100 Years of Avedon
2023 marks the centenary of photographer Richard Avedon's birth. Avedon, celebrated for his talent in both fashion and portrait photography, possessed a unique ability to infuse his photographs with a captivating sense of performance. He once wrote, "portraiture is performance," encapsulating his belief in the dynamic interplay between subject and artist. His Autobiography and monographs, a sampling of which are included in this exhibition, serve as explorations of his acclaimed career.
in 1979, the Carter commissioned the project In the American West, which would later premiere at the Carter in 1985. For the project Avedon embarked on a transformative journey spanning six years, traversing 13 states and 189 towns from Texas to Idaho. During this period, Avedon photographed and captured the essence of hundreds of everyday individuals across the western United States. He employed his iconic photographic style previously reserved for celebrities and politicians. To this day, In the American West stands as one of the most significant photographic undertakings of the twentieth century, garnering widespread attention. The project's photographs resulted in the landmark photobook publication of the same name and graced the pages of numerous publications, including Vogue and Texas Monthly, all of of which are included in 100 Years of Avedon.
100 Years of Avedon will be on view at the Research Library of the Carter from September 30, 2023 - January 31, 2024.
100 Years of Avedon (Sept 30, 2023 - Jan. 31, 2024)
