Saw an Edward Weston Exhibit Yesterday

[Anscojohn]

In the early 1970s, the art museum in Cincinnati hung an example of Pepper Nr. 30 for a time. After practically putting my nose in the print (I swear, it looked as if one could reach around behind the pepper-image) I sat down and could not stop looking at it. It kept me awed and intranced or twenty minutes or so. I could not leave it.

 

[nolanr66]

I was in Carmel-by-the-sea today and went to 2 different photo galleries. The first was the "Exposed Gallery". This gallery was showing Kim Weston B/W nudes on silver gellatin. There were about 15 prints in there and they were $900.00 per print unframed. Then I went over to "Photography West Gallery" and they have a Weston room with his prints. When I was leaving I asked about them and apparently only 1 of the prints was an original Weston and the other Prints were reproduced by his family. Original negative but a new printing. Also seen were original Ansel Adams and Ruth Bernhard prints and others also. Basically it's a lot to take in quickly and I was just stunned to see so much all at once. The Photography West Gallery does have some things that normal people can afford like sample prints, books and photo cards. I did walk out with a Edward Weston and Ruth Bernhard post cards. I have no idea what prints like this would cost but I am sure it's impressive. All around a great day. I am going back later next month to spend a bit more time there.

 

[Anscojohn]

I've been in Carmel. The family-printed items are not as good as the original prints. I have seen both. I am sure it is the paper.

 

[c6h6o3]

I've been in Carmel. The family-printed items are not as good as the original prints. I have seen both. I am sure it is the paper.

I am sure it is the printer.

 

[stillsilver]

I saw an EW exhibition at the SF MOMA 7 or 8 years ago. It too was dimly lit. But the prints were still outstanding.
Made my stuff look like garbage. I've sharpend my eye and been more critical of my prints since then.

Mike

 

[c6h6o3]

I saw an EW exhibition at the SF MOMA 7 or 8 years ago. It too was dimly lit. But the prints were still outstanding.
Made my stuff look like garbage. I've sharpend my eye and been more critical of my prints since then.

Mike

It really is an outrage how they light some of these shows. The prints spend most of their time in complete darkness so a few more lumens every decade or so when they're mounted in a show is not going to make much archival difference. I don't understand why these curators get so locked up on light damage.

 

[JBrunner]

There really isn't a mechanism that can truly duplicate a large format contact print into any other medium. This is fully realized when you see a good one in person.

As far as if a reproduction matters or not, I view a print by a master such as EW as I would view any work of art. Even if you could exactly duplicate it, it isn't the original, anymore than a perfect reproduction of any other artwork could be.

 

[erikg]

It really is an outrage how they light some of these shows. The prints spend most of their time in complete darkness so a few more lumens every decade or so when they're mounted in a show is not going to make much archival difference. I don't understand why these curators get so locked up on light damage.

Yeah, it really is the triumph of the conservator over the artist. These standards have become highly disseminated and rigid. Since most of these larger touring shows are made up of works loaned from numerous other institutions and individuals the loan agreements stipulate the light levels so even if the host curator would like to do otherwise, they cannot. Like it or not, artwork is seen as an investment so when the experts say this is what you have to do to protect it, you do it. I work in a museum, we have Westons in the collection in fact, and when you consider how the artists themselves would like to view their own work, it does get to you. I feel the same. The best thing to do is to give your eyes time to adjust. Maybe improvements in Museum glass will allow light levels to go back up someday.

Not to make you guys jealous or anything, but it's pretty great to be able to lift the mat on a Weston, (or Siskind etc.) and see the whole object, sometimes literally in your own hands. Nothing like the real thing indeed.