": This image showcases her ability to find profound depth in seemingly ordinary subjects, exploring themes of identity and resemblance.
• "A Jewish giant at home with his parents in the Bronx, N.Y. 1970": A powerful example of her humanizing approach to subjects often viewed as unusual, capturing intimacy and domesticity.
• "Mexican dwarf in his hotel room, N.Y.C. 1970": Illustrates her method of photographing individuals in their personal spaces, revealing vulnerability and presence.
• "A young Brooklyn family going for a Sunday outing, N.Y.C. 1966": Demonstrates her capacity to find the peculiar or poignant even within conventional family life.
• "A young man in curlers at home on West 20th Street, N.Y.C. 1966": An intimate portrayal that challenges gender norms and captures a moment of personal ritual.
• "Retired man and his wife at home in a nudist camp one morning, N.J. 1963": An insight into alternative lifestyles, presented without judgment but with a keen observational eye.

These works, along with others like "Boy with a straw hat waiting to march in pro-war parade, N.Y.C. 1967" and "A family on their lawn one Sunday in Westchester, N.Y. 1968," collectively showcase Arbus's extensive exploration of American life and its diverse inhabitants.

Recognition and Posthumous Acclaim of Diane Arbus

During her lifetime, Arbus gained significant recognition. Beginning in 1960, her photographs appeared in prominent magazines such as Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, London's Sunday Times Magazine, and Artforum.

Key milestones include:

1. Guggenheim Fellowship: Awarded in 1963 for her proposal "American Rites, Manners and Customs," with a renewal in 1966.
2. MoMA's New Documents: In 1967, John Szarkowski, director of photography at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), championed her work, including it in his influential New Documents exhibit alongside Lee Friedlander and Garry Winogrand.

Her impact only grew after her death. In 1972, a year after her suicide, Arbus became the first photographer to be included in the Venice Biennale, where her photographs were hailed as "the overwhelming sensation of the American Pavilion" and described as "extremely powerful and very strange."

Also in 1972, MoMA hosted the first major retrospective of her work, organized by Szarkowski. This exhibition garnered the highest attendance of any MoMA exhibition to date, and traveling exhibitions reached millions worldwide between 1972 and 1979.

Accompanying the retrospective, Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph, edited by Doon Arbus and Marvin Israel, was first published in 1972 and has remained continuously in print, cementing her enduring legacy in photography.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diane Arbus for Students

Why is Diane Arbus important in photography?

Diane Arbus is important because she challenged the conventions of photographic subject matter and the relationship between photographer and subject. Her work humanized marginalized groups and expanded the definition of acceptable art, influencing countless contemporary photographers.

What themes did Diane Arbus explore in her work?

Arbus explored themes of identity, otherness, conformity, difference, and the human condition. She was fascinated by how people construct their identities, as well as the masks and realities individuals present to the world, whether through societal roles or personal expressions.

Where can I see Diane Arbus's work?

While original prints are housed in museums globally, including MoMA, her work is widely accessible through publications like Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph. Traveling exhibitions also feature her photographs, and you can find information about her life and work on Wikipedia.

How did Diane Arbus capture such psychological intensity?

Arbus achieved psychological intensity by engaging deeply with her subjects, often befriending them rather than objectifying them. This allowed her to capture moments of vulnerability, honesty, and raw emotion that revealed the inner lives and complexities of the individuals she photographed.