Martin Parr (non BS)

Colin Corneau · Nov 26, 2019

Ian Grant said:
I think people who don't like Martin Parr's work need to write a short essay on why

Perhaps his work is too close to their own perceived life style so it's disturbing. I did at first but then saw he was right and I only just crosse ito his view. He will go down in history as being one of the most important UK photographers in his era.

Ian

Frankly it'd be a very short essay...it's hard to go beyond "it just bores me", it seems.

I will say that the rationalization of much of his work is very threadbare -- "the dirty face of a coalminers juxtaposed with blah blah"....I'm not sure if that's a reflection on his work or the people trying to explain his work.

awty · Nov 27, 2019

jtk said:
Trenchant observation. And don't forget their attempt at democracy in this era.

Great word, will have to remember that one.
Democracy doesn't work well with apathy and ignorance. Fortunately in Australia voting is compulsory, so minority populism never goes too far.
Parr is very perceptive both in subject mater and presentation, people like to laugh at themselves and others (mostly at others), the use of saturated colours gets peoples attention and he has good subject mater to hold it for awhile. Magnum will die like a lot of old fraternities if it doesn't move with the times, judging from his photography I say he understands this. Most young photographers have no interest in the dead photographers, they have little relevance in the modern world.
Personally I prefer a more subtle approach, like his more early olden day stuff.

Hilo · Nov 27, 2019

Ian Grant said:
I was hesitant about Martin Parr's work initially, but it's a valid approach and more akin to Cartier Bresson's Decisive Moment than Philip Griffin Jones who I don't rate as highly as Don McCullen or Robert Capa who was another founder of Magnum like Bresson.
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Ian Grant said:
I was hesitant about Martin Parr's work initially, but it's a valid approach and more akin to Cartier Bresson's Decisive Moment than Philip Griffin Jones who I don't rate as highly as Don McCullen or Robert Capa who was another founder of Magnum like Bresson.

If art and photography weren't diverse life would be boring. I now appreciate Martin Parr's work and enjoy it, it's also an important part of documenting life. I van understand why some don't like his work.

Ian

It is Philip Jones Griffiths

blockend · Nov 27, 2019

Magnum's objection to Parr was like folk music's disdain for Dylan. 1) Colour 2) Electricity. Knee jerks. If Parr had still been shooting black and white http://www.martinparr.co.uk/non.htm Magnum wouldn't have the same jitters. Whatever the sentiments around his work, Martin Parr's* exhaustive 3-volume history of the photobook will assure his status the photographic canon.

*not forgetting Gerry Badger

macfred · Nov 27, 2019

I really like Parr's black and white work - I own his book from the Prestwich Mental Hospital and another one -can't find it right now- with photographs from Manchester in the 70's - great stuff !
Magnum link to a collection of b/w photographs he took : https://www.magnumphotos.com/theory...artin-parr-black-and-white-ireland-photobook/

tezzasmall · Nov 27, 2019

If nothing else, like him or not, Mr Parr does get 'talked' about a lot!

Personally, I like some of what I've seen and not other bits particularly.

Terry S

GLS · Dec 14, 2019

I've never understood the appeal of Parr either. With possibly one or two exceptions his photos do absolutely nothing for me. I find his work neither interesting or intelligent, and at best all it evokes in me is a mild irritation. Harsh? Perhaps, but that's my honest opinion.

jtk · Dec 14, 2019

GLS said:
I've never understood the appeal of Parr either. With possibly one or two exceptions his photos do absolutely nothing for me. I find his work neither interesting or intelligent, and at best all it evokes in me is a mild irritation. Harsh? Perhaps, but that's my honest opinion.

Fwiw I disdain "honest opinions" because they more they express ego at the expense of thought. Me, I don't find much of Paar's work appealing, mostly because I'm looking for something unique, perhaps more drama, and I'm aware of that. Paar may be too subtle for me.

GLS · Dec 14, 2019

jtk said:
Fwiw

Not much when what follows is expressed so bluntly.

jtk · Dec 15, 2019

"my honest opinion" introduces ignorance or deceit.

Ian Grant · Dec 15, 2019

Perhaps it's worth remembering Martin Parr was elected a full member of Magnum by his peers, existing full members of Magnum.

Threads like this have actually made me realise Parr's work while diametrically the opposite of the way I see, think, and work is important, brilliant and more important;y a very valid way of looking at how others behave.

It's worth looking at some of John Goto's work, an artist who uses photography as his medium I saw his superb exhibition Ukadia in 2003 at the Djanogly Art Gallery, Nottingham, I'd seen his powerful Terezin exhibition a few years earlier.

There's different ways of looking at the world and life, it's important to have an open mind, and go see work you might not like (if not too far out of your way). It's worth reading some of John Berger's books like - Ways of Seeing.

Ian

Martin Parr (non BS)

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