Friedlander as Decoration

david b · Mar 25, 2009

There is a new hotel in NYC that uses giant Friedlander prints as interior design decoration. Kind of cool.

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Tony Egan · Mar 25, 2009

The library bar looks very inviting! Interesting that they call him "legendary artist" in the spiel rather than photographer. Have you seen anything to suggest he was consulted or was personally involved in any way? I was thinking through the copyright and production process of the lightboxes?

bill schwab · Mar 25, 2009

Tony Egan said:
Have you seen anything to suggest he was consulted or was personally involved in any way?

Having done large installations of this type for corporate offices and hotels, I am pretty sure you can assume he was consulted.

david b · Mar 25, 2009

Consulted and compensated, I am sure.

SuzanneR · Mar 25, 2009

I'd like to be so consulted.. and compensated.. , and they'd be welcome to call me a legendary artist or whatever, as long as the check clears!

Good for him.

Trask · Mar 25, 2009

Can't say I like most of Friedlander's photos. Saw a big exhibit of his stuff about two years ago, he had a bunch of big prints where he'd taken an SWC and shot pictures of bushes without leaves. About the same you'd get if you gave an SWC to a 5-year old in your backyard in winter and let him push the button. I left generally unimpressed.

Arvee · Mar 25, 2009

Trask, I think that exhibit was the series he did in Tucson where he photographed the AZ desert plants. He deliberately overexposed and overdeveloped to give the strong impression of an overheated and parched desert landscape. He talked about it at the Center for Photography in Tucson when he exhibited there. I wasn't terribly impressed either, seemed out of character compared to his other wok.

-F.

winger · Mar 25, 2009

I just saw a much more comprehensive exhibit of his work in Cleveland, OH and I really liked it. There were some that I didn't like as much as others (probably the same as you, Trask), but there was a lot of variety and humor (especially in the street shots).
And I second what Suzanne said.

2F/2F · Mar 25, 2009

I'd do the same if I could afford it. He would be my favorite photographer if I had to settle on one.

Tony Egan · Mar 26, 2009

winger;[URL="javascript:void(0)" said:
773793[/URL]] but there was a lot of variety and humor (especially in the street shots).

I agree on the humour which I think is overlooked sometimes. I have the exhibition book from the 2005 MOMA show (which also doubles as a barbell.)
What comes across to me is a restless, relentless explorer searching for that elusive something which will never actually be found and sharing a joke or two along the way. It's the old adage about the journey, not the destination. There's a Yosemite shot which rivals Ansel Adams but why do that for the rest of one's life when there's so much in the world to explore? I wonder if any of the light boxes are of his self-portraits or nudes? Now that would be courageous... yes sir, you are in the reflection of weird looking guy with camera and shadows room. Enjoy your stay.

david b · Mar 26, 2009

I will be in NYC in 10 days and found out about this place after making reservations at another place. I am going to make a visit though.

white.elephant · Mar 27, 2009

I love his work. I find that while I am looking at his work, I can almost hear him chuckle.

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