Cartier-Bresson at MOMA

[asp.artist]

Saw this listed. Looks interesting, when I have time............

MoMA The Museum of Modern Art Last night's roundtable discussion on The Charlie Rose Show about MoMA's Cartier-Bresson exhibition is now online: http://bit.ly/cz1BXz


Anne

 

[Shawn Rahman]

I saw the show during member previews last weekend, and I must say it is spectacular and almost overwhelming. I don't particularly like the way the photos are laid out - the space simply isn't big enough for the large number of prints being exhibited - but they are simply amazing to look at, even the ones from the 1930s. I counted around 40-50 pictures I have never seen, and I think I've seen everything that has been printed in book form, so there is a lot of "new" stuff to look at even for the die-hard HCB fan.

The exhibition catalog book is quite a wonder to behold - by far the best comprehensive volume of HCB ever printed.

 

[billbretz]

Visitors to MOMA in the next ten days can also see more than two dozen large-scale Polaroid images by Tim Burton, part of the more than 700 pieces of his on exhibit in the show devoted to his work. It's only up through April 26. The Burton exhibit is crowded and requires advance ticketing, (maybe even sold out?) but the Polaroids are displayed in a separate, much less trafficked area on a whole different floor requiring no ticket. Personally, I've only seen huge (20x24") polaroids prints on occasion, and never so many at once. Was very impressed. (Didn't get to see the HCB exhibit, which was being staged when I visited, but did get to see the ICP version a few years ago and it was great).

Shawn - I can imagine the HCB exhibit was a tight fit... Burton, save for the 'roids, was simply in a space far too small for the amount of work shown, especially with the crowds it was drawing.

 

[naugastyle]

I'm really looking forward to it. Wondering if anyone made it to the talk with Gilles Peress last night? I missed buying my ticket by one day...it was available last Monday, decided to wait to hear back from a friend who might be interested, Tuesday decided to go alone and...sold out.

 

[asp.artist]

The link I posted is an interview on charlie Rose. Still haven't had time to get past the intro.

 

[naugastyle]

I'm referring to a discussion actually held at the museum last night. I can't view your link, videos blocked at my office.

 

[fschifano]

I also saw the HCB exhibit during member previews, and I agree, it is definitely worth a look. As for the complaints about the space being too small, well that's New York for you. Big city, lots of people, expensive real estate; that's just the way it is. Be glad that we have some of the best of the best here and deal with the rest. For those who like to experience the arts, in all forms, it sure beats the heck out of being where it's not available. To be sure, there are other US cities with museums comparable to those we have in NY; but nowhere is there the concentration and variety of such institutions that we have here.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Saw Charlie Rose last night on the exhibition. Bresson fans should watch it. Charlie Rose also interview HCB back in 2000 and 2003. It's a great interview.

 

[MattKing]

Here is a link to one of the Charlie Rose interviews of Cartier-Besson, with an introductory discussion with Richard Avedon:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4074157481455007235#

EDIT: plus a revised link to the most recent Charlie Rose show on the Cartier-Bresson show at the MOMA:

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10966

 

[jp80874]

I also saw the HCB exhibit during member previews, and I agree, it is definitely worth a look. As for the complaints about the space being too small, well that's New York for you. Big city, lots of people, expensive real estate; that's just the way it is. Be glad that we have some of the best of the best here and deal with the rest. For those who like to experience the arts, in all forms, it sure beats the heck out of being where it's not available. To be sure, there are other US cities with museums comparable to those we have in NY; but nowhere is there the concentration and variety of such institutions that we have here.

For the unfortunate unwashed,
“The exhibition travels to The Art Institute of Chicago, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), and the High Museum of Art, Atlanta.”
moma.org

John Powers

 

[mhanc]

I saw the exhibit last Sunday morning. It is quite expansive and a whole lot to take in at one time. Almost more of a historical/cultural tour spanning 5 decades given the huge number of prints. Fairly crowded as well, so I would recommend going on a weekday morning if possible. All-in-all it is probably THE definitive collection and exhibition of HCB.

 

[SuzanneR]

I'm hoping to get down to NYC sometime before it closes in June. I saw the second half of the Charlie Rose show, which was interesting despite the irritation factor of Mr. Rose, but I think Peter Schjedahl's recent piece for the New Yorker is a good read, and a little less fawning than Charlie Rose.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/criti.../100419craw_artworld_schjeldahl?currentPage=1

 

[36cm2]

Saw this today. Excellent exhibit. Very expansive collection and a broad view of his works over time. Never realized that he stopped printing his own work after the 30s. His portrait of Stieglitz is all the more captivating in person. Work in the southern Meditteranean, particularly Salerno, was also haunting. Definitely worth the trip.

 

[billbretz]

Frank -
Relax. I love NY, too. The space being very tight, though, is a valid criticism - whether the exhibit is showing in Manhattan or Manitoba. Fuhgedaboudit!

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Thanks for posting the link. I should have done so in the first place. May I add that folks in NY are so lucky living so close to MOMA. I hope the show travels west to California where I live.

 

[jp80874]

Thanks for posting the link. I should have done so in the first place. May I add that folks in NY are so lucky living so close to MOMA. I hope the show travels west to California where I live.

the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

 

[36cm2]

May I add that folks in NY are so lucky living so close to MOMA.

Hmmmm. I'll be sure to have you over the next time I have to shovel 22" of snow or pump 6" of water out of my flooded basement. Afterward we can visit the MOMA to your hearts content! Not complaining, mind you. Everywhere has its benefits and challenges.

Catch the show wherever you can, but if you can't then the accompanying book is also very good. In my mind, it wasn't an exhibit where looking at the original prints blows your mind immensely more than seeing good reproductions.

 

[mhanc]

In my mind, it wasn't an exhibit where looking at the original prints blows your mind immensely more than seeing good reproductions.

I agree. Very glad I went -- but seeing the actual prints didn't change my life.

 

[marcmarc]

I'm so glad that SFMoMA will be exhibiting this. Along with the the Recent Robert Frank "Looking In" exhibit and the previous Lee Friedlander exhibit, SFMoMA is definitely on the right track for showing these great photographers on the west coast. I live in LA but have relatives in the bay area, so I will certainly spend the day visiting this. I also agree that seeing actual prints in person has a much stronger effect then seeing them in a book. Every time I see a photographers work in person, I always walk away with greater admiration for them.